Columbia River Gorge / Glacier Park

[John Kelly]

We will be going to the Columbia River Gorge and Glacier Park this summer could someone give me the names of some good camp grounds in these two areas? Thank you.

John Kelly

[Bill]

We stayed in St Mary campground on the east side of Glacier for several days last spring. It was not bad at all, which I imagine would characterize all the campgrounds in Glacier (wow, the whole thing is incredibly beautiful!) We chose St Mary simply because we were approaching the park from the east, and didn't want to pull the camper over Going To The Sun Road to get to the west side. That turned out to be a wise choice - we were there early in the season - still lots of snow - and the road was washed out in several places. Lots of construction vehicles, and narrow temporary roadbeds, were part of crossing the park.

Bill

[Carole]

Search Oregon Parks. There should be some state Parks along the Columbia River Gorge. The Dalles and Hood River are two towns that come to mind.

Carole
2004 TM 2619
2006 Titan Nissan

p.s. Currently on the road with TM in AZ
Great Weather!!!

[NW Native]

Don't forget the Washington side of the Columbia River. A couple of parks come to mind: Maryhill State Park (http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Maryhill&pageno=1) and Columbia Hills State Park (http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Columbia%20Hills&pageno=1). I have camped at Maryhill - interesting area. A full scale model of Stonehenge and the Maryhill Museum of Art (http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/) are close by. Up river from Maryhill on the Washington side (Hwy 14 - two lane, but it's a good road) there are several great wineries to visit.
:new_all_c

[John Kelly]

Thanks Bill, Carole & NW Native for your sugestions.

John Kelly

[John Kelly]

On our trip out west this summer we will be going from Glacier Park, MT to Lake Louise to Jasper, CD. Can anyone who has done this give us suggestions where to camp and the best places to visit and hike in this area of Canada. We will be in the Canadian ice-field area about 4 days. I realize this isn't very long so we are looking for the hiking trails and sites not to miss. We have campsite info. for Yellowstone & Glacier Park.

Also would appreciate best hiking trails in Yellowstone & Glacier Parks. We are in our mid sixties so we will not be doing marathon hikes but do appreciate beautiful scenery. Thank you for your help in these matters.


99 Merc. MT. V8
2004 3023 MT

[coulter]

Fish Creek campground on the west side of Glacier is Wonderful! There you are in "pacific forest" and right on the shore of the lake McDonald. you are also close to services, laundry, grocery and gas supplies. Several Rafting companies are located close by also, if you want to do a raft trip.

[Freedom]

There's a very nice Provincial Park (Camping) right by Banff - no hookups - at least when we camped there back in the 1980s. The drive along the Vermillion Lakes, near Banff, is breathtaking. Don't miss the hike along Lake Louise and up Johnston Canyon (Both have very good trails.) A drive to and hiking around (not around literally) Moraine Lake is also beautiful. For that matter, the whole area of the Canadian Rockies is spectacular! A good sight seeing trip is to have breakfast at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and then ride the ski lift to the top. I think tickets were about $10 (Canadian) and that included breakfast (All you can eat) (They also have later trips that include lunch for more $.) If you're coming from Glacier NP, as you cross into Canada you go into Waterton NP and that is spectacular country, too. Sounds like a great trip you have planned!

[John Kelly]

Thank's Leesa & Jim for the great info. Any other replies would be greatly appreciated.

John & Marion

[Bill]

If you have a bit of time, and run out of energy for hiking, check out the little villages of Waterton and Canmore, Alberta. Fun little places to walk around. Both have spectacular mountains hanging over them, and nice little rivers running through. One is populated mostly with bunnies (rabbits), and the other with deer, which add to the visual appeal. If you've a mind to have a beer, don't miss the Grizzly Paw pub in Canmore. And of course don't miss high tea at the Banff Springs Hotel.

It would be easy to spend an entire summer in that area.

Bill