Question Planning Glacier and Montana for 2020

[Neal]

Knowing that reservations for these popular areas must be made well in advance I'm starting to think about my 2020 plans to see Glacier and Montana for the first time. I welcome suggestions of what to see and where to stay so I can book early.

Thank you.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Unless you plan to stay a couple of years, you won't be able to hit more than the high points in Montana! It depends a bit on your areas of interest what to focus on. For scenic areas and wildlife, Glacier Park is a must-see, as is Yellowstone. Montana is a huge state and the west side is quite different from the east side. The Rocky Mountains split the state, running approximately north-south. Central and Western Montana are the heart of the Mountain West, while Eastern Montana is on the western edge of the Great Plains. The geography of the two sides is quite different, but both are scenic.

If you visit Yellowstone, you should also plan to go a bit south to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming; beautiful, rugged mountains and lots of wildlife. And, Cody, Wyoming, has a fabulous museum complex with five distinct "museums." Very worth the time to visit.

Of course, history buffs will be intrigued with numerous Native American museums and history sites. And, the Lewis and Clark Expedition came up the Missouri River as far as Great Falls, so there are some historical things associated with it as well.

That should take care of your first yea, Neal.

As for reservations, the sooner the better but a lot of places don't seem to start taking then until after January 1. If you need help with reservations at Polson, let us know.

TJ

 

[Neal]

What are the recommended CG's for Glacier and how long should one stay?

 

[redbaron]

North american rv park is where we have stayed for the past 10 years.

Our first year we planned to stat 1 week, ended up staying 8 weeks. Ever since we have stayed a minimum of 6 weeks and a max of 14 weeks.

They just recently expanded and in 2020 they have 75 sites that are pull thru with very nice width, and easy access.

Tell them Ronnie sent you...

2019 DSDP 4369 * Active Air * NHSO

 

[Neal]

North american rv park is where we have stayed for the past 10 years.

Thanks. I put in a reservation request for August 1-31. It's half the cost of the KOA. Thanks for the lead. Now to do Polson before or after

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Well, if it makes any difference, LadyDi and I will be in Polson during September. We'll also be there in May and June, but will be on the road in July and most of August. Regardless of when you plan to be at Polson, get your reservations in early.

TJ

 

[Neal]

Wasn't sure if September was going to be too late weather wise.

 

[redbaron]

We will be arriving in glacier July 4, and staying thru September.

2019 DSDP 4369 * Active Air * NHSO

 

[Neal]

Sounds like we need a Newmar Hoots / RVF Hoots meetup there. Everyone head to Glacier

TJ I am heading your way after! Can't miss the opportunity to meet you and LadyDi.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

We love Polson in September! Weather is usually good, though this past September was pretty mixed. One benefit is that spaces are much easier to get in September as the snowbirds will be heading south by then. And, the fall colors start to show in September.

We can get a little snow in late September, but it is usually very light and only lasts a day or two at most. Our weather change usually occurs in mid- to late October. That said, with the unpredictable weather situation worldwide in recent years, nothing is certain.

TJ

 

[turbopilot]

Thanks. I put in a reservation request for August 1-31. It's half the cost of the KOA. Thanks for the lead. Now to do Polson before or after

We spent a week at the KOA West Glacier in the newest area last June. In that area most of the coaches were DP's probably because of the price. We drove around North American RV Park. No comparison. KOA West Glacier is the flagship property of the KOA chain. It is company owned not a franchise. They do an excellent job with a good restaurant near the newer area. They also had regular nightly programs and entertainment in the grassy area adjacent to the newer part of the park. Definitely the best KOA I have ever stayed at. The new area is to the right on the park map below. Lots of space between rigs with lots of grass and landscaping. The is a Premium RV Park. ATT excellent, Verizon totally dead.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

In reviewing our 2020 schedule, I think we will actually be in Polson by mid-August. LadiDi and I will be attending Jaialdi (the Basque festival in Boise, Idaho) at the end of July/early August and will head for Polson from there.

We'll stop in Pullman, WA, for a couple of days to visit our grandson and his wife, and then a couple of days in the Spokane area to visit friends. That should put us in Polson by mid-August.

TJ

 

[turbopilot]

If you would like more of a wilderness experience we stopped at Salmon Lake State Park on the way to Glacier. Only a few spots along the lake shore will take a full size DP. They have 50 amp power but that is it. No ATT and Verizon 1 to 2 down from a cell tower 7 miles up a canyon. Right near by is the best restaurant in Montana at Paws Up Resort.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Sounds like we need a Newmar Hoots / RVF Hoots meetup there. Everyone head to Glacier

TJ I am heading your way after! Can't miss the opportunity to meet you and LadyDi.

Great! and, we can easily day-trip up to Glacier from Polson for a "hoots" meet-up.

TJ.

 

[redbaron]

@TJ&LadyDi when is the cherry festival? We usually go to polson for that. Best time to stock up on the flathead laxitives.

2019 DSDP 4369 * Active Air * NHSO

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

The 2020 Polson Cherry Festival will be July 18-19, but there should still be cherries...er, "Flathead laxatives"...available at least into early August.

TJ

 

[redbaron]

I was thinking it was before @Neal was going to arrive.

@FLSteve you mentioned Glacier in 2020....start planning.

2019 DSDP 4369 * Active Air * NHSO

 

[deaton]

Sounds like we need a Newmar Hoots / RVF Hoots meetup there. Everyone head to Glacier

TJ I am heading your way after! Can't miss the opportunity to meet you and LadyDi.

Can’t do Hoots without a nearby Newmar dealer. Of course we could make new rules.

 

[deaton]

We did Glacier last August.

There is s brand new RV park just ouside the West gate just a half mile from Going to the Sun road. It just opened last summer. It’s called West Glacier RV Park and Cabins.



This place has about 100 sites, all big coach pull-thru. Very well designed. Nice amenities.

They were charging $100 but they take Good Sam so $90. KOA was higher, and they were further away and full. This place was half full because nobody knew about it yet. That will not likely be true next summer.

We really enjoyed our stay and it’s so close to the gate. You can’t take anything over 28’ very far into Glacier.

 

[FLSteve]

@FLSteve you mentioned Glacier in 2020....start planning.

2019 DSDP 4369 * Active Air * NHSO

@redbaron … planning is all done and reservations made as of yesterday. We will be at East Glacier KOA from 8/19 to 8/23 and then West Glacier KOA from 8/23 to 9/2 and then will move down to Polson from 9/2 to 9/6 on the way to West Yellowstone.

FLSteve