Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park was established to protect the area's spectacular scenic value. The park encompasses approximately 1.4 million acres of wilderness and some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the western United States.
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.
There are over 50 glaciers in the park from which it gets its name. There are also over 200 lakes or streams in Glacier and over 730 miles of trails for hikers to enjoy in Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park is traversed from east to west by Going-to-the-Sun Road. Bisecting the heart of Glacier, this 50 mile long road follows the shores of the park's two largest lakes and hugs the cliffs below the Continental Divide as it crosses Logan Pass. Numerous scenic turnouts and wayside exhibits allow travelers to stop and enjoy the park at their own pace.
There are size restrictions for vehicles driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited on the steepest sections of the road.
The glaciers in Glacier National Park today are all geologically new having formed in the last few thousand years. Presently, all the glaciers in the park are shrinking. More snow melts each summer than accumulates each winter. Geologists theorize that approximately 20,000 years ago the climate became cooler and wetter. This allowed for the formation of huge glaciers that filled the valleys with thousands of feet of ice. These giant rivers of ice sculpted the mountains and valleys into their present appearance. Today's glaciers are carving at the mountains as well. Although smaller, they work in the same way as the larger glaciers of the past, and teach us about Glacier National Park's geologic history.
Glacier National Park is served by three Visitor Centers; Apgar, Logan Pass and St. Mary’s. Ranger-guided-naturalist activities are available throughout the park from mid-June through September. Call 406-888-5441 for details.
Come and enjoy Glacier Nationa Park, a visit to Glacier is still a great adventure!
You can find additional Glacier National Park information by clicking on the links below. Enjoy all that Glacier has to offer!
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