Glacier National Park, MT

The Last Best Place

The folks in Montana like to call their state "The Last Best Place." If so, then Glacier National Park is "The Last Best Place in the Last Best Place."

Launch loading passengers
at dock, copyright Glacier
National Park

Established in 1910, this was land of rare, untouched natural beauty sculpted by ice millions of years ago. Only three roads wind through the park's 1,600 square miles of alpine meadows, forests, rivers, waterfalls, and 200 sparkling lakes -- not to mention 50 small glaciers.

With gas-belching RVs restricted to paved terrain, local wildlife seem more at ease here. In fact, it's not uncommon to see elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bald eagles, songbirds, and deer roaming freely. The park is so pristine, it has been designated one of seven "World Heritage" parks in the U.S.

Indeed, Glacier's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. But you don't have to be an extreme athlete to enjoy it. You can eyeball the scenery from big picture windows at Many Glacier Hotel, from the bow of a small cruise boat, along short hiking trails over a mountain pass, or even from the windows of your car.