By Mitch Christianson
Embarking on a Cross-Country Road Trip to Glacier National Park.
Yesterday, I embarked on a road trip from Mankato, MN, heading towards Glacier National Park. The goal is to explore Glacier National Park and Olympic National Park before starting my job at Crater Lake National Park on June 11. From June 5 to June 11, my journey will take me from Glacier National Park to Olympic National Park and finally to Crater Lake. So far, the trip’s been smooth – no spinouts like last year, which is already a win!
Freestyle Exploring in Glacier and Olympic
I’ll be spending two days in Glacier National Park and two days in Olympic National Park. The only things I’ve planned are visiting Avalanche Lake and driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Beyond that, I like to freestyle when I visit new places and let the road guide me. My main goal is to hike and fish as much as possible. For camping, I use the free app iOverlander, which helps me find dispersed campsites. Just make sure to read the descriptions and check photos so you know what you’re getting into on a Glacier National Park road trip itinerary.
The Emotional Side of Road Trips: Saying Goodbye to Loved Ones
You know, the hardest part of going on these trips isn’t actually the driving or the long hours in the car. It’s the people I’m leaving behind that affect me the most as I first begin these trips. Saying goodbye to friends and family is always difficult, and I know I’m gonna miss my doggie a lot. But honestly, if I weren’t doing this road trip, I’d just be job hunting at home, and I wouldn’t be as active as I am when I’m exploring new places. So, although there is sadness, there’s also a sense of freedom and curiosity that really takes hold during this long-distance travel.
Key notes
- Emotional side of long-distance travel.
- Mental challenges of solo travel.
- Road trip reflections.
Looking Back on Yellowstone and Ahead to Glacier
Last year, I drove from Minnesota to Yellowstone National Park, and I can’t help but reminisce about that trip. The night before leaving, I was too nervous to sleep, and the same feeling hit me during the drive. Before heading out to Glacier National Park, I also tossed and turned, but once I got behind the wheel, I felt much calmer. Having already lived and worked in a national park helped me know what to expect..
This time, I was relaxed, excited, and ready to see what Montana had in store on my road trip from Minnesota to Glacier National Park.
Camping and Unexpected Roadside Encounters on the Way to Glacier National Park.
My journey took me through North Dakota and Montana, where I made several stops along the way. I only made two long stops during the trip. After the first quick pit stop, about four hours in just outside of North Dakota, I kept driving for another five hours before stopping just outside Montana. It was here I had one of my favorite road trip camping moments – grabbing a quick bite at a Burger King, where I tried to order a bacon and ham sandwich, but fatigue made it hard to form words. Even with a cute voice from the drive-thru lady I still struggled but, I managed to secure the sandwich and take a much-needed nap after eating.
Side note: My car doesn’t have AC so the enitre road-trip I was cooking. Napping in 90 degree heat outside of a Burger King was not easy.
Mitch C
After waking up feeling like I had been dehydrated for hours, I made my way into the gas station to grab some water. Inside, the place was filled with older men sitting around talking about who-knows-what, and I couldn’t help but notice the gas station clerk had stunning blue eyes. I didn’t say anything, but it was one of those quirky roadside encounters that make long-distance travel so memorable.
My final stop was inside Billings, after driving for 8 hours straight. A fellow traveler, in high-vis gear, yelled over from across the lot, “What part of Minnesota are you from!” We exchanged a few words, and I found out he was from St.Paul MN and was working on road construction near Billings. After that, I made the final push to my campsite, which was about four more hours from Glacier National Park.
Camping by the Lake: A Peaceful Night Under the Stars Near Glacier National Park.
I’m currently sitting at my campsite, writing this on a beautiful morning by a tranquil lake. As a Minnesotan, camping by water feels comforting. Though I don’t have service to tell you the name of the place, it’s a reservoir about 4 hours from Glacier National Park.
The first thing I did when I arrived was set up my tent, then cook up some Spaghetti O’s on the fire. The sun was just setting over the water, and there was a slight chop on the lake. After eating, I tried my hand at fishing for a bit. The wind calmed down, and I could see fish busting on the surface, but my lures were either too light or too heavy. I didn’t catch anything, but the sunset over the mountains made it worth it.
The Final Push to Glacier National Park: Preparing for the Adventure Ahead.
After fishing, I had a beer, took a leak, and crawled into my tent. As the temperature dropped from 50 to 34 degrees, I woke up needing to pee and shivering from the cold. I started the car to warm up but ended up dozing off inside it, which felt like a soft move. But it was a great way to stay warm. Tonight, I’ll try harder to tough it out in the tent.
That’s all I have for the beginning of my road trip to Glacier National Park. Today, I’ll be heading to Glacier National Park, and I’m beyond excited to continue the adventure. I’ll keep posting updates along the way, so if you’re not subscribed to my email list yet, make sure you do so for links to each new blog post!
I can’t wait to explore the trails, lakes, and stunning views of Glacier National Park. With so much to do and see, I know it’ll be a trip I’ll never forget. If you’re planning a Glacier National Park adventure, make sure to check out all the amazing outdoor activities and sights this place has to offer! elements.