Known as the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park sits at the northern reaches of the Montana/ Canada border. Within the park boundaries, travelers will find snow-capped mountains, turquoise alpine lakes, 25 glaciers, rushing mountain rivers, fields of colorful wildflowers, miles of unspoiled forest, and so much more. As a haven for hikers, climbers, and wilderness lovers from all walks of life, the park stretches for one million acres across some of the nation’s most pristine wilderness.
Introduction
Glacier National Park stretches for a whopping one million acres in Montana’s Rocky Mountains and has over 700 miles of hiking trails. Beyond hiking, Glacier National Park is home to serene alpine lakes, rushing rivers, towering waterfalls, and so much more. Located in some of the most remote wilderness in the continental United States, Glacier National Park is best explored by campervan. To travel to Glacier National Park, pick up your Escape Campervan at the Seattle Location.
From our Seattle location, it takes approximately 9 hours to travel the 559 miles to Glacier National Park.
Why rent a campervan for a trip to Glacier National Park?
Perks of the Campervan Experience
The perfect blend of mobility and comfort: A camper van gives you unparalleled mobility and comfort and allows you to explore the deep wilderness of Glacier National Park. While an RV may have a similar level of comfort, you’re limited on where you can park and stay. A camper van offers the best of both worlds–camping made comfortable and easy meals on the go. Navigate winding mountain roads with ease, get to remote dispersed campsites, and enjoy all the freedoms of campervan travel.
Easy to drive: Unlike giant RVs, campervans drive just like normal cars, fit into regular parking spots, and are easy to use both in nature and in the city. Campervans are unrivaled when it comes to dispersed camping. Access remote campsites and trails in the far corners of Glacier National Park without sacrificing the comfort your van provides. Seamlessly transition from exploring the breweries and eateries in White Fish to the wilds of Glacier.
Flexible Camping: Since campervans don’t require electrical or sewer hookups, you have the flexibility to camp in tent-designated campsites and remote dispersed sites. Glacier National Park is a sprawling wilderness area with hundreds of miles of national forests. Camp and explore in comfort with an Escape Campervan.
Convenient and fun: With dozens of add-ons and several spacious models to choose from, our campervans make spending the night in nature easy and enjoyable. You can pack everything you need for a multi-day and multi-activity adventure with you in your van, and not waste time setting up a tent or looking for RV-designated camping/ parking.
Preparing for a Trip to Glacier National Park
Gear
Rain Gear: The mountains have variable weather, and conditions can change quickly. Bring rain gear and plenty of layers for your time in Glacier National Park, even in the summer.
Sun Protection: Bring sunscreen and a hat for traveling to Glacier in the summer.
Layers: Montana’s sunny summer weather can turn cold quickly, even in the summer. Bring plenty of layers, even if you’re traveling in the summer. If you’re traveling in the winter, bring proper winter clothes and expect extreme winter weather.
Water & Food: A Campervan allows you to take everything you need on the road. Add a kitchen kit to your campervan to plan your meals during your journey.
Campsites
Dispersed camping vs. campsites: A van makes dispersed camping easy. You can disperse camp for free on federal and BLM land. There are plenty of apps to help you find a dispersed camping site on your route. If you’re considering booking a campsite either in a reservable site on federal land or a private campsite, make sure you book at least two months before your trip.
Navigation
Phones & Chargers: Navigation is integral to your trip’s success. Make sure you bring a smartphone or GPS device and a charger.
Printed Maps: You never know when you’re going to lose service in the mountains. Take a printed road map of the park in case you lose service.
Wildlife awareness
If you’re camping in Glacier National Park you’ll likely encounter wildlife. The Northern Montana area has no shortage of wild animals, including Moose, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Black Bears, Mountain Lions, Coyotes, and Grizzly Bears. Always utilize bear-safe storage options when camping near Glacier National Park.
Leave No Trace Principles
Whenever traveling in nature, utilize Leave No Trace Principles, meaning pack out everything you packed in, including food waste, trash, camping gear, and anything else you may have brought.
Which Camper Van is Best for Traveling in Glacier National Park?
Escape Camper Vans’ Seattle location offers a variety of van models to suit your travel needs, group size, and desired destination. These vans are equipped with all the bells and whistles to provide the ultimate mix of comfort and ease of travel. With a built-in kitchenette, solar panels, and a comfortable queen bed, there’s no better way to hit the road. From our Seattle location, you can choose between the spacious Big Sur, Del Mar, and Mavericks models. Each van sleeps up to 5 people (with a rooftop sleeper). Browse our selection of vans to find the perfect model for your Montana road trip, and make sure it’s stocked with everything you need for an epic adventure.
