Montana Route Advice?

[Ustamiata]

Hi all! We are currently in western North Dakota, headed for Montana and Glacier park. I'm thinking of going from Shelby to West Glacier via route 2 and touring the park in the trusty Liberty from the west side. How is the road around the south of the park? Any giant passes to negotiate? Any recommendations as to parks to stay in on the western side?

Thanks in advance for any comments!

[John Hilley]

You will have no problems on Highway 2. Where are you in North Dakota?

[Ustamiata]

We are in Medora - exploring the Roosevelt National Park.

[Baby Bear]

Same route we took 2 weeks ago, Medora to Glacier. Rt 2 around the south of Glacier shouldn't cause you any problems. You didn't mention the type of MH you have but if you have a DP you will use the engine brake for about 7 miles before you get to Essex. Take your time and it's no problem.
As for campgrounds, there is a good assortment on the west side.
You have to take "The road to the sun" route. It's quite an experience!

[Ustamiata]

Thanks for the input, Baby Bear. Looking forward to the trip!

[John Hilley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustamiata We are in Medora - exploring the Roosevelt National Park.

An interesting day trip is Marmarth, ND. the Pastime Club and Steak House is a great place to eat. It has been written up in several dining magazines. It is about 70 miles south and it is an interesting drive. Can go one way on ND side and other on Montana side.

[DAN L]

check out the isaac walton inn on the south west side of the park. the motif is railroad and the food is excellent. it is a railroad whistle stop. we stayed in the inn for a week about 15 years ago and enjoyed it very much. we used the inn as a base of operations for motorcycle excursions into the park. accommodations are kinda pricey now. there are campgrounds nearby.
you cannot drive your rv over the going to the sun hi-way anymore. i do not know about other vehicles. the road is very narrow with sharp turns and steep dropoffs. we did not want to travel this road in both directions on our motorcycle in the same day. the road around the south end of the park is good 2 lane road and takes less time than the going to the sun hi-way. watch out for wildlife. they do have tours in specially designed open vehicles if the road is open.
we drove into canada and stayed 1 night at Watertown park on the n.e. side of glacier.

[Cruzer]

US-2 is fine on either side of the park as well as around the bottom portion of it. You can stop in Essex and see the mountain goats at Goat Lick on that portion.

A great place to stay on the west side is St Mary. To get there do not take US-89 north out of Browning. It's nothing but twists, turns, and hills and it'll wear both you and the RV out. Instead take 464 north out of Browning and head east on Duck Lake Road. That's get you just north of St Mary and it'll be a much smoother drive and actually get you there faster. The ST Mary KOA is a nice park that we always stay at.

Also, you cannot take the RV on 49 between Kiowa and East Glacier Park. That's limited to cars and small trucks because it goes up and over a mountain.

[skigramp]

I highly recommend

Mountain Meadows RV Park

between Hungry Horse and the south entrance to Glacier ... nice park, run buy a very cool family ...

[Old Rv'er]

If you come south back to the I-90 corridor, in St. Regis, MT there is a great Good Sam Park, 50Amp in all the spots, run by some real nice folks. We have stayed their twice. Hummingbirds all over the place almost run you ragged looking out for them.

Oh, the first pacific weather system is heading into the Pacific NW tomorrow, Monday, Spetember 28th, 2009, which means our weather is going to change from nice to wet and cold. Please be aware that the weather here tomorrow is Montanas weather lots of the time in two days. So to help you here is a link to the Government's weather office main page. Just put in a zip code in the box at the top to get the local forcase for a 5-7 day period. http://www.noaa.gov/ - Montana get snow a lot of the times we only get rain, be prepared please.

Hope you have a safe trip and enjoy the country. It's going to get colder!!!!