Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
$79/additional person) are fantastic options, so these are always worth a call to see if
they have last-minute openings.
For true spontaneity, pitch a tent in one of Glacier's 1,000-plus campsites in 13
campgrounds, at least some of which are open May-mid-October. With the excep-
tion of St. Mary, Fish Creek, and half of the group sites at Apgar, all campgrounds
are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with nightly fees of $10-23. An ex-
cellent page on the National Park Service website (
www.nps.gov/applications/glac
)
shows updated availability at campsites across the park. Apgar is the largest camp-
ground, with 194 sites, followed by Fish Creek (173 sites), St. Mary (146 sites), and
Many Glacier (110 sites). For advance reservations no more than six months ahead
of time at Fish Creek or St. Mary, contact the
National Park Reservation System
(877/444-6777,
www.recreation.gov
).
Finally, for those willing to hoof it into an unforgettable chalet,
Sperry Chalet
(888/
345-2649,
www.sperrychalet.com
,
mid-July-early-Sept., from $195) offers a cushy altern-
ative to camping. Opened in 1914, Sperry Chalet is composed of a simple hotel building, a
composting restroom building, and a kitchen/dining room building. There are no lights (so
bring a flashlight), heat, or water in the private guest rooms, but the dining room has a wood
stove and propane lights. The chalet provides three meals with each night's stay, along with
linens. The primary trail into the chalet is Sperry Trail, which leaves from a trailhead across
from Lake McDonald Lodge. The hike into the chalet from this point is 6.7 miles, and in-
cludes 3,300 feet of elevation gain. From the chalet, the Sperry Glacier Trail is a 4-mile
hike to the glacier overlook that includes 1,500 feet of elevation gain and takes, on aver-
age, three hours. A horse ride into the chalet can also be arranged through
Swan Mountain
Outfitters
(406/387-4405 or 877/888-5557,
www.swanmountainoutfitters.com/glacier
).