Must-See Sights, Events, and Places in Glacier National Park
Drive the famed Going to the Sun Road
The Going to the Sun Road offers drivers a spectacular 50-mile scenic drive that crosses the Continental Divide, passes glacial lakes, and travels through dense cedar forest. This scenic road first opened in 1932 and offers an unrivaled journey through some of the nation’s most remote wilderness.
Take on the Highline Trail
The Highline Trail is one of the most iconic treks in Glacier National Park and takes hikers on an epic 12-mile out and back high above the Going to the Sun Road.
Hike Grinnell Glacier
Grinnell Glacier is one of the park’s most popular day hikes. This Glacier hike takes hikers 10 miles out and back to Grinnell Glacier, the most visited glacier in Glacier National Park. This hike begins along the Swift Current Lake before climbing roughly 2,000 feet to Upper Grinnell Lake with Grinnell Glacier to your left while Salamander Glacier hugs the cliffs of the Garden Wall in front of you.
Ski Whitefish Mountain Resort
If you’re traveling to Northern Montana in the middle of winter, you’re likely after the state’s world-class snow and coveted ski terrain. The closest ski resort to Glacier National Park is Whitefish Mountain Resort. With 3,000 plus acres of ski terrain, 300 inches of annual snowfall, and 2,353 ft of vertical drop, Whitefish Ski Resort is a must-visit.
Explore Whitefish, Montana
Just 27 miles from Glacier National Park, Whitefish offers park visitors a welcome slice of refined civilization just half an hour from the park’s rugged wilderness. Whitefish offers visitors a reprieve from the park with their celebrated eateries, breweries, and distilleries.
Hike the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is one of Glacier’s most popular hiking trails, and compared to other popular treks, this one is relatively easy. The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail takes hikers 2.7 miles on an out-and-back journey to a surreal alpine lake.
Camping in Glacier National Park
Camping in Glacier National Park is as rugged as you make it. There are luxe glamping resorts nearby, well-kept park campgrounds, and dispersed camping in hard-to-reach places. With dozens of options and virtually every type of campsite imaginable, Glacier National Park is a camper’s paradise.
The Many Glacier Campground: Located on the east side of the park, this Glacier campground offers campers excellent trail access from the campground, which is shaded by massive Douglas Firs. The Many Glacier Campground provides potable water, flush toilets, and “generator-free” sites for quiet camping. The Many Glaciers Campground is reservable up to six months in advance.
St. Mary Campground: The St. Mary Campground is a reservation-only campsite on the east side of the park that’s located just a half-mile from the St. Mary Visitor Center. This Glacier National Park campground offers campers potable water and flush toilet access and is reservable up to six months in advance.
Rising Sun Campground: Rising Sun Campground is a first-come, first-serve campground located just west of St. Mary. Rising Sun, as the name suggests, offers campers stunning sunrise views with Red Eagle Mountain towering in the background. This campground gives visitors easy access to trails located east of Logan Pass and offers a mix of sheltered and open sites.
Two Medicine Campground: Two Medicine Campground is a reservable campground located in the Two Medicine Valley of Glacier National Park. There is a ranger station and camp store nearby, as well as flush toilets and potable water.
Kintla Lake Campground: Kintla Lake Campground is Glacier National Park’s most remote “front country” campground. This Glacier campground is accessible by dirt road and offers campers plenty of solitude.
When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park exists in some of the nation’s most rugged landscapes. Weather in the park can change in an instant and is often extreme, but with a little planning and preparation, it’s easy to enjoy the park year-round. In the winter, expect the park to be blanketed in several feet of snow. In the spring, expect cloudy days with plenty of rain.
Best time to camp in Glacier National Park
Summer: Summer is Glacier National Park’s main season. Warmer, dryer days begin mid-late June and last through late August. Pack plenty of layers for chilly nights and always be prepared for rain. Wildfires can be an issue in the summer. Always pay attention to fire warnings and air quality warnings.
Spring: The snow may melt in the spring, but the days remain cool and are often rainy. May and June are the rainiest months of the year in Glacier. Temperatures can rise into the mid-60s during the late spring but drop as low as the 30s.
Fall: Fall in Glacier National Park is a pleasant time to visit with fewer crowds and comfortable days in the 50s and 60s. Bring warm and waterproof layers if you’re traveling in the fall.
Winter: If you’re traveling in Glacier National Park during the winter, expect snow and temperature highs in the 20s and low 30s. If you prepare properly, Glacier is a winter wonderland. While the park does experience partial closures during the winter, there’s still plenty to see and do.
Reserve with Escape Camper Vans for your trip to Glacier National Park
A campervan is the ultimate adventure vehicle for a Glacier National Park road trip. An Escape Campervan makes camping comfortable while giving travelers the mobility to explore the far reaches of the park with ease. To begin this adventure, we recommend that you pick up your campervan at Escape Camper Vans in Seattle for your Glacier National Park adventure.