Banff vs Glacier

Jmort1754

WKR
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Messages
1,633
Going to take the family on a late summer trip this year, we have passports.

Anyone input on either of these destinations? I know Glacier can be a nut house so if someone has other input on areas to visit we are open.
 

ljalberta

WKR
Joined
Dec 7, 2015
Messages
1,679
Never been to glacier, but Banff is a zoo in the summer. Pretty place though. I much prefer Jasper. It’s also busy in the summer, but the numbers aren’t as bad. A little more rustic I suppose.
 

Johnny Tyndall

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 17, 2021
Messages
219
Location
MT
Jasper. Glacier is a cluster. Trying to figure out how to camp there is at least as complicated as most draws. There's basically only one road through the park and the shuttle doesn't work as well as it should. Canada has bigger mountains, way more of them, and the campgrounds are nicer.
 

ljalberta

WKR
Joined
Dec 7, 2015
Messages
1,679
The downside about the campgrounds in Jasper, is they hacked and slashes away 98% of the trees in the biggest campgrounds. They used to be gorgeous, more private stalls. Some feel like a parking lot now.

But chronic park mismanagement is a thing in Canada.
 

UpNorth89

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 12, 2019
Messages
179
I went to Glacier last year the week after labor day and it was nuts. Nowhere to park hardly or to get any privacy. Even many miles back in on the trails you can't go more than a couple minutes without running into someone. Beautiful country though. Saw some grizzlies, goats and sheep.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
8,058
Location
S. UTAH
Went to Glacier last spring and it was great. No issues parking at any of the turnouts or trail heads. Didn't see anything other than deer though. Next time I go that way it will be to the Canadian side.
 

Backcountry_Preacher

Lil-Rokslider
Classified Approved
Joined
Mar 31, 2021
Messages
165
Location
Monterey, La
We went to Glacier last summer and loved it. It does get crowded on the road to the sun, but there are plenty of places you can go to get away from folks.

The Grinnell Glacier Trail was probably our favorite. IMG_1538.jpeg
img_1578-jpeg.673496
IMG_4259.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1578.jpeg
    IMG_1578.jpeg
    569.9 KB · Views: 203

Luke S

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 7, 2019
Messages
241
Both are nice. But Banff and Jasper are prettier and you can probably get away from crowds easier.
 

bozeman

WKR
Joined
Dec 5, 2016
Messages
2,879
Location
Alabama
Glacier was one of the best trips we have taken to any national park. Get in early, get on the trails....wasnt as crowded as I expected it to be. gorgeous views!!!!!!!!!!
 
Joined
Dec 10, 2023
Messages
64
Banff truly is amazing! I've been all over Glacier in the "Good Ole Days" pre Plandemic and it's a fantastic place, but Banff and Jasper have it beat.

Just plan on spending a whack of cash on food and lodging !
 

elkguide

WKR
Joined
Jan 26, 2016
Messages
4,780
Location
Vermont
Glacier is from my point of view the premier national park in the US. Since covid and everyone's desire to get back to nature, it's a real zoo trying to get through all of the traffic on foot and in vehicle.

With that said, Banf, Jasper would get my vote even with the Canadian rip-off taxes and prices in general.
 
Top