GATEWAY TO GLACIER TRAIL
I realized the ranger gave me the wrong warning. “Be careful,” he should have said. “You might never want to leave.”
Getting There Located in Kalispell, Montana,
about 30 miles from the park’s west entrance, Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) ( iflyglacier.com ) is the most convenient airport, being served by Alaska, Delta and United Airlines. Where to Eat and Drink Getting back to my van that first day, I was hungry as a horse (I told you I’d get that pun in), so I went searching for food. I had a negative experience at the Dam Town Tavern across from the gazebo where I parked, but up the road in Coram, I was pleased to find sustenance at the Paul Bunyan Bar and Grill ( paulbunyanbar.com ), which offered cheap beers and massive cheeseburgers, probably my favorite post-ride combination. Inside the park, there were several places hungry riders could snag a meal. If you’re riding the Going- to-the-Sun-Road, Lake McDonald is your last option for food and drinks. My suggestion would be to buy sandwiches from the general store, West Glacier Mercantile ( glacierparkcollection.com ), and take them with you for a mountain picnic. Where to Stay The Fish Creek Campground ( rtc.li/fish-creek-camp ) is just a few miles from the west entrance to the park and near Going-to-the-Sun Road. I was surprised that there were several open sites surrounding mine, especially when I’d struggled to find a spot where I could stay multiple days. If you’re in an RV, be aware that many of the sites are far from level, so you may have to break out your leveling blocks. If you prefer swankier settings,
you have multiple options. Both Apgar Village Lodge and Lake McDonald Lodge ( glaciernational parklodges.com ) would be great, convenient options for the southern half of the park.
are dozens of hiking trails and photography opportunities throughout Glacier. Where to Rent Without really paying attention, I noticed about a half-dozen places offering e-bikes for rent, both inside and outside the national park. Glacier Outfitters ( goglacieroutfitters.com ) allows you to rent bikes online with just 48 hours' notice. Expect to pay $135 per day for an e-bike, with hybrid and gravel bikes renting for $60 and $75 per day, respectively. •
PHOTOS: The Gateway to Glacier Trail
follows US 2 for about 10 miles to West Glacier Village, crossing from the east side of the road to the west midway through, with a couple of short detours on lightly traveled side roads.
What to See Glacier has a well-earned reputation for being one of
America’s most beautiful national parks. Unfortunately, my visit was a bit too early to hike any of the park’s namesake glaciers. (Next time, I’ll plan my visit for later in the summer.) Even so, there
Robert Annis is an Indianapolis- based freelance writer specializing in cycling and outdoor travel. When he’s not hunched over a keyboard, you are likely to find him pedaling the back roads and trails of the Midwest or traveling around the globe. Find examples of his work on robertannis. contently.com .
FALL 2022 RAILS TO TRAILS
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