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Comments
Good article and good advice. I hope to get back here someday. It has been years since my only trip here; but I, and two of my sons, hiked numerous trails for a total of about 60 miles in the few days we had to spend in the area.
Sounds very appealing. But to justify the costs for such a short trip from afar, how about telling the readers from the east coast the best cost effective options to fly close to Glacier park?
I hear you, C. Aviles. I wrote this piece with the mindset of lodging within or near the park as well as deciding what activities to do during a relatively short period of time, like 3 days. However, I can also give a little bit of advice regarding flying into Montana, near the park. The closest you can get is to fly into Kalispell, which is some 34 miles away from Glacier. That's about a 30-minute drive, maybe longer, depending upon how many photo stops you want to make heading into the park - it's all beautiful country along the way, so you'll be tempted. You can also fly into Great Falls, Montana, which may actually be cheaper than flying into Kalispell (it was for me, the one time I did that back in 2009), except that you'll then be driving between 157 - 172 miles, depending upon your route. The drive will take you 2.5 - 3 hours to get there, or longer, because the scenery is gorgeous out that way, as well, with a mixture of plains, mountains and rolling hills perfect for photo ops. In terms of what airline to take - well - that's all up to you and your research. Alaska, Allegiant, Delta and United fly into Kalispell and after a quick online search, it looks like the same airlines fly into the Great Falls airport. Price is always a tricky thing. Sometimes I get a great deal by making my airline reservations months ahead of time. At other times, I can get a better deal waiting to make my reservation anywhere from a month to a couple of weeks prior to my trip. According to my online research, which day you choose to depart also affects ticket price. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are the best days for getting cheaper flights. Flying at dawn or overnight also tend to cost less. I hope this helps you. Good luck with your research.
It truelly is God's country....my family and I can hardly wait to go back.
Thanks R. Latson. I feel lucky to live at the foothills of the Appalachians and near the southern terminus of the AT but a visit out West and to Glacier is very appealing. The information provided will help me determine how much time i can "afford".
Nice article Rebecca.
Questions and comments:
A half-hour to Glacier from Kalispell seems awfully short. Which part?
NPS Rangers lead some of the hikes you mention. Check the NPS website or their newspaper.
Mr./Ms. Aviles: It ain't cheap. In 2010, for 9 days at Many Glacier hotel, flight from Boston, car rental = well over $4,000 for one person (also other expenses). If you live closer, of course, it is cheaper.