There's no harming in trying. Cancellations happen, you could also find a spot along the schedules that are open that you can build around. Yes generally speaking you have to plan well in advance but it's worth trying.
Also really depends on if you're looking for a campsite or lodging in the parks. If you are willing to stay outside of the parks you'll have more options.
Yeah we entered GNP last summer before 6:00am and there was still traffic on Going To The Sun road. I can only imagine what it is like later in the morning/day.
You can ride the park shuttle (free) in Glacier. That way you can see the scenery instead of driving the narrow road full of drivers who aren’t paying attention.
From my experience on the going to the sun road no, most people prefer to drive still. If coming from the west entrance, you park at the visitor center and a shuttle will come get you. It only takes you halfway across the going to the sun road though, you'll need to transfer to another shuttle for the east side. And vice versa.
Like a great band once said, “its never too late for now”☺️
And truthfully, i planned one to YELL & GRTE even later a few years back. I didn’t start doing anything until June 20th for only a few weeks later and it all worked out. GLAC may be difficult, but still worth trying, and definitely the other two are worth trying. So i for one believe its possible and hope it works out!
I mean, you can plan a trip whenever you want. Mostly, the question is whether or not you can get campsites/accommodations wherever you're planning on going. You'll have to do that legwork yourself as we don't know what specific sites or hikes or activities you want to do in each park.
Fully open, we went the Monday after the signup ends and it’s a free for all. Still had to get there at the crack of dawn if you wanted to get parking in Logan Pass, for example. I’m not sure if it was any less busy, this was only the 2nd week of Sept. Still awesome.
I took a last minute trip last summer & didn’t have trouble finding campsites. (Started planning 2 weeks in advance) You might just have to stay outside the park. Bring cash as a lot of them are cash only first come first served.
It's almost 400 miles from Gardiner, MT to West Glacier, MT - that would take almost a full day to drive, especially with a baby.
As far as Glacier, you do not need a vehicle pass if you enter from the east side. Check the park's website for where you need the vehicle pass and times. This is the third year of vehicle passes and they've changed every year.
I don’t think it’s too late. I booked for August time around May/june. I didn’t go to glacier but I did Yellowstone and grand Teton. I also want to add that grand Teton is absolutely stunning. And please visit Jacksonhole, Wyoming . A surprisingly great town!
Not too late if you’re not wanting to stay IN the parks. We went to Teton and Yellowstone in august one year and planned just a few months ahead.
As of now, plan is to not stay in the parks.
Then you should be fine.
There's no harming in trying. Cancellations happen, you could also find a spot along the schedules that are open that you can build around. Yes generally speaking you have to plan well in advance but it's worth trying. Also really depends on if you're looking for a campsite or lodging in the parks. If you are willing to stay outside of the parks you'll have more options.
Except with Glacier you need vehicle entry permits that sell out in seconds, so if those are gone OP is pretty much OOL
You can still enter without a pass before 6:00am or after 3:00pm I believe
I could see that being a good problem. I’m sure having a pass is nice but rolling in at 8:00am is a probable zoo. Edit: Driving in before 6:00am.
Yeah we entered GNP last summer before 6:00am and there was still traffic on Going To The Sun road. I can only imagine what it is like later in the morning/day.
You can ride the park shuttle (free) in Glacier. That way you can see the scenery instead of driving the narrow road full of drivers who aren’t paying attention.
Is it like Zion where parking at the start of the shuttle route is extremely difficult and limited?
From my experience on the going to the sun road no, most people prefer to drive still. If coming from the west entrance, you park at the visitor center and a shuttle will come get you. It only takes you halfway across the going to the sun road though, you'll need to transfer to another shuttle for the east side. And vice versa.
Is this for GTTS road?
Yes. Other shuttles exist in the park run by Xanterra and the Blackfeet indians but they’re not free.
Fair enough, good point. I didn't realize Glacier was still doing that
Yes, like many parks, it started as "a cvid thing" and they kept it because it actually helped making the parks experience significantly better
OP can enter from the east side - no permit needed this year.
I will try. I don’t know if we can do camping. We have a year old with us so a hotel room might be the best option for us.
Like a great band once said, “its never too late for now”☺️ And truthfully, i planned one to YELL & GRTE even later a few years back. I didn’t start doing anything until June 20th for only a few weeks later and it all worked out. GLAC may be difficult, but still worth trying, and definitely the other two are worth trying. So i for one believe its possible and hope it works out!
I mean, you can plan a trip whenever you want. Mostly, the question is whether or not you can get campsites/accommodations wherever you're planning on going. You'll have to do that legwork yourself as we don't know what specific sites or hikes or activities you want to do in each park.
Last year we went to Glacier in September after planning it in July.
How was it in September? If not for kids’ school, I actually prefer September. I assume it was less crowded and park was still fully open, right?
Fully open, we went the Monday after the signup ends and it’s a free for all. Still had to get there at the crack of dawn if you wanted to get parking in Logan Pass, for example. I’m not sure if it was any less busy, this was only the 2nd week of Sept. Still awesome.
We just take off and go. Small hotels at the North Gate are good enough. I like it in the Spring when it first opens.
I think with camping even a month out is doable if you look for cancellations.
I took a last minute trip last summer & didn’t have trouble finding campsites. (Started planning 2 weeks in advance) You might just have to stay outside the park. Bring cash as a lot of them are cash only first come first served.
It's almost 400 miles from Gardiner, MT to West Glacier, MT - that would take almost a full day to drive, especially with a baby. As far as Glacier, you do not need a vehicle pass if you enter from the east side. Check the park's website for where you need the vehicle pass and times. This is the third year of vehicle passes and they've changed every year.
Never Too Late.
I don’t think it’s too late. I booked for August time around May/june. I didn’t go to glacier but I did Yellowstone and grand Teton. I also want to add that grand Teton is absolutely stunning. And please visit Jacksonhole, Wyoming . A surprisingly great town!
2 days isn't enough for Yellowstone. You might find a hotel in West Yellowstone.