Plan your trip to Glacier National Park | The Ultimate Guide

[@bonniefinley3875]

Ash, your wealth of information on Glacier made our stay this past August absolutely flawless! Not to sound like an advertisement, but if anyone is on the fence about purchasing an itinerary, it’s worth its weight in gold when your family STILL can’t stop talking about their favorite trip and how they want to go back! Thank you many times over!! ❤️❤️

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Wow, thanks so much!! That's what it's all about -- having amazing experiences in beautiful places with the people that matter most. Thank you for trusting me with your Glacier vacation!

[@bonniefinley3875]

And if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, can you create a video on how to get your partner to agree to a Yellowstone/Teton trip when he he grew up in Utah and has been to those NPs so many times, but I’ve been only once? Totally kidding, but going to get your itineraries for Yellowstone and Teton the exact second he relents. 🤣

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Haha oh my gosh, those parks are constantly changing. We go yearly and still find new things to see/discover!@@bonniefinley3875

[@NoahOnYT.]

Was planning a whole trip to the west US with a couple friends of mine. Things happened and now it’s just me😭 decided to just go to glacier cause the earth is just too beautiful to miss out on. Leaving in 5 days wish me luck and tysm for this video!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Have an amazing time!

[@lifeskillswithcheryl715]

What a great video!! Your love for Glacier really shines through.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks so much!

[@paulab984]

You're amazing. Not a single "uh" or any verbal fillers...amazing. on top of great presentation skills, the info is FABULOUS! Planning to hit the east side with our RV late July on the way to Alaska and do the west side on the way back in late September. Can't wait to go through your RV guide. Thank you!!!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Very cool! That is such a wonderful idea!!

[@Jaylynnjuarez45]

I recently found your podcast and then found out you had a KZbin account! We’re planning a trip to Glacier this year and this video helped so much! 😊

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I'm so glad! Thanks for your support!

[@paulab984]

Wow! Incredible itinerary! Going to grab one of those! Beautifully laid out as well.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thank you!

[@don8548]

Today is my lucky day to find your site. You explain all details for Glacier NP. Last several days I have tried to get a camp site, but it's very very hard.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It is, but keep trying! And check back for cancellations as it gets closer to your trip.

[@pennycarey2280]

Ash, thank you for this video! Very helpful for our first time visiting Glacier!!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@metarus208]

thank you for this Ashley ... we are going to Glacier NP this weekend

[@stevenbrewer8788]

If you regularly get dirt in your shoes, try an ultralight pair of gaiters, like the ones made by dirty girl gaiters. They work so well!! Thanks for the video!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Haha thanks for the rec!

[@stepheniedavies4384]

Your videos are amazing. Great job and thank you!

[@bobculhane4746]

Ash thank you for all your Glacier videos, so helpful. My brother and I are going there in 2weeks plan to be in the park for 4 days , ty for the Yellowstone and Teton videos also.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Enjoy your trip!!

[@bobculhane4746]

@@DirtInMyShoes we are doing Yellowstone and tetons after Glacier all your knowledge of those areas so helpful. Is there a way we can donate to your channel.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

@@bobculhane4746 Thank you so much! I sell itineraries on dirtinmyshoes.com that help keep my channel running!

[@bobculhane4746]

@@DirtInMyShoes cool will definitely get 1 for Glacier and Tetons

[@bobculhane4746]

@DirtInMyShoes Ash just downloaded my itinerary , so detailed, will be such a big help for me and my brother next week. Thanks again

[@danielling792]

You are absolutely wonderful!

[@jymnmeier3527]

Subbed yesterday while researching how to navigate Glacier, and this comes out the next day

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're so welcome! I'm excited for you to visit Glacier!

[@gabrielalves_music]

Hello, Ash Thank you so much for this very informative video about Glacier. You mentioned in the video that we should make backup reservations outside glacier just to be safe in case we don’t get a spot inside the park. Could you clarify which campgrounds you were referring to that allow you to reserve a year in advance? All the ones we’ve found so far outside are also 6 months in advance. 😬 Thank you in advance.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I know off the top of my head that I've done that at the West Glacier KOA and the St. Mary KOA.

[@gabrielalves_music]

@@DirtInMyShoes thank you for the info and taking the time!

