We booked a room in Kalispell for an anniversary trip to Glacier NP. Foolish me, I thought we'd just be able to drive through the park no problem, but apparently, you have to have a special ticket to drive Going to the Sun Road, and they're all sold out for the days we're there. We heard we can try getting one two days in advance, but if that fails, we need some suggestions for what to see and do in the Kalispell area in a couple of weeks?
Thanks

Alas, come of the National Parks and sights in them are so popular that if they didn't require reservations and passes that traffic and congestion would make them unusuable. Especially the ones close-ish to big cities and population centers.

Sorry to hear it. I don't know what to suggest in the area.

Hopefully 'mcrimm' sees this because he lives in Kalispell and would be a great resource for you.

Jim

I grew up in Kalispell and live an hour away now. First I've heard of needing a special ticket to drive the road, but it wouldn't surprise me. The main reason I haven't visited the park other than on a helicopter in over 20 years is the traffic (vehicular and pedestrian). Perhaps the NPS is finally doing something about the traffic issue.

When are you planning on going? The road won't even be open until probably late June.

If you're really unable to drive Going-To-The-Sun, and still want to see the park, take US 2 along the south border to East Glacier. Then head north to St. Mary and into Many Glacier (see clubleaf's Moment of Zen post this past week... Moment of Zen) . You can also go further north up around Chief Mountain which is a nice view (even better from the top ).

You can also head up the west side on the North Fork road to Polebridge (or further north to the border) and then drive down the Camas Road coming out at Lake McDonald/West Glacier.

Going-To-The-Sun is a beautiful drive and kind of one of those things that you want to say that you did, but honestly, you can see most of Glacier's grandeur from either or both of the above routes.

Enjoy it! I was planning to be over there in two weeks to check the place out as my primary move choice.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

You can also head up the west side on the North Fork road to Polebridge (or further north to the border) and then drive down the Camas Road coming out at Lake McDonald/West Glacier.

That's my advice as a local. Do hit Polebridge for the best off-the-grid bakery items. Huckleberry Bearclaws rule! The Going to the Sun road should be open earlier then normal this year as the plows have reached the summit. Feel free to PM me for any other info. Oh, look at Gypsy Tour App for a really well done narrative as you drive through the park,

Mike

Are the busses running?

Silent

Not yet. Not until the GTTS road opens later this month.

Thanks everyone for the good advice. Sounds like there's enough up there to keep us busy.

As spectacular as the Sun road is there are a couple other options

St Mary Lake/ Two Medicine. Looking Glass Rd from Kiawah Junction to East Glacier, North fork of the Flathead. (Kintla and Bowman Lake areas my personal favorite area)

Drive through the Cabinets, through Swan Valley

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
North fork of the Flathead. (Kintla and Bowman Lake areas my personal favorite area)

I agree. This park entrance is just past Polebridge but does no longer give access to the rest of the park. The connecting road washed out a number of years ago and the park chose not to fix it. This is a shame because this 2-track road was beautiful.

The roads to the 2 lakes are gravel and generally poorly maintained. An SUV or pickup would have no trouble on the roads though.

Don't forget the huckleberry bearclaw at Polebridge.

Here's a link to plow locations and road status.
https://www.nps.gov/applicatio...tsroadplowstatus.cfm

Sadly GNP. has been discovered...downhill from here.

quote:

Originally posted by Silent:
Are the busses running?

Silent

I've never run from a buss

West side buses start June 11; East side buses on June 27.

Red Bus Info

You can still get in the entrances after 5pm I believe without a ticket. Not sure when you booked your room, but Logan pass isn't open yet. My grandfather who used to be the supervisor of roads there would have had it cleared by now if he was still there... Might as well just wait for the snow to melt as he would say...

https://twitter.com/GlacierNPS.../1402715446642548736
Still plowing today. No projected opening date for the Sun Road.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DonDraper,

Don't know when you are arriving, but the big red buses are starting up.

https://www.glaciernationalpar...YsHECXktUD6QrJW4g%3D

Hope you have a great time. I was just up in the Flathead again and did not want to leave.

Never been to Kalispell, but I did 4 days at GNP. My photos are in this Collection: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157635037593408/

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by bearstarr:
Don't know when you are arriving, but the big red buses are starting up.

https://www.glaciernationalpar...YsHECXktUD6QrJW4g%3D

Hope you have a great time. I was just up in the Flathead again and did not want to leave.

We looked into those, but, unfortunately, they're all booked.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
Never been to Kalispell, but I did 4 days at GNP. My photos are in this Collection: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157635037593408/

flashguy

Your Logan Pass pictures are fantastic!

quote:

Originally posted by 4x5:

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
Never been to Kalispell, but I did 4 days at GNP. My photos are in this Collection: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157635037593408/

flashguy

Your Logan Pass pictures are fantastic!

Thank you very much! I was there (riding the red busses) on an AMTRAK rail tour.

flashguy

If anybody here has a Swiss rifle of any kind, remember that Swiss Products are based in Kalispell.

Their range of useful accessories for the G11, K11 and K31 is unmatched, AND they sell direct - no profit-eating middle-men/women/persons.