Glacier National Park

I will be writing some blog posts about places we visited a few years back; however, I am doing active research to ensure that these posts are up-to-date for you. It’s such a sweet position to be in, capturing old memories while ensuring you get the best experience here at Kale and Campfires.

A Brief on Kalispell

Kalispell has 28,000 full-time residents but is a big town by Montana standards. We stayed at the Rocky Mountain Hi campgrounds, which I highly recommend. It was a great spot in town. We had two tent spots because the others in our group were camping, and we had Big Bertha, which can double as a tent if needed. 

We were in locations 89 and 90, which was perfect because the girls walked to the swimming hole and a little play area to relax after a long day at the park. The laundry facilities and showers were excellent, with good water pressure and lots of space. 

We didn’t do much in town as we were primarily there for Glacier, but a stop at Famous Dave’s BBQ was a requirement. This was a restaurant that Brandon really liked when we lived in Delaware, and he was excited to go there again. We had fried pickles, burnt ends, and a rum punch, which was absolutely delicious. It has Cruzan Spiced Rum, which is hand-shaken with passion fruit puree, a fresh pineapple, orange juice, and topped with grenadine.

We also went to a few stores, one of which sold me my hiking boots for a great price. Then Nevaeh and I dipped for a few minutes into REI. 

Then, there was a stop at Huckleberry Heaven for, go figure, huckleberry products. I opted not to get anything, saving myself for the coffee that was to come. The girls and Pa got some huckleberry fudge and Twizzlers, though. 

Glacier National Park

Then, we stopped for pictures in front of Glacier National Park and headed into the park to look for souvenirs and decide where to head next. We opted to head towards West Glacier Merchantile and Lake McDonald’s Lodge. 

Between the entrance and our final destination, we had a significant slowdown. It seems a bear cub decided to hang out by the road, so people slowed down, unsure if it was to be safe or get pictures, perhaps both.

Huckleberry Coffee

Everyone else hung out while Nevaeh and I entered the restaurant and got the coffee.

If you’ve never had huckleberries, they taste similar to blueberries but have a more intense flavor. Therefore, if you are not a berry-with-coffee kind of person, this is not the coffee you’re looking for. 

Given that huckleberry-flavored things are unavailable throughout the US, I thought now was the time. Although it was early July, the mornings were still cold enough that a hot latte really hit the spot as we checked out the lake.

Hiking to Lake McDonald’s Falls

I actually picked this one out! Since nobody could decide what they wanted to do, I suggested the hike to the falls. The hike was along the highway, making it easier, but you must watch for cars carefully. Once we got to where the falls were, you could see them on the road, and there was an offshoot to walk closer.

One of the best parts about Glacier National Park is all the wildlife we see. Along this route, we saw a few deer and got close. 

The fall did not disappoint either! It wasn’t as big as I had hoped, but it was packed and flowed fast. Vaeh got some water from her bottle and even drank from it without hesitation. As a child, I heard this was okay because it was further north and mountainous, so it had fewer chemicals. I will say that my brother-in-law’s water was some of the best I’ve ever had. 

We took pictures of the ducks and enjoyed some quiet time before returning to our original destination and exploring the lake. Some explored by kayak up close to the shore, some explored further out, and the crazies even got in the water (yes, Vaeh, I’m talking about you and your dad). 

Just a Bit More

I kayaked from the mercantile to Lake McDonald resort, which looks really nice. I’m adding that to my “if there’s time” bucket list.

We explored a bit more, using some waterfalls and a staircase. Nevaeh, Brandon, and I were brave enough to go out on a log with the water rushing below us. It was tons of fun, and I could laugh through my nervousness. 

When You Go:

• If you can’t find a place in the park, be sure to check out Kalispell. It’s not too far, and you have the modern conveniences of town.
  • If you go to town and are a BBQ fan like me, check out Famous Dave’s. Yes, they are a chain, but they are pretty legit!
• If you can stay in the park, I highly recommend a campsite near the water (because, yes!). Some of these include:
  • Sprague Creek Campground: This 25-site campground is near Lake McDonald and Going-to-the-Sun Road so it can be busy. Some sites are near the water, but there is low cell reception there, so keep that in mind as well. 
  • Apgar Campground: Apgar Campground is also near Lake McDonald but has several more spots available, and the sites are more spacious. It is also open longer during the year than Sprague Creek. Cell service is a bit better, and larger RVs can park here. 
  • Rising Sun Campground has views of St.Mary’s Lake and is located east of Logan Pass, near several hiking locations. Bears have been reported frequently, so be sure to put away your food while staying there.
• If you can, be sure to check out Going-to-the-Sun Road. We went in early July, and it was still not open for the year because of snow and ice. The biggest problem is Logan’s Pass. You can check the national park’s website to see if it is open when you go. It takes two hours to drive the fifty-mile stretch, with plenty of availability to stop along the way if you desire.
• Last but not least, if you go in late July, check out Huckleberry Trail, where you can pick your own huckleberries (up to one quart per person) for free!