Community Forums

scottandanna · 05-12-2016, 04:01 PM

We have a chance to go to Glacier this summer, but when I read about it on Wikipedia, it says all hiking trails are "No dogs allowed", and the Going-to-the-sun road cannot handle vehicles longer than 21 feet and 8' wide.

That does not sound like something that we (dog owners, and full-time trailer people) would enjoy.

Has anyone been there, and can you tell us Yay or Nay about going?

We like to hike, fish, and drive scenic drives, but if we have to leave our dog in the trailer, it is not for us.

krivanj · 05-12-2016, 04:15 PM

No dogs on the hiking trails.. Most western national parks are that way. Interestingly, Waterton National Park, which is the part of Glacier that is in Canada, allows dogs everywhere!
You will have to camp at one end or the other and drive without the trailer on the Going to the Sun Highway. Still worth it as it is spectacular! Take the dog on driving days, leave to hike.

coupevilleDF · 05-12-2016, 04:18 PM

We loved the park and took our dog in the toad. We did not do back country hiking, so that was not a problem l there were lots of dogs outside at the visitor's center so they are welcome in the common areas.

I think most, if not all, national parks have dog restrictions for the safety of wildlife and your pets.

twogypsies · 05-12-2016, 04:19 PM

Dogs are not allowed on most hiking trails in national parks. It's not only Glacier. Have you not visited any of our national parks yet?

Yes, there's a limit for Going-To-The-Sun Rd. - for a reason. A bigger RV would not be able to negotiate it.

However, that road is not the only way to experience Glacier. There are plenty of activities at both the eastern and western sections of the park with other roads to explore. It is definitely recommended that you experience Going-To-The-Sun Road though and you can do that by taking the free shuttle bus and getting on and off whenever you want or else take an official tour. You can also drive it yourself without the big RV.

It's a beautiful park and it would be a shame to pass it up. Check out the official web site for lots of good information, including about the road and pets.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

scottandanna · 05-12-2016, 04:21 PM

OK, we already have reservations, and are following a bride and groom there after their wedding for a pre-honeymoon honeymoon (main honeymoon is Bora Bora, and we are not going there!).

And since we are doing Glacier for a couple of days, we will head down to Yellowstone for a couple days before heading back toward Oregon.

I was just wondering if we should cancel the Glacier/Yellowstone part of our summer, but if you all say it is worth the trip, we will do it.

Also hitting Coeur d'Alene for a couple days on the way over from the wedding in Seattle.

Gonna be a nice trip!!!

scottandanna · 05-12-2016, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Dogs are not allowed on most hiking trails in national parks. It's not only Glacier. Have you not visited any of our national parks yet?

Yes, there's a limit for Going-To-The-Sun Rd. - for a reason. A bigger RV would not be able to negotiate it.

However, that road is not the only way to experience Glacier. There are plenty of activities at both the eastern and western sections of the park with other roads to explore. It is definitely recommended that you experience Going-To-The-Sun Road though and you can do that by taking the free shuttle bus and getting on and off whenever you want or else take an official tour.

It's a beautiful park and it would be a shame to pass it up. Check out the official web site for lots of good information, including about the road and pets.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

We have been stuck in Texas since we were kids, so NO, we have not visited any National Parks. We are going into semi-retirement for the summer, full-timing, and NOT coming back to Texas. We will settle down in Oregon or Washington, but not on this side of the Great Divide. We need more nature, cooler and drier weather, and clean air and water. None of which we have here in Southeast Texas.

krivanj · 05-12-2016, 04:27 PM

Sites in the park are dry camping, just sayin...

scottandanna · 05-12-2016, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krivanj

Sites in the park are dry camping, just sayin...

We are set up to do that for maybe 3 days, max. Small trailer, small electric supply, and very small holding tanks.

KarenS144 · 05-12-2016, 05:09 PM

Glacier is gorgeous... breathtaking... awesome...

It's something everyone should experience. Unfortunately, our Nat. Parks are not all that dog friendly so dogs must stay on paved surfaces or in the campgrounds AND leashed. You must also pick up poo piles!

Our pups rode along on when we did the Going-to-the-Sun road and were fine.

You'll be in bear country so there are regulations about what you can leave outside and what you must store. Make sure you're "bear aware". The same applies to Yellowstone.

coupevilleDF · 05-12-2016, 05:21 PM

If you need hookups, we chose West Glacier KOA and give it a thumbs up. If you don't have a toad, there are some great tours but I don't know if they are pet friendly.

Carefree · 05-12-2016, 05:28 PM

If you're OK without hookups for a couple of days, I highly recommend staying at "Many Glaciers". It's on the East side of the park. Breath taking scenery and great hiking.

scottandanna · 05-12-2016, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coupevilleDF

If you need hookups, we chose West Glacier KOA and give it a thumbs up. If you don't have a toad, there are some great tours but I don't know if they are pet friendly.

We reserved a spot at Glacier Peaks RV Park. Had good reviews, close to where my friends (non-rv'ers) are staying.

As for the dog rules in the previous post, isnt that "law" no matter where you go? Keep her on a leash, and scoop the poop?

Of course, not everybody follows "the law"...

scottandanna · 05-12-2016, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carefree

If you're OK without hookups for a couple of days, I highly recommend staying at "Many Glaciers". It's on the East side of the park. Breath taking scenery and great hiking.

We are arriving from Seattle and Coeur d'Alene, and our friends are staying in a hotel at Columbia Falls, MT, so we reserved an RV spot near them.

Thanks for all the suggestions, though!

kalynzoo · 05-12-2016, 05:51 PM

Glacier is spectacular. We enjoyed the East side, staying at St.Mary's KOA, though that was a few years ago. The Road to the Sun is NOT RV large vehicle friendly. However, the Red Bus transport through and around the park is excellent, and a great way to tour. National Parks are not pet friendly. No pets in buildings, no pets on trails, and I'll take a wild guess that no pets on the Red Bus. The Canadian side is also spectacular. Waterton, and Lake Louise were memorable. Canada is typically pet friendly, with pet watering stops all around.
But if your into hiking on the US side, you'll have to leave the dog in the rig. :(