[@vampireslayer1989]

I went to Many Glacier due to your recommendation. It was amazing. We did take the hikers shuttle up Going to the Sun, so avoided to timed entry. Also a good choice due to parking. We stayed at the Many Glacier Hotel. The Twin room was very reasonably priced and comfortable ( with Internet). The "Icing on the cake" was seeing a Grizzly Bear. The Many Glacier Hotel has a small bistro downstairs with cheap lattes, pastries and sandwiches.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@htowncrush]

Amazing video! Thank you for putting together such thorough information!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Of course! Thanks for watching!

[@tfc850]

Thank you so much for the good advice.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome! Enjoy Glacier!

[@SurlyFuriousOne]

Thank you so much for the invaluable information and advice! QQ: As a wheelchair user, where’s the best place to see a Mountain goat? Logan Pass? Thanks in advance 🤠

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yes, we often see them right off the road near Logan Pass!

[@TANGOCHARLIE7377]

Excellent resources online! We benefit from your experience as a ranger! In our late 60's and desires to go see Glacier National Park. With unpredictable snowfalls in winter, we would probably venture from Virginia to see family in Wyoming and then fly to Calgary in September. NPS told me to wait until December to see what transpires with the Reservation System which seems confusing. One question was about the Red Bus and Boat Tours in September. Do they end their services each year at a certain time or date? Secondly, how many times have you encountered bears on the trail hikes that were an obstacle? Thanks!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Some tours/roads/campgrounds in Glacier typically start closing down around mid-September, so that would definitely be something to look into. I would call them directly while they are still running for the season! Bears are common in Glacier, so you'll want to hike with bear spray and make noise.

[@TANGOCHARLIE7377]

Ash, thanks for the reply. Have you had encounters on a trail you were on? I realize we will see them. Did so up in hikes in Alberta we did back in 2017. You did a great job of explaining and I will delve into your website as well. Have been to over 20 national parks so far. Yellowstone was our family favorite. Loved flying from Valemount BC to Mt Robson and flying over the two glacers and then touching down in the park for about an hour- was a bucket list trip for us also back in 2017.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

@@TANGOCHARLIE7377 yes, almost always when hiking in the Many Glacier area especially :) Very cool!

[@hanaleart7339]

Hi young Lady, you have been absolutely superb in informing us newbies about the park. Summer 2024, I plan on coming to visit from Hawaii. One question: I understand I need a vehicle reservation for certain parts of the park, or is it "going to the sun road permit"? I can't remember what type of permits I need and how early I need to purchase them. any insight would be so great!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Hey there! You'll find a full video about the Glacier Reservations on my channel, but that is for 2023. You can watch now to get an idea of what they've been doing/what you might need to do. They won't announce what they plan to do for 2024 until February or so, so stay tuned :)

[@hanaleart7339]

@@DirtInMyShoes appreciate it, will definitely check out the vid and their website

[@gabriellelaha7526]

Hey Ash! We're planning our trip to Glacier this summer, and I actually managed to snag a campsite in Avalanche for 2 of our 3 nights 🎉🎉🎉 I'm wondering - do you know if we would be allowed to use the showers that are in the other park campgrounds, or are only campers in those campgrounds allowed to use them? This wouldn't be such a big deal, except that we have 6 kids and $5/shower adds up pretty quickly! 😅 Thanks for all your info!! It's so much appreciated!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

This is what it says on the Glacier NPS site: The St. Mary, Fish Creek, and Apgar campgrounds have showers only for guests staying at those campgrounds. Many Glacier and Rising Sun campgrounds have showers for purchase from the Swiftcurrent and Rising Sun Campstores. There are also private campgrounds outside the park that sell shower service. Check with the Campground Host to find out where there are showers available near your campground. So technically, no, since you're not staying in a campground with a shower, you would need to find an alt option. We always just swim in Lake McDonald to get the dirt off :)

[@gabriellelaha7526]

I found that info right after I commented! Oops! I have another question for you - do you think we'd be able to fit a 14x12 tent in the campsites at Avalanche? I've read all the reviews, etc that I can find and some people say their site was big they fit 3 tents, and other people say they're small. 😅 It's hard to tell from the photos.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I don't know :( But usually, when a park does list tent pad sizes, the biggest I have seen is 12x12.@@gabriellelaha7526

[@gabriellelaha7526]

