Visiting Glacier National Park? A few tips for RVers

McDonald Lake from the Apgar area.

Glacier National Park, created in 1910, is one of America's beauty spots. Bird Grinnell, co-founder of the Audobon Society,  described the area in 1908 as the "Crown of the Continent." Don't miss it if you have the chance.

Bighorn Sheep at Logan Pass

There are 13 gorgeous, primitive campgrounds, but if you don't have a reservation, stay at Apgar at the park's west entrance. Many sites will accommodate big rig RVs.

In the busy summer, when the park is crawling with vacationers, arrive early in the week in late morning to snag a recently vacated spot. If you arrive later, you'll likely be out of luck. If you can plan ahead, make a reservation at another campground. There are many private campgrounds on the west side of the park in the nearby towns of Hungry Horse and Columbia Falls.

Red Bus on Going to the Sun Road

It's a 10-minute walk from the Apgar Campground to the Visitor's Center, where you can pick up a free park shuttle for a ride to Logan Pass on the incredible Going to the Sun Road, a narrow two-laner and engineering marvel cut into the side of mountains. Arrive early for the shuttle: they leave every half hour. You may have to wait an hour or longer in late morning. Vehicles 21 feet and longer (or more than eight feet wide) are prohibited on the Going to the Sun Road, so the shuttle or a 1930s-era Red Bus ($55 per person for a guided tour) are the only way to go if you don't have a personal vehicle.

If you take the shuttle, get off at the beautiful and historic Lake McDonald Lodge for lunch. You can hop on another bus to the summit.

Red Bus passengers snap photos.

The shuttle and Red Buses also depart from the St. Mary area on the east side of the park. It's possible to go from one end of the park on the shuttle, but allow seven hours.

On the Going to the Sun Road and elsewhere, keep your eyes open for Deer, Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats. If you're lucky, you'll see a Black Bear or Grizzly (if you do, keep at least 100 yards between you and the animal).

Columbian Ground Squirrel

If you hike on trails or ride a mountain bike, rent a can of bear spray in Apgar Village for $5 a day. Or buy a can for $42. Be sure you study up on how to avoid meeting up with a bear and what to do if you encounter one. You could also come across a Mountain Lion, so study up on those, too. There are Wolves in the park, but they're elusive.

Keep your camera ready for small wildlife. Columbian Ground Squirrels are everywhere and are easily photographed. One of the best spots for seeing wildlife of all sizes is at Logan Pass. Bighorn Sheep graze right by the parking lot. Take pics but keep at least 25 yards away from these large and unpredictable animals. From the Logan Pass visitor center, set aside two hours to hike to and from Hidden Lake.

Learn more about Glacier National Park at its website.