Northwestern Montana: Glacier National Park & Kalispell / Whitefish

Glacier National Park, located almost 50 miles from the Canadian border, is difficult to reach. So, when I finally paid my entry fee, I was very excited to view its attractions.

Glacier National Park Lodge

All of the great national parks of the west have broad mountains and beautiful water features – lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, even geysers.

I saw many people fish the streams / rivers / lakes of Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier (Lake McDonald) and Yosemite.

Lake McDonald is a big clear blue lake.

The Flathead River (following picture) is mighty, fast moving and meanders throughout the park.

Another view of the Flathead River valley.

Glacier National Park is mainly accessed by an east – west road; no loop road. The glaciers are located some miles north of this road and hiking may be needed to see them. A lot of buffalo and some cattle roam the valley – wildlife is abundant so visitors should drive very carefully. I saw four dead deer on different highways during my sixteen days of travel.

Highway 2 in far western Montana.