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Glacier sits at the top of the Northern Continental Divide ecosystem
offering a ton of first rate side trips. This ecosystem is a grand
and sweeping landscape full of verdant forest, large lakes, true
wilderness rivers and an intact mountain front - so intact that
the grizzly bear still wanders out onto the prairie. Also, the
largest freshwater lake in the western United States is just a
short drive away(and one of the cleanest). These national forests
are magnificent and would be national parks anywhere else in the
lower 48. They just happen to be next to Glacier......
Goat Lick: This is a really cool stop on. U.S. 2 about
halfway between West Glacier and East Glacier on the southern
boundary of Glacier. This is an absolutely gorgeous drive through
thickly forested canyons and the rugged Middle Fork of the Flathead.
The pullout comes up on you fast when traveling from West Glacier,
so be alert. The key attraction of Goat Lick is mountain goats.
Goat Lick sits on a big bend of the Flathead, and there are two
observation points - one right at the parking lot and one a short
walk down a wooden ramp. Goat activity is highest between April
through August.
Flathead National Forest: This giant national forest covers
the western and southwestern boundaries of Glacier National Park.
It is also home to most of the wildlife found in Glacier. The
Flathead contains 1 million acres of wilderness
in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Great Bear Wilderness and the
Mission Mountains Wilderness. The wild South Fork of the Flathead
River flows through miles upon miles of designated wilderness,
making it one of the true wilderness rivers in the lower 48. Also
of note is the Jewel Basin Hiking area, a special use area west
of Bigfork. This area contains 15,000 acres and 27 lakes. For
a fun animal watching trip, drive the dirt roads of the Flathead
National Forest directly west of Camas Bridge(west of West Glacier).
It's easier to spot the animals in the regenerating forest. (406)
758-5200
Lewis and Clark National Forest: This magnificent national
forest covers the southeast corner of Glacier and is a drier national
forest than the Flathead because it's on the east side of the
divide. This national forest provides sweeping, dramatic views
of prairie meeting mountains. There is very little development.
Most of the wildlife present in Glacier is here, including grizzly
bears. There's a very rugged quality to the landscape. A couple
places to check out would the the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial
Monument which sits a atop Marias Pass. Constructed in 1931, it
honors Roosevelt for forest conservation. The other is the Willow
Creek National Wildlife Refuge which joins the Lewis and Clark
National Forest on the rocky mountain front west of Choteau.
Flathead Lake: The largest freshwater lake in the west
at 191 square miles. The elevation is 2,894 feet with 161 miles
of shore. This is a beautiful and awe inspiring lake, with the
Mission Mountains flanking the east side. Somers and Bigfork are
the main access points on the north end of the lake, closest to
Glacier. Sail boating is a very popular activity.
This popular hand GPS unit is very useful
when driving remote backroads:Garmin
Etrex Venture HC GPS Receiver
The National Bison Range: Check out
this great sidetrip on its own Parkcamper page. The
National Bison Range.
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Parkcamper: Northern Rocky
Mountains Edition features
the campgrounds of Glacier,
Yellowstone, Grand Teton,
Badlands and Theodore
Roosevelt National Parks.
This 3 DVD set will save
you and your family time,
money and gas when planning
your next great camping trip.
Experience what the
campgrounds are truly like.
Click the DVD to order!
Download Glacier National Park Campground Packs for iPod, iPhone,
iPad, Android, iTunes, and any home computer. Click the iPod to
order!
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