Many Glacier Campground: A Family Adventure (and a Few Bear-Sized Challenges!) - A Patel Family Review

Glacier National Park. The name itself conjures images of soaring peaks, turquoise lakes, and, let's be honest, a healthy dose of "are we going to see a bear?!" For our family, Priya, Samir, and our three kids – Rohan (12), Maya (6), and little Avi (4) – it was the ultimate camping test. Fresh from Chicago and relatively new to this whole "roughing it" thing, we decided to brave Many Glacier Campground. Was it a perfect 10? Not quite. But the memories, the views, and the sheer wildness of the place? Unforgettable.

Finding Our Slice of Montana: Campsite B23

Getting to Many Glacier Campground was surprisingly easy. The signs from the Going-to-the-Sun Road are clear, but be warned: that last mile is a gravel road guaranteed to give your car a good shake. Think of it as a Montana massage!

Campsite B23 itself was… well, let’s call it "character-building." It was partially shaded by beautiful pine trees, offering some respite from the Montana sun, and blessed with a distant, stunning view of Swiftcurrent Lake. The downside? The ground was more uneven than a Chicago pothole-ridden street. Leveling blocks became our best friends. Setting up our trusty, slightly-the-worse-for-wear Coleman Sundome 6-person tent (inherited from Priya’s Uncle, thanks Uncle!), tested our marriage… I mean, teamwork skills.

Rules are Rules (Especially When Bears are Involved!)

Glacier National Park doesn't mess around with bear safety, and neither should you. The campground rules are crystal clear: all food, coolers, and anything with a scent must be stored in the provided bear boxes. And they mean everything. Priya, always the cautious one, even triple-bagged our toothpaste. Samir, on the other hand, was more concerned with showing off his brand new Kelty Galactic 30 Degree sleeping bag, which, admittedly, did look ridiculously comfortable.

Basic Necessities (or Lack Thereof)

Let's talk bathrooms. They were pit toilets. Clean pit toilets, thankfully, but still pit toilets. Located a short walk from our campsite, they served their purpose. However, be prepared to embrace your inner rugged pioneer, because there are no showers at Many Glacier Campground. Baby wipes became our new best friend.

Adventures on and Around Swiftcurrent Lake

Despite the minor inconveniences, Many Glacier truly shone when it came to activities. One morning, we rented a canoe from the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Paddling on that crystal-clear, turquoise water was pure magic. Even Avi, our youngest, was captivated (for at least ten minutes, which is a win in our book!).

We also took a short, kid-friendly hike to Fishercap Lake. And guess what? We saw a moose! A real, live moose, happily munching away in the shallows. The kids were ecstatic. It made all the slightly stressful tent setup worth it. In the evening, we attended a ranger talk about glaciers at the Many Glacier Hotel. The hotel itself is a sight to behold – a grand, old building that exudes history. The children were particularly fascinated by the old photos of the glaciers and how much they've receded. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of conservation.

Campfire Cuisine: Curry Under the Stars

No camping trip is complete without campfire cooking. We embraced the classic foil packet dinner – chicken, potatoes, carrots, and onions. But being the Patel family, we kicked it up a notch with a generous sprinkle of Indian spices. The aroma alone attracted envious glances from our fellow campers!

We also adapted some of our favorite Indian recipes for campfire cooking. Dal and rice cooked in our trusty Lodge cast iron skillet became a nightly staple. Pro tip: pre-soaking the dal speeds up the cooking time considerably!

Marmot Mayhem (From a Safe Distance!)

One afternoon, we had a close (but safe!) encounter with a marmot. It ventured a little too close to our campsite, lured by the scent of… well, probably everything. The kids were initially thrilled, wanting to offer it a snack. We quickly explained the importance of not feeding the wildlife. It was a good learning experience, transforming initial excitement into an understanding of respecting the animals and their environment.

The Verdict: Stunning Views, Some Growing Pains

So, how would we rate Many Glacier Campground? Overall, we'd give it a 6.5/10. The scenery is undeniably breathtaking. The location is perfect for exploring the Many Glacier area. But, let’s be real: camping with young children in a busy, bear-prone campground with limited amenities is challenging. The uneven ground, the pit toilets, and the constant vigilance against attracting unwanted furry visitors are definitely pain points.

Pro Tip: Pack extra layers and be prepared for sudden weather changes – even in summer! We learned this the hard way when a surprise rainstorm turned our idyllic afternoon into a mad dash for the tent.

And one more thing: don't be afraid to share your food! We ended up sharing some of our dal and rice with our neighbors, a lovely couple from Seattle who had forgotten their spices. It created a sense of community that made the whole experience even more special. Adapting some of our favorite Indian recipes for campfire cooking was a huge success. The warmth of the campfire, the delicious smells, and the shared meals created lasting memories. Despite the challenges, Many Glacier Campground provided an unforgettable family adventure. We'll be back (maybe with a slightly more level tent site!).