Waterton-Glacier and Yellowstone NP (Date still open)

[OverlandZJ]

Doubt this qualifies as an expedition, but i'm planning a trip to Montana and Wyoming for this coming June. My son graduates HS this year and my best bud and i are taking him west. We'll have a convoy of 3 modified Jeeps.

We'll be leaving 6/9/06 and return to Philadelphia area around the 25th. I expect to get out to Wall,SD by noon on the 11th. Plan is to spend a few days outside Yellowstone fishing the area and then to Glacier for another week of camping and exploring and seeing the sights.

Were not the type to camp in common campgrounds and are seeking advice from others for remote camps, secret fishin holes and your favorite watering holes. Any input as far as backcountry scenic drives are also appreciated.

This will be my first trip to Grizzly country, i have read up on most Bear safety recomendations. I have camped in Black Bear country for years and never had an issue. Not being at the top of the food chain does make me nervous.

My bud has been to Glacier back in 94 with an old GF but did the inn/cabin thing. I'd like to make this a trip my son will remember for a lifetime...or until we get to Alaska in 08. Any input you guys can provide to make this a great trip will be much appreciated.

And of course any locals or others in the area are more than welcome to come share a seat around the campfire.

Thanks in advance!

[mountainpete]

Are you coming to the Canadian side (Waterton)?

If so, I can give you a bunch of ideas in the area. I spent a lot of time down there as a kid and still go there at least once a year. If you want to come about an hour north of there you can even hit some amazing Alberta backroads...

[paulj]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'common campgrounds'. Apart from the busy National Park campgrounds, most designated sites are on Forest Service lands. There may also be some BLM campsites. Some Forest Service districts also allow 'distributed' camping.

For a start, identify the forest service districts in the areas that you are interested in, and look them up on the web. Each district has some sort of guide to campgrounds, camping policies, and hikes. Some campgrounds are operated by private contractors, and have preservable sites (through ReserveAmerica).

The DeLorme map atlas book for the state would also be a good resource.

paulj

[OverlandZJ]

Are you coming to the Canadian side (Waterton)?

If so, I can give you a bunch of ideas in the area. I spent a lot of time down there as a kid and still go there at least once a year. If you want to come about an hour north of there you can even hit some amazing Alberta backroads...

I'd love to head into Canada and as far as Banff and Jasper...it's one of the places i'v wanted to visit for years. But i wont have the time this trip. I'm expecting to drive through that area in 08 on my way to Alaska.

[OverlandZJ]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'common campgrounds'. Apart from the busy National Park campgrounds, most designated sites are on Forest Service lands. There may also be some BLM campsites. Some Forest Service districts also allow 'distributed' camping.

For a start, identify the forest service districts in the areas that you are interested in, and look them up on the web. Each district has some sort of guide to campgrounds, camping policies, and hikes. Some campgrounds are operated by private contractors, and have preservable sites (through ReserveAmerica).

The DeLorme map atlas book for the state would also be a good resource.

paulj

Common campgrounds, i was refering to the tourist traps, KOA's and the like. I should have specified...we wont camp within the parks.

Forest Service camps are exactly what i'm looking for. My bud has the Gazateers for the areas and i havent had the opportunity to sit down with him and go over them yet. We really enjoy camping on/close to water.

I have a bad back so i had to give up backpacking years ago. My son and bud will surely take a day hike or two while i wet a fly.

Distributed Camping...is that camping permitted anywhere? 100' away from a water source/road etc?

Thanks for the input guys.

[mountainpete]

I'd love to head into Canada and as far as Banff and Jasper...it's one of the places i'v wanted to visit for years. But i wont have the time this trip. I'm expecting to drive through that area in 08 on my way to Alaska.

You don't have to go as far as Banff and Jasper - those places are packed with tourists anyways and camping is very restricted. There are lots of backcountry camping spots (Forestry Campsites) just north of the border at Eureka/Whitefish (a bunch inbetween Roosville, Elko, Cranbrook, Moyie and the border). The main fire roads there are high-speed fun too!

