Glacier Park w/small kids

[Anonymous]

Anyone been out to Glacier NP in Montana? We have some family out west who want us to spend a few days in/around Glacier Park. We have a 4 yo and a 9 mo. I'm not a big outdoors person (so perhaps that's skewing my view) but I don't imagine it being a great place to travel with the two small ones in tow.

Advice/recommendations if you know anything about the area?

[Anonymous]

Never did Glacier but I'm a big traveler and very fond of national parks. I took my three to Zion and Bryce Canyons when they were 1, 6 and 10. The baby backpacks are wonderful for hiking. I'd do it in a second, especially if other family were going. But again, I love this sort of thing.

[Anonymous]

We did the Canadian Rockies with small kids and had a blast.

[Anonymous]

My DS will be 8 when we do Glacier this summer, but as a child he's been to Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Acadia, and Shenandoah (I feel like I'm missing one). I think the national parks are great for kids and adults of all ages. At their ages it's more about you and less about them anyway.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input! We usually use SSCs to wear the kids around, but I think someone gave us one of those framed carrier things that's stashed away somewhere if it's really much better for longer treks.

We haven't ever taken the preschooler out hiking so I don't have a good basis to judge his ability. Generally have you found that your small kids can go on a trail for a couple hours at a time? He seems to have such boundless energy running around the house/park/etc. I would imagine so?

Clearly exposing my non-survivalist side even more here, but how has being in a more remote area with baby/preschooler been? I'm usually not a worrier but spotty cell service (from what I understand) and slow access in and out of the park, as well as minimal 'civilization' gives me pause in case of emergency. Plus not having convenient access to a store to grab the diapers if we run out, or food, etc...

[Anonymous]

We went to Glacier several years ago with our then 7 month old son. We stayed in Whitefish, which is a lovely little town, and has all the amenities and conveniences you will need. And there is no need to rough it if you want to stay in the park; the lodges are beautiful (although be warned that they book up early).

Our son obviously doesn't remember the trip, but all of the adults had fun. Our son is now five, and he would LOVE a trip to Glacier, or any other national park. We will definitely go again.

The framed backpack is perfect for hiking.

[Anonymous]

I love Glacier. I went as a kid and always wanted to go back, so dragged DH as an adult. It is still our favorite vacation ever. Whitefish is a good suggestion. Staying in the park is okay, but there's no wireless and generally no cell service (at least as of 5 years ago). Get a hiking brochure from the park and find some short ones that end in lakes or waterfalls for your 4 yo. There are also some (pretty gentle) whitewater rafting companies, and plenty of other fun stuff. You'll have a great time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We haven't ever taken the preschooler out hiking so I don't have a good basis to judge his ability. Generally have you found that your small kids can go on a trail for a couple hours at a time? He seems to have such boundless energy running around the house/park/etc. I would imagine so?

yes mine could go for hours on end. But you just have to be flexible and adjust as you need to.

Clearly exposing my non-survivalist side even more here, but how has being in a more remote area with baby/preschooler been? I'm usually not a worrier but spotty cell service (from what I understand) and slow access in and out of the park, as well as minimal 'civilization' gives me pause in case of emergency. Plus not having convenient access to a store to grab the diapers if we run out, or food, etc...

Take what you need and make do when it's not perfect. If you're not doing remote trails (which you are not) then you don't need cell service. None of you will starve. You are not traveling to a remote area. You are going to a national park. There will be plenty of food opportunities. There really are so few emergencies but we all worry so much about them.

I'd do this in a second but I am concerned that it won't be fun for you because you are so worried about everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

We haven't ever taken the preschooler out hiking so I don't have a good basis to judge his ability. Generally have you found that your small kids can go on a trail for a couple hours at a time? He seems to have such boundless energy running around the house/park/etc. I would imagine so?

yes mine could go for hours on end. But you just have to be flexible and adjust as you need to.

Clearly exposing my non-survivalist side even more here, but how has being in a more remote area with baby/preschooler been? I'm usually not a worrier but spotty cell service (from what I understand) and slow access in and out of the park, as well as minimal 'civilization' gives me pause in case of emergency. Plus not having convenient access to a store to grab the diapers if we run out, or food, etc...

Take what you need and make do when it's not perfect. If you're not doing remote trails (which you are not) then you don't need cell service. None of you will starve. You are not traveling to a remote area. You are going to a national park. There will be plenty of food opportunities. There really are so few emergencies but we all worry so much about them.

I'd do this in a second but I am concerned that it won't be fun for you because you are so worried about everything.

Not OP, but Glacier actually is very remote even for a national park. It's not like Yellowstone with people crawling all over. For convenience purposes, with small kids I would stay outside the park, if only for easy access to grocery stores. I'm the PP who seconded the Whitefish rec.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the Whitefish rec. Staying in a town sounds like a better option for us and then daytripping into the park. As long as there's a wal-mart and an emergency clinic in reasonable proximity, I'm sure we could make do.

Generally I'm up for most travel and excursions and not one to say 'oh, that'll be too hard with the kids' but the outdoors/camping/adventure travel type stuff is just completely foreign to me. I've spent a grand total of ONE night in my life camping (with a friend's family, car camping, as a child) so bear with me here! If we decide to do the trip, I'm sure it'll be fine. Except perhaps for spending the whole week with my in-laws