Page 17 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

flora and fauna of the Park. The historic Belton Depot
houses the Glacier Natural Park Conservancy and
greets Amtrak trains twice a day. The 1910 Belton
Chalet is a National Historic Landmark, the first of the
Great Northern Railway hotels in Glacier, providing
excellent Montana fare dining.
Glacier National Park
Please be advised, unless legislation reverses
this situation, that travelers wishing to use Going-
to-the-Sun Road or the inside North Fork Road
in Glacier will need to apply in advance for a two-
dollar “temporary ticketed entry system pass” for the
summer season, in addition to the standard per car
entrance fee. Exceptions are those who can show they
have lodge, campground etc. reservations within the
Park, or have reserved activities there. These entry
passes are only available at www.Recreation.gov
and are released periodically. They apply to the West
Glacier and St. Mary entrances between 6am and
4pm and the Polebridge entrance from 6am to 6pm, McDonald Lake, Glacier National Park
from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more photo by:
information visit the Glacier National Park website. VC TRAVEL GUIDE
Glacier National Park is a must see when traveling
to Montana. Established over one hundred years ago
in 1910, the Park is l600 square miles of astonishingly East Glacier horse trails. A boat trip across Two Medicine Lake
beautiful backcountry wilderness with more than 730 Location: Hwy 2 and 49; 56 miles east of West leads to a short trail through dense evergreen forest to
miles of hiking trails. Glacier, 32 miles from the entrance to Glacier the foot of spectacular Twin Falls.
In the early 1900s, Americans began regarding National Park at St. Mary. Population: 250.
natural resources in a different light, recognizing Visitor Information: Chamber of Commerce, St. Mary
the value of spectacular scenic beauty. Facilities PO Box 260, East Glacier, MT 59434; Phone: Location: Hwy 89; 32 miles northwest of
for tourists started to spring up. In the late 1890s, (406) 226-4403. Browning. Eastern terminus of Going-to-the-
visitors arriving at Belton (West Glacier) could get Sun Road.
off the train, take a stagecoach ride a few miles to In East Glacier the traveler will find motels
Lake McDonald, and then board a boat for an eight- accommodation, fine restaurants, a laundromat, One of the eastern entrances to Glacier National
mile trip to the Snyder Hotel. No roads existed in the gift shops, lounges, service stations and the historic Park, St. Mary is located at the foot of shimmering St.
mountains, but the lakes allowed for boat travel into Glacier Park Lodge. Horseback rides are available Mary Lake, providing breathtaking views.
the wilderness. and scenic boat cruises operate on park lakes. The St. Mary area offers numerous recreational
Soon, people like early explorer and author George Only seven miles from East Glacier, Two Medicine
Bird Grinnell pushed for the creation of a national Lake is surrounded by majestic peaks separated by opportunities, including hiking, fishing, camping,
mountain climbing, boating or just relaxing and
park. The area was made a Forest Preserve in 1900, deep, glaciated valleys, laced with hiking and saddle enjoying the view.
but was open to mining and homesteading. Grinnell Accommodations include the historic St. Mary
and others sought the added protection national park Lodge and Resort and the Rising Sun Motor Inn.
status would provide. He saw his efforts rewarded in
1910 when President Taft signed the bill establishing
Glacier as the country’s 10th national park. Browning - Blackfeet Country
The construction of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Location: Hwy 2 and 89; 13 miles east of East
which traverses the Park was an immense undertaking. Glacier, 120 miles from Great Falls. Population:
The final section over Logan Pass was completed in 4,133; Reservation Population: 8,851.
1932 after 11 years of work. This engineering feat Visitor Information: Phone: (406) 338-7181;
and National Historical Landmark is one of the most Website: wwwblackfeetcountry.com and www.
scenic roads in North America, forever changing the blackfeetfishandwildlife.com.
way visitors would experience Glacier National Park,
enabling a few hours travel time to replace days of Browning is the largest community on the
horseback riding. Blackfeet Indian Reservation, situated near the eastern
Waterton Lakes National Park lies just across the gateway to Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes
Canadian border. In 1931, Rotary Clubs members International Peace Park in Alberta, Canada. It is
suggested joining Glacier and Waterton as a symbol connected to the world by two major highways, the
of peace and friendship between the two countries. east-west Montana “Hi-Line”US 2 and US 89, which
In 1932, the US and Canadian governments voted to runs from Great Falls north to the Canadian border.
designate their parks as Waterton-Glacier International Within the 1.5 million acre Blackfeet Reservation the
Peace Park, the world’s first transborder park. While traveler will find campgrounds, hotels and restaurants,
visiting Waterton, be sure to see the Prince of Wales an outstanding museum and visitor center, as well as
Hotel and enjoy the traditional British atmosphere a multitude of recreational opportunities. Browning
complete with Afternoon Tea. and the outlying communities are well known for the
Essex limitless pursuits they offer to outdoor recreationalists.
The reservation is dotted by over 20 lakes and hundreds
Located midway between East and West Glacier of miles of streams and rivers. Hunting and fishing
on Hwy 2. are complemented by golf, camping, hiking, rodeos
and two major annual native celebrations during the
Essex is home to the historic Izaak Walton Inn that summer and fall seasons. Snowmobiling, ice fishing
once housed winter snow removal crews for the Great and cross-country skiing dominate the winter months.
Northern Railroad. Essex is a popular year-round The North American Indian Days celebration in
stop for visitors, especially railroad buffs and cross- Browning is always held the second week in July.
country skiers. Tipis are pitched on the powwow grounds for four
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