Community Forums

Trapper2022 · 07-09-2020, 08:13 PM

Thinking about going to glacier this year. Looks like a lot is closed. Has anyone gone this summer since it opened? How were the crowds? Not interested in being around large crowds. Was it worth going or am I better waiting till next year. Not our first trip to the park but long drive from Houston. Any real life info from people that went this summer is greatly appreciated. Thanks for all replies.

Enjoy the journey

twogypsies · 07-09-2020, 10:28 PM

I'd surely wait on that trip. I assume you've looked at the web site for closures. There's lots.. depending what you'd want to do. The east side is closed completely.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/statusupdate.htm

Ivylog · 07-10-2020, 06:54 AM

Headed West next week getting to Glacier in a month... like the west side so east side being closed by the Indians is not a problem. With 2 big rigs, I made a 10 day advance reservation yesterday (first time in 16 years) as popular places are busy. If it was just my rig, I would not have made a reservation. Once we are out there I may try making reservations a week in advance but only for a day or two each week as the rest of the time we’ll be dry camping.

twojayhawks · 07-10-2020, 07:39 AM

We are booked to visit Glacier for a week in early Sept & plan to follow through.

Busskipper · 07-10-2020, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trapper2020

Thinking about going to glacier this year. Looks like a lot is closed. Has anyone gone this summer since it opened? How were the crowds? Not interested in being around large crowds. Was it worth going or am I better waiting till next year. Not our first trip to the park but long drive from Houston. Any real life info from people that went this summer is greatly appreciated. Thanks for all replies.

Enjoy the journey

JMHO - if you are looking to avoid Crowds you need to be in places that are relatively unknown.

We are in the Southern Rockies now and a Couple weeks ago in Old Faithful could not get a parking spot - was so crowded we just waited for it to thin out then meet our party and left - week before we were the only ones in the parking lot at 7:00 -

IMHO if you want to see the Most Popular parts of America without crowds you are in for a Shock! It's not Likely.

If you want to visit the less popular areas.........then you have a chance - BUT - understand it's Summer and most of America appears to think they are Bullet Proof! We visited The an Juan's and all the Towns were Crowded - Campgrounds are nearly all filled - we have needed to stay in areas with good Internet as son's both need Internet and are working all week, so we have stayed in more upper end CG's and they are filled, with a few open spaces during the week.

One more interesting observation - appears that there are many More weekly and Monthly Campers out there than we had noticed before......just a personal thought.

Have heard so Rummers that NM is starting to re-institute restrictions and 14 day Quarantine - so it is really hard to tell what id really happening - Last Note - the RV is a GREAT Quarantine instrument, private and allows you to live smart.

Best of Luck on whatever you decide, it's still a great country, -

redbaron73 · 07-10-2020, 02:44 PM

I have been here since mid June and plan on being here thru September.

The crowds are far less than last year same time, but the going to sun is not yet open due to the snow.

Parks are closed in the Blackfoot Indian reservation, which includes all of the east glacier campgrounds. Due to that, the west side has filled earlier than typical.

There are still campgrounds with availability, including the newly expanded North American RV Park.

When the G2S opens, the only entrance will be from the west, as the east entrance will be closed. This also restricts access to many glacier and two medicine.

Polebridge is filling to capacity daily by 10am. Arriving at 6am you get your choice of any of the lakes, but by 8 am you are running risk of being directed to a specific lake.

There is so much national forest and other areas to explore and see that are just as good as gnp, that there is no reason to cancel a trip this year.

Enjoy Life, its the only one you get here on earth.

redbaron73 · 07-10-2020, 06:29 PM

G2S will open July 13, 2020

scbwr · 07-11-2020, 06:19 AM

I wanted gamble on it unless the cost of the trip is of no concern. We had hopes of making a trip to see the parks in Utah, but we won't pursue that until this crisis has passed. For now, any trips we plan will be to places that aren't major tourist attractions where crowds will be an issue. My priority would be to go to places where we can safely enjoy the outdoors and enjoy seeing what we can in a safe manner.

But, if you really want to go, I'll say this. We were there in 2014 and only did the west end as the road to St. Mary's was still closed. If they have the park open, you could certainly enjoy it, but be prepared to encounter crowds at most places where you will stop and park, so I'd be prepared with face masks. The KOA at the western entrance is a great park, and you could certainly stay there safely.

If going to Glacier is just part of a larger trip plan, then that would be another factor to consider. All you can do is check out all the restrictions in place and decide what will work for you.
Good Luck!

Ridemist · 07-16-2020, 01:15 AM

Just made reservations today for Aug 26th and 27th at West Glacier KOA. They only had a few spots left for these days. Also, checked North American RV park and they had availability, too. We'll take a chance on the crowds.

scbwr · 07-16-2020, 05:11 AM

Have a great trip! Just be safe and wear a face mask when around people. The Covid virus certainly won't alter the beauty of Glacier National Park. It's one of those places I hope to revisit. And, you'll be impressed with the landscaping of the West Glacier KOA...one of the best campgrounds we've been in that's designed for a lot of sites but still attempts to provide a nice spot for each camper.

Trapper2022 · 07-16-2020, 06:08 AM

Thanks for replies. Changed plans and will skip GNP this year. Not interested in being around crowds this year. Going to the Colorado mountains to practice social distancing. Safe travels to all.

Enjoy the journey

Busskipper · 07-16-2020, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trapper2020

Thanks for replies. Changed plans and will skip GNP this year. Not interested in being around crowds this year. Going to the Colorado mountains to practice social distancing. Safe travels to all.

Enjoy the journey

Good luck in Colorado - all the folks in the Cities are coming to the Mountains - Very Spotty use of the Masks.

We have been From Dino in Colorado to Montrose/Ouray/Silverton on out through Gunnison into Salida south into NM and Back to Buena Vista and Leadville - All the CG's are filled with a few Mid week openings and all the NFS and state Parks are fuller than Normal - IMHO - even the dispersed Camping is requiring some Luck.

So you will have many opportunities to Practice your Social Distancing, as it is indeed Crowded, just about everywhere, we have been.

Still Colorado - Still as Beautiful as Ever - looking at those Rockies never will get Old.

Best of Luck,

Trapper2022 · 07-18-2020, 03:50 PM

Thanks Busskipper

Your right for a two week stay we are in 4 rv parks. None could give us a week so we took what we could get and will move around a bit. Staying around Durango and Pagosa Springs. Bring the Jeep so plan to do trails and hiking. Staying out of towns except to get gas and groceries. Do our own cooking. Like you said still a beautiful area. Take care.

Enjoy the journey