View from Grinnell Lake

You’ll discover some of the greatest natural and cultural treasures on Earth. Glacier Country's state and national parks house stunning scenery and dazzling waters to geologic wonders and cultural history.

 

Glacier National Park

Established first as a Forest Preserve in 1900, then as a National Park in 1910, Glacier has had conservationists, environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts lobbying for protection of the approximate 1.4 million acres since the late 1800's. A combination of spectacular scenery, diverse flora and fauna, and relative isolation from major population centers have combined to make Glacier National Park the center of one of the largest and most intact ecosystems in North America.

Although Glacier National Park is open year round, most visitor services within the park are only available from May to September. Many communities in the surrounding areas provide 'off-season' amenities.

Only one road crosses the park, from West Glacier over Logan Pass to St. Mary, the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road was completed in 1932 after 11 years of work. The GTSR is considered an engineering marvel, is a National Historic Landmark, and one of the most scenic drives in North America.

Just across the border, in Canada, is Waterton Lakes National Park. In 1931, members of the Rotary Clubs of Alberta and Montana suggested joining the two parks as a symbol of the peace and friendship between our two countries. In 1932, the United States and Canadian governments voted to designate the parks as Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the world's first. The parks are both Biosphere Reserves, and were named as a World Heritage Site in 1995.

While much has changed since the first visitors came to Glacier, it is possible to relive some of Glacier’s early history. You can take a horseback ride like an early visitor. Miles of hiking trails follow routes first used by trappers in the early 1800's. Several hotels and chalets, built by the Great Northern Railway in the early 1900's, house guests to the park.

Region 2

Travelers' Rest State Park

Nestled between meadows and Lolo Creek is Travelers Rest State Park, an ancient Native American camp spot used later by Lewis and Clark. Rich in history, this site holds a thousand years of the past beneath every footstep. Archaeologists uncovered evidence of the Corps of Discovery using this spot... more...

City: Lolo
Phone: 406-273-4253
Email: info@travelersrest.org
http://www.travelersrest.org

Region 1

Name Address Phone Location
Big Arm State Park 490 North Meridian (406) 752-5501 Kalispell
Council Grove State Park 3201 Spurgin Road (406) 542-5500 Missoula
Finley Point State Park --- (406) 887-2715 Polson
Lake Mary Ronan State Park --- (406) 849-5082 Big Arm
Logan State Park --- (406) 293-7190 Kalispell
Lone Pine State Park 300 Lone Pine Road (406) 755-2706 Kalispell
Wayfarer State Park --- (406) 837-4196 Bigfork
West Shore State Park --- (406) 752-5501 Kalispell
Whitefish Lake State Park --- (406) 862-3991 Whitefish
Wild Horse Island State Park --- (406) 752-5501 Big Arm
Yellow Bay State Park --- (406) 982-3034 Bigfork/Polson

Region 2

Name Address Phone Location
Beavertail Hill State Park --- (406) 542-5500 Drummond
Fort Owen State Park Secondary 269 (406) 542-5500 Stevensville
Frenchtown Pond State Park Frontage Road (406) 542-5500 Frenchtown
Painted Rocks State Park Secondary 473 (406) 542-5500 Stevensville
Placid Lake State Park PO Box 136 (406) 542-5500 Seeley Lake
Salmon Lake State Park Montana Highway 83 (406) 542-5500 Seeley Lake
Traveler's Rest State Park 6755 Highway 12 (406) 273-4253 Lolo

Region 3

Name Address Phone Location
Thompson Falls State Park 490 North Meridian Road (406) 827-3110 Thompson Falls

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