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Glacier NP recommendations along route


paul_wasserman

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We are leaving soon for Montana and plan to drive from North Yellowstone to Glacier over about 6 nights. We are thinking 2 nights in Yellowstone (we've been before), 1 on the road, and 3 in Glacier. Based on old posts and other research, we're thinking we'll do Beartooth Highway while in Yellowstone, then head up 89, with maybe a detour to the National Bison Range on the way up.

 

I'm just wondering if there're any other must see detours or routes up that we should consider? I am primarily into landscapes, then wildlife, and funky old towns are fine too.

After Glacier, we'll be heading home on Rt 2 East with limited time, but suggestions for stops along the way would be welcome.

 

Thanks

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IMHO, you can't spend enough time in Yellowstone - love that place. But allow one full day for the Beartooth Highway. It's about 70 miles of mountain ridge from the northeast gate of Yellowstone to Red Lodge, MT at the other end of the highway. There will be lots of seasonal waterfalls at the roadside, particularly at the Yellowstone end. The alpine views, the valley below and the mountains across the valley have enough photo ops to keep you busy. Mountain goats are a good possibility, and small stuff - gophers and chipmunks. The chipmunks are surpizingly good panhandlers - they must have human contact only a few months a year, but they are fearless around people. I have a T-shirt from that trip that reads "Real men don't need guardrails" - you have been warned! There is good lodging in Red Lodge and some nice restaurants, too. Red Lodge to Glacier is almost a full day's drive, depending on where you stay in the Glacier area. We stayed in Kalispell, which has much to offer in the way of lodging options and every restaurant you've heard of. At the time we went last year, rooms inside the park were no longer available. Have fun - I'm jealous.
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After posting, I recalled a good map I found for our trip. Go to

http://beartoothhighway.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Wayfinding-Map-JPEG-June-2-2010.jpg

It marks most stop-spots along the road.

 

Also, take whatever food you think you'll want - there's nothing along the way. The store shown on the map had horrendous prices for minor snacks and restrooms my wife and I refused to go into.

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Every time I've driven the Beartooth was in snow (June and September). We found Helena a good stopping point between Yellowstone and Glacier. The east side of Glacier is spectacular, but accommodations are limited. If you can find lodging on the east side, spend most of your time there.

 

All the hotels in Kalispell were full when we passed through but we found a room in the Kalispell Grand Hotel downtown - 2 blocks from restaurant row. Will reserve there next time we're up there.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Chief Joseph Hwy intersects w Beartooth just north of Yellowstone. It is beautiful also. It goes east and you may be able to hook up with US2.

Also, consider strongly Little Bighorn. Of US battlefields I've visited, this one is different in its feel, for me stronger than Gettysburg.

 

Also, if you can incorporate Devil's Tower, that would be very desirable. If you've never seen it, it should be a bucket-list item.

 

Watch for motorcycles. BT and CJH are two iconic motorcycle roads.

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