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Jun 14, 2018

Glacier National Park in Montana | Taylor's Auto MaxWant to take a break, but don’t have time to take a full-fledged trip? Check out one of these nearby spots for a mini-vacation that will help you feel refreshed before you head back to work on Monday.

Glacier National Park

Only two hours from Great Falls, Glacier National Park is a great spot to get outdoors and enjoy some natural beauty for a quick getaway. The park itself is enormous at over one million acres. It has two mountain ranges, over 130 lakes, and thousands of plants and animals to discover.

Pack your tent, your mountain bikes, and your binoculars to enjoy the true experience of the park. There are camping areas available within the park or you can book ahead and stay in one of the on-site cabins. Head off on one of the hiking trails that can take you up above the tree line so that you can get incredible views back over the park.

Glacier National Park is also home to the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s a 50-mile road through the park that winds along the mountainside. It’s one of Montana’s top attractions. The park is busiest during the summer, so be sure to plan your trip well in advance so you don’t miss out on any of the camping spots.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Another nearby national park, Waterton Lakes is a wonderful weekend getaway from Great Falls, just be sure to pack your passport. Waterton Lakes National Park is just across the border in Canada. If you don’t love camping, this park is a great option. You can stay in a nice hotel in the town of Waterton and then head into the park during the day.

Head out onto the lake with a kayak or canoe or go hiking and keep your eyes peeled for grizzly bears and bighorn sheep. For a nice dinner or fancy afternoon tea, head back into town and soak in the views of the surrounding area at the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake, which is about three and a half hours from Great Falls, is the largest natural freshwater lake in the Western United States. It has 185 miles of shoreline; you can go fishing from the shore or you can launch a boat and head out on the water.

There are several recreation areas where you can bring a tent or a caravan to camp each night. These recreation areas also have bathrooms, showers, boat launches, swimming areas, and picnic facilities. If you want to access the southern area of the lake, you will need to purchase a tribal recreation permit. The area is home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation, a beautiful part of the lake area.

Great Falls residents are so lucky to have easy access to the stunning natural beauty of central Montana. You are close to the Canadian border, there are mountains, prairies, and wildlife around every corner, and it’s all available at an affordable price.

Check out one of these fantastic trips the next time you want to take a mini-vacation from Great Falls.

 

Image by diosthenese, Licensed via CC BY 2.0