I know of one pretty little lake up there (Cherry lake if memory serves me right). We went there last year and it was a blast just trying to find. The roads just got to the point where it was more like a horse trail and then all of a sudden a pretty little lake with some nice clearings for camping. Fly fishing wasn't the best though - lots of fish but they were all pretty small. There a literally dozens of similar places in the area.

[Darren]

I'm not familiar with what camping you could get away with within Yellowstone, so I can't speak to that.

As for Glacier, the west side offers the most possibilities, as outside the park boundary is national forest. Specifically, in the Polebridge area up FR 486. There are a number of forest roads that take off to the west.

Outside the eastern side of the park is Indian reservation land, but I have managed to stay at a spot just outside the park entrance on the Many Glacier Road near the Lake Sherburne dam. On the south side, there is a dirt road that spurs off about 100 yards. It goes back into the trees where you could fit 3 vehicles easily enough and be hidden from view (from the road). I'm not sure if this is actually legal, per se, but I stayed here 3 consecutive nights without issue, and my truck was in plain view as there was a mud puddle that was blocking access back into the trees which I decided not to go through. There are a couple other side roads right in this area along Many Glacier Road, but this one seems to be the best option.

If you're looking to head up into Waterton, the best option for dispersed camping is just north of the Belly River Campground, which is just north of the border. The area sits in Beebee Flats. The dirt road turnoff is immediately north of a bridge on the west side crosses a stream (North Belly Creek, I presume). There is also a sign at the bridge, but I didn't record what it says. Anyway, there are a vast number of great spots back in here, both forested and open, and is only 20 minutes from the Waterton townsite.

[paulj]

Different forest districts have different policies regarding distributed camping. That's why I suggested looking up the districts.

As an example in the forests that I am most familiar with in western Washington, there are a number of sites that have been used informally for years - some off on lightly used side roads, some at clearings beside the main highways. Many are occupied on a first come basis during summer weekends. On the other hand, I believe some California districts are restricting such camping because of over use and/or abuse.

I suspect the Montana districts are non-restrictive, but I'd want to check anyways. Designated sites, though, will have the advantage of providing a table and outhouses. They are likely to be cleaner as well. Many FS sites also provide water and garbage collection, but these will all require payment.

Distributed sites are user maintained - or abused. Since it is hard to find lists of such sites, they mostly used by locals who know the area well.

paulj

[Cowboy]

Howdy fellas -

I'm the other half of this trip and have camped throughout the park including some the areas north of Polebridge. During my first trip I did contact the Blackfeet Rez for permission and they were very friendly about it. Might be worth spending time there as there's very little development. Anyone with any experiences to mention camping on the Rez? Some of the areas were closed because of forest fires the last time but the camps off Kitna Lake I believe were empty. I'd like to get deeper into the bush this time.

Traveling north of the border presents it's own problems because of gun restrictions so we'll stay on the US side.

Are there mandatory food storage regulations in place now? I heard they may have required backcountry travelers purchase some of those "bear-proof" containers that are strung up. Last time I was there a Grizz had pulled out a windshield to get at a Snickers bar in a glove compartment.

[OverlandZJ]

We have had the opportunity to do some research on the web,Gazateer etc my son has found he likes the possibilities offered in The Gallatin NF outside Yellowstone. We'll be spending about three days in that area.

We'll then spend about a week in Flathead NF outside Glacier NP. Looking at the gazateer we should have no trouble finding enough back roads to get us in a remote area where we can find the solitude were seeking. I still need to research designated camping locations within these mentioned NF's.

We'v also made a scheduling change. We will be pushing back the trip one week to depart on 4-16. That will add two days on the backside with July 4th holiday, that gives us another day out west and one day added to the return drive.

Thanks for all the input thus far...you guys are great.

I'm so looking forward to this trip, alot of new experiences for me.