Outside the Park camping options

[Ear Mountain]

"Downtown West Glacier" -- That's funny Lyman.

[llholmes1948]

"Downtown West Glacier" -- That's funny Lyman.

Ralph,

If you spend the summer working at Lake McDonald Lodge, it will become clear that West Glacier does have a downtown and that Kalispell and Whitefish are cities. The jury is still out on Columbia Falls.

Lyman

[Ear Mountain]

Yep, all things are relative I guess. It's just that a place like West Glacier is so ephemeral. Those that only frequent the park in summer can call it "downtown" West Glacier but what about the period from October through May. Pretty empty then. More like a ghost town. Only the PO is in business. At least East Glacier has some things happenin all through the winter.

[kiddoc]

We returned home about a month ago-- stayed three nights each at West Glacier and St.Mary KOA's with a night in between at Many Glacier Hotel. WE tent camped one night at St.Mary's KOA right next to the river--beautiful. The price difference between KOA and NPS tent camping was $10 or so-- and for that difference we had free showers, playground, hot tubs,WiFi(some of the time), pool, affordable all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts. Camping with three kids, the ammenities were nice. We were also lucky to be able to move to a Kabin our next two nights when we saw the forecast for rain-- I think they had a good 3-4" along with 30mph winds and 52 degrees the day we took down our tent!

[llholmes1948]

Jen has pointed out to me that the Sears Motel in East Glacier has some tent and RV sites according to their website:

http://www.searsmotel.com/

The good people at the motel tell me that tha amenities with the campground are bathrooms and shower and that there is a laundromat across the street. Of course we know that there are restaurants across the street.

This appears to be the only campground at East Glacier that I have found. If someone on the Chat has tented there, perhaps they can give us a review.

Lyman

[Tara]

There's a laundromat across the street? Where? I thought the only one in East Glacier was on Hwy 2 and isn't open any more?

[llholmes1948]

There's a laundromat across the street? Where? I thought the only one in East Glacier was on Hwy 2 and isn't open any more?

This is what the people at the Sears Motel told me when I called them yesterday for information on their tent sites.

Perhaps this is another undercover assignment for Slowhiker.

Lyman

[Jen]

There's a laundromat across the street? Where? I thought the only one in East Glacier was on Hwy 2 and isn't open any more?

This is what the people at the Sears Motel told me when I called them yesterday for information on their tent sites.

Perhaps this is another undercover assignment for Slowhiker.

Lyman

Farmgirl and I will scope it out. (in 15 days )

[llholmes1948]

There's a laundromat across the street? Where? I thought the only one in East Glacier was on Hwy 2 and isn't open any more?

This is what the people at the Sears Motel told me when I called them yesterday for information on their tent sites.

Perhaps this is another undercover assignment for Slowhiker.

Lyman

Farmgirl and I will scope it out. (in 15 days )

Good. If we use Slowhiker too many times for these assignments her cover will be blown. Now you and Farmgirl are on the case. You know what to do. You know what we want. Be safe and we look forward to your report (and perhaps some clandestine photos of this mysterious laundromat).

Lyman

[slowhiker]

Are there some laundry facilities at Brownies that they are referring to? This is a good assignment for Jen and Farmgirl. I will gladly provide backup support. Jen, do you and Farmgirl need a ride?

[Jen]

Are there some laundry facilities at Brownies that they are referring to? This is a good assignment for Jen and Farmgirl. I will gladly provide backup support. Jen, do you and Farmgirl need a ride?

There will be a photo documentation of said laudry facility or lack there of.

Yes we will need a ride. Is your vehicle disguised?

I love a good undercover mission!

[slowhiker]

I'll cover it with some branches or something like that. No one will ever recognize it.

[Jen]

I'll cover it with some branches or something like that. No one will ever recognize it.

This mission is shaping up nicely!