Things To Do While Camping In Glacier National Park, Montana
| December 24, 2011 | Posted by admin under Outdoors |
There are so many things to do while camping in Glacier National Park, Montana, it might take recurrent trips to get it all in. In the continental US, there is nothing like the beauty of northwest Montana, with Glacier Park being just a part of the endless, scenic landscape. Though Glacier gets tourists during the summer, there is plenty of elbow room and remote seclusion to enjoy, unlike more popular parks that become bumper to bumper parking lots during tourist season.
When you are planning to go camping in Glacier, even choosing a campground can impact your overall experience. Glacier National Park is very remote, but campgrounds fill up quickly during its short summer season. At the same time, outlying towns that surround the park might be too populated or urban, if you are hoping for a vacation in the primitive wilderness. Whether you plan to tent camp or travel in an rv, take time to find the right setting for the camping experience you desire. There are plenty of state and national forest sites throughout northwest Montana, too, which are very primitive. The key is to take your time researching rv parks and campgrounds, to be sure you are staying in a campsite that meets your unique needs.
Glacier National Park is truly nature’s playground, so the first activity you should do is spend at least a few days exploring the park itself. Due to snowfall and the high elevation, plan your camping trip in July or August to ensure the famous Going To The Sun Road is open to tourists. Glacier National Park is only accessible in its entirety a few months per year.
In Glacier Park you will find some of the most beautiful scenery on earth, in addition to charming villages inside of the park that consist of gift shops and restaurants. Some of the most famous visitor sites are at the entrances in West Glacier, East Glacier, St. Mary, Lake McDonald and Apgar Village. Going To The Sun Road will take you not only through these villages, but it will give you the only access to view the complete scenery of Glacier. Incredibly steep and narrow, this road will take you on a tour that you will want to see again and again. If you don’t want to drive it yourself, Glacier Park offers tours in vintage red buses, called Jammers, so you can relax and enjoy the ride.
Glacier National Park, aside from Going To The Sun and all of the charming villages and tourist sites, is covered in hiking trails to explore. Again, Glacier is so large that it is impossible to see it all in one trip. But you can take short or long hikes and park rangers and information centers are glad to assist you in finding a trail to match your skill level. Just be aware that Glacier Park has a large population of wildlife, including grizzly bears, so be sure to carry bear spray when hiking anywhere in northwest Montana, even outside of Glacier’s boundaries.
The addictive part of camping in northwest Montana is that no matter which direction you drive, there is always something to see or do. Over on the West Glacier side of the park, the surrounding communities offer activities for all different types of campers. There are family activities, such as go-carts, water slides and helicopter tours over the park. However, if you prefer more remote wilderness and solitude, you can drive into the wild within minutes, and find hidden mountain lakes and dense forest where no tourists are around.
Whitefish, Montana is close to the West Glacier entrance. It is a popular ski resort in winter, but in summer months, you can drive up to the top of Big Mountain and take a gondola up even further, with an absolutely breathtaking view from the top. If you are an athletic type, you can drive and then hike or bike your way to the visitor center, instead of taking the gondola or chairlift to the summit. Whitefish even has a beautiful beach, with crystal blue water and mountains all around.
Finally, if you still like connection to urban life when camping, Kalispell, Montana has all of the retail stores you are familiar with, in addition to a large cinema, restaurants, night life and more. It still has a smaller town type of charm, but has plenty to do and see, no matter what you are looking for where entertainment and activity are concerned.
When taking a camping trip to Glacier National Park, everywhere you look will produce a gorgeous view and perfect photo opportunity. Glacier Park and the surrounding communities have activities to please any type of camper. From going off into the remote wilderness and roughing it, to children playing at a water park when camping with family, northwest Montana is the perfect place for camping, because it truly has it all.
An Easy Checklist, When Preparing For A Camping Trip
| December 22, 2011 | Posted by admin under Outdoors |
Preparing for a camping trip is the most important step in ensuring you will have a wonderful vacation in the great outdoors. Even forgetting something as insignificant as a hammer or matches, when trying to set up your tent or start a fire in your campsite, can put a damper on your entire trip. Having a handy checklist, to be sure you don’t leave anything behind, will make certain that you have everything you need when you arrive at your campground.
When preparing for a camping trip, campground amenities can vary widely, so you need to adjust your camping gear accessories accordingly. A remote site in the wilderness, with no showers or running water, is quite a different camp experience than staying at a KOA, with all of the extras already taken care of. Here are the basic, broader considerations of food, water and shelter that you should keep in mind when packing for a camping trip:
Camping Supplies: Shelter
When you will be preparing for a camping trip outdoors, the first thing that should come to mind is your tent. Most campers remember this important piece of camping gear, but can leave out important extras. Additional tent supplies should include tarps to lay on the ground or to use as a rain fly, tent stakes, sleeping bags, pillows, foam pads and a hammer. Even cleaning supplies like a whisk broom come in handy when tearing down camp. Also consider other tent accessories such as lamps or flashlights for lighting needs.
Preparing for a camping trip should also include other shelters that can make your trip much more comfortable, especially on a rainy vacation. Some suggestions are screened tents, portable privacy tents (if you need to bring a portable toilet and/or solar shower) or even just an open sided shelter, so you can stay out of the rain or sun.
Camping Supplies: Food
Most campers know, when preparing for a camping trip, how to create a grocery list that includes the extras such as condiments and spices, but without the proper camping gear to prepare the food, you could have a real problem. First consider what you will be cooking your food on. This could be a propane or charcoal grill (don’t forget propane, charcoal and/or lighter fluid and matches), a Coleman stove or preparing food over a campfire.
The next essential pieces of camping gear to have in your campsite are cooking items such as pots, pans, spatulas, cutlery and a can opener. In addition, be sure to pack plates, bowls, cups and utensils, so you can enjoy the meal you just cooked. During the meal, you might also need items such as napkins, steak knives and, of course, a table and chairs to sit at, if the campground doesn’t provide picnic tables. When the meal is over, you will need to clean up. You should have a sponge, SOS pads, dish towels, dish soap, dishpan and garbage bags on hand to help you with the task.
Packing the right camping gear for your food also includes planning on how to handle perishable items. Make sure you bring coolers big enough to store all of your groceries, and pick up some bags of ice along the way.
Camping Supplies: Water
Nothing is more important, when preparing for a camping trip, than water. When choosing your campground, be sure to check in advance if they have water spigots available and, if they do, check if it is safe for drinking. If the campsite has easily accessible drinking water, you will only need to pack water containers, so you can carry it from the fountain to your site. There are hard sided containers or collapsible water jugs that will work just fine.
If your campground will not have water, you will need to bring enough for your entire trip. Water, when camping, is not just for drinking. You need water to wash dishes, bathe, brush teeth and even put out a campfire before bed. If you cannot carry all of your water needs in your vehicle, find out in advance where the nearest water supply source is, and bring plenty of empty containers.
Of course, there are other supplies you might want to bring, when preparing for a camping trip. However, covering all bases concerning the basic needs of food, water and shelter will ensure you have a comfortable campsite. Other camping gear ideas include items such as bug spray, umbrellas, towels, a radio, games and clothesline to dry your dishtowels. Most importantly, don’t forget the essential camping gear for the perfect campground experience – marshmallows!
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