Glacier National Park - A Jewel in the Park System

Quick, go now while the weather is good.

Glacier National Park is impressive in size- over 1.4 million acres, more than 200 lakes and streams, and 730 miles of hiking trails. As well as breathtakingly beautiful- home to over 50 glaciers, 300 grizzly bears, 20 waterfalls and thousands of dew-bedecked wildflowers. This park in Montana has flourished in the 500 years the have passed since the last forest fire in the area.

Because of the high moisture content, the area has some of the largest cedar and hemlocks anywhere at the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk. If you drive yourself, you can stop and you're sure to spot a flying squirrel. Be patient, and near nightfall you can hear the owls hooting while the mountains around Lake MacDonald, glowing pink in the setting sun, make you want to stand still until dark.

There are huge fields of tall Beargrass stalks with their white flowers that will make you want to run through the meadow like a child. Though, if you just want to stretch your legs, you'll have plenty of options. . For those looking for a more extensive trip, you can backpack in from Canada, across Brown Pass, ending at Bowman Lake. Backpacking in Glacier isn't all a workout for athletes. The area near Belly River offers scenery galore, and many campsites to take a rest. The Hole in the Wall campground offers waterfalls that all begin at a single waterfall that pours out of a natural hole in the rock face. Then wander over to take a closer look at some of the violet Butterwort flowers.

For even easier movement, there are Red Bus tours. Two generations have enjoyed seeing the park from these open-topped vehicles. The sunshine in Glacier during the summer is full and bright. Perfect weather to take a drive along the famed 50-mile Going-To-The-Sun Road. Built in 1932, it skirts around Lake MacDonald then crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, nearly 6,700 feet above sea level. From there it descends down to Saint Mary Lake, another awe-inspiring body of water.

If you prefer a different mode of transportation, schedule a whitewater rafting trip. You can go in a group of eight on a larger boat, or brave the water yourself in a kayak. Even amateurs find it an easy trip with few rocks to contend with. But it will give plenty of adventures as you rush down the Flathead River.

Stop at one of the visitors centers in Apgar, Logan Pass or St. Mary and you'll find out about many more equally stunning sights and locations to been seen and experienced in Glacier National Park.