Where Is Glacier National Park Located?

For those who question where is Glacier National Park located, many assume they will find this gorgeous area nestled somewhere in Alaska, or another country altogether. The truth is that, though Glacier Park gets a lot of tourism every year, it is a little unknown gem compared to other National Parks such as Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. Northwest Montana is where Glacier National Park lies, right on the Canadian border.

In 1997, my father was finally able to leave Illinois and move to his cabin, just on the western side of Glacier Park, in an area called the North Fork. He and his wife live completely off the grid, use a generator for power, a well for water and have an even closer view of Glacier, that you saw in my photo above, when sitting on their deck. It's a beautiful, spacious home and you never feel you are lacking anything. 

I grew tired of visiting each year, and crying like a baby when the Amtrak would return me back to Union Station in Chicago. Having left such beauty and serenity, I was met with rude people, honking cars and filth. So in 2001, my husband, daughter and yours truly decided that we weren't going to say goodbye anymore...we were moving to Glacier Country. Ten years later, we rv full time, and wintering in Glacier can be rough...but late spring through fall, you will find us there.

The park itself has so much to see, but northwest Montana is a magical place all by itself. You could spend a lifetime here and never see it all. Some of our favorite, remote spots to visit are places such as Red Meadow and Kintla Lake.

Many people, when visiting remote wilderness such as Glacier Park, Montana, fail to recognize that they are in the wilderness, sharing the forests with all of the wildlife in Glacier. It isn't a drive through zoo nor do guardrails ensure you needn't worry about safety.

Glacier is, indeed, wild terrain - yet something everyone should see in their lifetimes. As cities and asphalt take away what used to be rugged beauty in places like Colorado, Glacier National Park is a large area that is still protected from development. Because of this, wildlife you don't regularly see elsewhere consider Glacier their home.

Grizzly bear are found in very few locations anymore in the continental US. I've seen them and, when I do, it is considered a privilege and a thrill. Quite honestly, I am more afraid of humans than I am of nature. In addition, grizzlies are not hiding behind trees, hoping to pounce on humans. Bear encounters are rare, injuries from bears even moreso.

That said, taking off on a hike into Glacier puts you out in the wild, on your own. You need to carry bear spray, travel in groups, and read up on how to recognize bear signs. Park trails aren't there because they ensure safety - they are a way for you to go deep inside Glacier, to experience its beauty. 

So be sure to visit Glacier National Park and all of its beauty - but be aware you are seeing nature in its purest form. Use common sense and you will have a safe, memorable vacation. If you're anything like me, its magnetism might relocate you permanently.

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