@DirtInMyShoes Thank you! I was able to find 18x18 at Yellowstone and 16x16 at Teton. I sent an email to the email address on Glaciers website to ask, but if there not sure, I do have a site booked outside the park in St. Mary where I know we'll for sure fit, just in case. We're driving from Wisconsin, so staying on the east side may be more convenient anyways. Thank you so much for your help!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Wow, those are huge tent sites...thanks for letting me know! And sorry I'm not more help with Glacier on that. We usually have our RV when we're there!@@gabriellelaha7526

[@moonkang2190]

Thanks for the informative video! It is answering so many of our questions😭 We are unsure about one thing though. Our family is staying at Village Inn at Apgar and Many Glacier. Do you know if both stays provides passes for the sun road?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I have a video specifically about the extra reservations that will answer your question in detail, but no -- only the Village Inn will get you on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Your Many Glacier reservation only counts in Many Glacier. Have a great trip!

[@rjshather]

Thank you for another excellent video. Do I need a vehicle reservation to take the Saint Mary Lake Tour?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

If you purchase a boat tour ticket for St. Mary Lake, then you won't need a GTSR reservation for that day.

[@nationrl]

You said in your Yellowstone video that the best time for wildlife and everything was mid April to mid/late June but glacier you say the best time is mid to end July so what would be a good time to go so we get the best of both as well be doing Yellowstone and glacier next summer?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

If you want everything to be open when you go to both parks (especially Glacier), I'd go in mid-July or later.

[@nationrl]

@@DirtInMyShoes even for the wildlife in Yellowstone that you said the best time was April - mid June?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

@@nationrl yes. If you try to hit both parks between April and mid-June, you will not be able to see very much of Glacier because of road closures. I would prioritize having the roads open over the potential of seeing more wildlife. You can still see a lot of wildlife through the summer months, but the warmer temps do make it a little more difficult.

[@eprohoda]

Good morning~ very interesting - :))

[@anindita2816]

How is the WiFi connectivity in the lodges that are inside the National Park? I plan to work and tour, hence need to know.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It's pretty hit and miss. They often do have wifi in the lobby, but not in the rooms. And it doesn't always work. You'd be better off booking something outside of the park probably!

[@jozeflacek7243]

Thank you, very helpful video, I’m planning to go there beginning of August, quick question I saw on other video there is required special vehicles permit which is kind of hard to get, anyone familiar with that?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You'll find a full video about that on the Dirt In My Shoes channel!

[@smarterbythemile]

I have a question that the NPS site doesn’t not make clear. It says if youre camping in the park that reservation counts as you vehicle pass, but does that count for all the entrances? Ie) if you’re camping in many glacier does that only get you into the many glacier entrance or will it also allow you to use GTTSR, Two Medicine, North Fork etc.?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It will only count for that area. So if you're camping in Many Glacier, you will only be able to get in through the Many Glacier entrance. I have a full video on the vehicle reservations if you have more questions!

[@TANGOCHARLIE7377]

Tried to send questions on your website link for questions but it would not send the inquiry to you?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

you can send an email to [e-mail]

[@ddphotoadventure2657]

Hi So does the road in many glacier close like the going to the sun road or is it open all year?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

It closes seasonally as well. It's usually open toward the beginning of June through about the middle of September.

[@ddphotoadventure2657]

@@DirtInMyShoes Ok, Thanks for the info

[@EleonoraBabayants]

I read that a dog can be killed by a wild animal. What trails are safe to go with a service dog? Also, what side of the going to sun road is not next to the gorge, in other words, driving next to the mountain and not next to edge of the road?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You can encounter wildlife on any of Glacier's trails, so that would be your call on where to take a service dog. You'll be on the cliff side of the road primarily as you travel from west to east.

[@EleonoraBabayants]

@@DirtInMyShoes thank you very much for the quick reply, Ash! I guess, I should avoid going on any trails then. Unfortunately, I can't leave my dog at home or with anybody. By cliff, do you mean the edge of the road? If yes, I would want then to go from east to west to avoid being close to the edge. Would you please confirm. Many thanks again!

[@IndianBeauty02]

Can a woman traveling Solo do this trip?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yes, though there are a lot of bears in this park and it's safer to travel in a group, so I would definitely read up on what to do if you see a bear and carry bear spray!