amping
can involve anything from sleeping on the ground in a tiny tent after a grueling backpack
trip to carefully adjusting the satellite dish on a luxury RV’s roof for best TV
reception. Although both these
scenarios have their advantages, most people are happy with something that falls between
these extremes. But no matter where on the adventure scale your preferences lie, you'll be
able to find something to suit you in Glacier Park. Whether you're camped in a
remote backcountry area or a roadside campground, you'll find they share stunning scenery
and available activities ranging from casual to high adventure.
Glacier has many
excellent campgrounds, but one of our favorites is at Many Glacier in the northeast part
of the park. Surrounded by gorgeous scenery, it provides access to great hiking trails and
fishing. A spectacular Alpine style lodge on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake has a gift
shop and restaurant as part of its amenities. Guided horseback rides are available and
Glacier Park boat company offers launch tours of Swiftcurrent and Josephine lakes. Bighorn
sheep and mountain goats are often visible on nearby Altyn Peak and Mount Henkel, and
lucky visitors may glimpse a majestic grizzly bear. Unlucky visitors may get chewed on by
one. Just kidding! (Sort of).
Bears are an issue that we should probably look at right away, because it tends to
weigh heavily on people’s minds. Glacier has one of the highest concentrations of
grizzlies in the U.S. It is also an undeniable fact that people have been injured and
killed by bears in the park. With that said, visitors should remember that following a few
common sense precautions will minimize the already slight risk. Food and cooking equipment
should be stored in a vehicle or suspended from one of the available hoists when not in
use. Hikers should not travel alone and should make noise to avoid startling a bear at
close range. I generally carry Counter Assault bear repellent spray, although I’ve never had
to use it and hopefully, never will. More detailed precautions to follow in bear country
are given to all visitors upon entering the park. Bear in mind, (so to speak), that seeing
a grizzly is not a common experience. I have camped and hiked in Glacier for about 35
years and can still count the grizzlies I’ve seen on my fingers. They are awesome
animals and seeing one is one of the greatest thrills the park offers. My family and I
were once watching a herd of elk near St. Mary lake when several of them became agitated
and stared into the timber. A large black grizzly emerged and chased the herd across the
meadow. Both the bear and the elk appeared to be casually loping along, and after about a
hundred yards of pursuit, the bear stopped and watched the elk depart. If one of the elk
had appeared crippled or otherwise vulnerable, though, I’m sure the outcome would
have been different. We had a great view of the whole affair through our binoculars, and
I’ll never forget watching the bear’s muscles rippling under his glossy black
hide as he ran. For me, the great bear’s power and grace absolutely personify the
spirit of wilderness that pervades this wonderful country.
The Many Glacier campground lies nestled in the timbered valley bottom beneath the
cliffs of Grinnell Point. Most of Glacier’s campgrounds tend to fill up by late in
the day, so for a good choice of spots visitors should try to arrive no later than
mid-afternoon. A nearby campstore and cafe offer supplies and meals, and cabins are also
available for rent.
Most visitors will want to tour the surrounding area, and several excellent trails
start from the vicinity of the campground. One of the great things about
the Many Glacier area is that most of the trails lend themselves to use by hikers of
varying age and physical condition. Worthwhile attractions are within reach of an easy
walk, while longer hikes lead to alpine high country that will satisfy the most ardent
adventurer. Those unable or unwilling to hike should consider going on a guided horseback
trip. Organized group hikes led by a Ranger Naturalist lead to most of the area
destinations and are a great idea for those who don’t wish to venture out on their
own. Information and schedules for these trips is available at any of the area facilities.
See our hiking page for more details on area trails.
The Many Glacier area holds special memories for me. It’s where I was introduced
to the joys of camping. Art and June Madsen, a retired couple who were friends of my
parents, spent most of each summer at Many Glacier and quite often took me along. The
daily routine usually began with pancakes loaded with fresh huckleberries, followed by a
day of fishing and berry picking. Dinner was often fresh trout, followed by an evening
campfire and visits with their ranger friends. Simple pleasures, but they recharge the
soul in a manner often missing in most people’s harried existence. To this day, I
much prefer my pancakes with huckleberries. The Madsen’s have long since passed on,
but whenever I look at Swiftcurrent Lake, in my mind’s eye I see them, roll casting
what they jokingly called "garden hackle" (worms) with their split cane fly
rods. Treasured memories, and a trip to Many Glacier will likely create some for you.
amping
can involve anything from sleeping on the ground in a tiny tent after a grueling backpack
trip to carefully adjusting the satellite dish on a luxury RV’s roof for best TV
reception. Although both these
scenarios have their advantages, most people are happy with something that falls between
these extremes. But no matter where on the adventure scale your preferences lie, you'll be
able to find something to suit you in Glacier Park. Whether you're camped in a
remote backcountry area or a roadside campground, you'll find they share stunning scenery
and available activities ranging from casual to high adventure.
repellent spray, although I’ve never had
to use it and hopefully, never will. More detailed precautions to follow in bear country
are given to all visitors upon entering the park. Bear in mind, (so to speak), that seeing
a grizzly is not a common experience. I have camped and hiked in Glacier for about 35
years and can still count the grizzlies I’ve seen on my fingers. They are awesome
animals and seeing one is one of the greatest thrills the park offers. My family and I
were once watching a herd of elk near St. Mary lake when several of them became agitated
and stared into the timber. A large black grizzly emerged and chased the herd across the
meadow. Both the bear and the elk appeared to be casually loping along, and after about a
hundred yards of pursuit, the bear stopped and watched the elk depart. If one of the elk
had appeared crippled or otherwise vulnerable, though, I’m sure the outcome would
have been different. We had a great view of the whole affair through our binoculars, and
I’ll never forget watching the bear’s muscles rippling under his glossy black
hide as he ran. For me, the great bear’s power and grace absolutely personify the
spirit of wilderness that pervades this wonderful country. 
about
the Many Glacier area is that most of the trails lend themselves to use by hikers of
varying age and physical condition. Worthwhile attractions are within reach of an easy
walk, while longer hikes lead to alpine high country that will satisfy the most ardent
adventurer. Those unable or unwilling to hike should consider going on a guided horseback
trip. Organized group hikes led by a Ranger Naturalist lead to most of the area
destinations and are a great idea for those who don’t wish to venture out on their
own. Information and schedules for these trips is available at any of the area facilities.
See our hiking page for more details on area trails.