This unique bus tour narrative concentrates on Glacier's natural features relevant to the Blackfeet Nation, past and present. Daylong tours cost about $100 for adults and $50 for children. Each new bus cost about $5000 in 1936, equal to $91,000 today. There are dramatic photos of how one of the biggest glaciers in the park has virtually disappeared since the turn of the 20th century. But this stunning scenic drive is only open a few months a year. Red Bus Tours Reviews | U.S. News Travel Schedule Varies: Average 48-50 hours/week. There. We took the half day West Glacier Alpine Tour at the end of August with Margaret as our tour guide. In fact, the vintage 1930s buses are part of the human history and heritage of the park. But thanks to rising global temperatures, caused in part by fossil fuel consumption, the earth is warming and the glaciers are melting. 25 feet in length, these classic sedans hold 17 passengers as their drivers take you on a guided ride amidst the majestic landscapes. Tours depart daily from East Glacier . By continuing to use our site, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our cookie policy. Driving around Glacier is a spectacular way to see the sights particularly along Going-to-the-Sun Road but drivers may sometimes miss out, especially if they're behind the wheel. By continuing to use our site, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our cookie policy. more information on current conditions www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/red-bus-tours. WORK. On the west side, you can catch the tour at Lake McDonald Lodge, Apgar Visitor Center and the West Glacier KOA. EASY to MODERATE Hikes Listed by Specific Area of Glacier Park. Red Bus Tours Of Glacier National Park In West Glacier, MT Tours will go rain or shine and if the full tour is not available due to the Going-to-the-Sun Road closures, alternate routes will be provided. After lunch the tour will return to Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier. Each member of my family has said the hours spend with Debbie on our Red Bus were the highlight of our week at Glacier Park and Whitefish Lake. Local wildlife trophies, western artwork, a wood-burning fireplace, and rocking chairs make it feel both rugged and comforting. I was going to leave my comfortable home in St. Louis and move to Montana for the summer. The fleet of 33 buses in Glacier is widely considered to be the oldest touring fleet of vehicles anywhere in the world, so due to the historic nature of the Red Buses, seats are not designed to the same standards as todays buses. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Glacier Red Bus Tour - Going to the Sun Road - YouTube The red bus tour out of Many Glacier is very long---6 - 8 hrs. Sun Bus Tour: The Blackfeet Nation's Historic Perspective. Discovering Kindred Spirits With Travelers Over 50. The bus drivers, I learned, give tours of the park. The trip advertised lunch on your own at rising sun, however when we arrived the only restaurant there had a longer wait to be seated than the planned duration of the stop. You will love visiting the national parks of the U.S., and Glacier is an unforgettable experience. The red buses seat 16 people, with 4 across on bench seating. Its called Grinnell Glacier and is located in the Many Glacier Valley. COMPREHENSIVE INFO to Help Plan a Glacier Vacation. We had a great experience booking through Pursuit-The Glacier National Park Collection in Apgar Village. Looking to create your own Montana experience? The White Motor Company designed the Model 706s specifically for use in the national parks in the U.S. I do! Hello, We did the Western Alpine Tour from Apgar Visitor Center. A Must - See for first time planning! See The Waterfalls In St Mary Valley. Red Jammer Bus tours generally operate between late May and late September. It is not the most comfortable way to view the park for many people. We were lucky to stay in the park by checking a few months prior to our trip. 1 month circle tour for HIKERS: Kananaskis/Banff/Jasper, Yoho and Glacier/Waterton. The lobby area of Lake McDonald Lodge looks like a hunting lodge of huge proportions. 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One of the most spectacular scenic drives in America, this road is both a National Historic Landmark and a Civil Engineering Landmark and passes through almost every type of terrain the park offers, from glacial lakes, waterfalls and cedar forests to alpine peaks. Ours was Rosemary, named for Jammer Karls mother. As examples, the 2019 Eastside tours operated from June 8 to September 22. Why? There is also an opportunity to get out and take an optional short walk on a few of the trails along the way. Today, each bus sports a government license plate. Sun Tours offers interpretive tours, on air conditioned 25-passenger window coaches, highlighting Blackfeet culture. Prices from $34-$100 per person. The bus picked us up at the Apgar Visitor center. How To "ASK A QUESTION" on the Glacier or Other TA Forums. If you would like to read other blogs with historical significance, take a look at blogs with information on St. Augustine, Cumberland Island, and Jekyll Island. SUN ROAD Mile By Mile attractions: W Glacier > Apgar > entire Sun Rd > St Mary exit. Pack your bags and leave the kids behind for your next cruise adventure. Plus, each bus accommodates just 17 passengers. Listed by area park area w/booking hints. My jammer, Rick, was very knowledgeable and was good at sharing info about the park, the geology, and the buses while still giving us time to reflect and enjoy the scenery. The road is only open during the summer months, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly. Prices from $34-$100 for adults, depending on the tour. Subscribe to our newsletter to received exlusive specials and travel deals! 29 Glacier Ave. But, we have a huge job, and thats preserving it all for our kids and their kids. Sun Tours provide valuable insight into Glacier's natural beauty and the cultural relevance to the Blackfeet. Some walking trails and stops along the road are wheelchair accessible. With several touring routes throughout Glacier, visitors have their choice of select journeys and departure destinations, broken down into areas, including: East Glacier, Northeast Glacier, West Glacier, Waterton (Canada), and more. These chauffeured buses date back to the 1930s, and feature canvas rollback tops that offer unencumbered views of the surrounding landscape. For current road status updates, we recommend visiting the National Park Services website. Improve this listing Similar Experiences Glacier National Park Scenic Float 54 from $94.88 Half the fun of this tour is riding in the iconic, open-top, red buses. YOUR U.S. PASSPORT EXPIRATION MAY BE CLOSER THAN IT APPEARS! blankets, we stayed warm on our rainy day. Refund amount varies based upon tour price and pickup point. Superb 2 hour Color Video of Glacier/Waterton. www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/red-bus-tours, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Red Bus Tour Driver - Glacier National Park - LinkedIn Red Bus Tours - VisitMT.com These tours travel in 25-passenger mini buses. 2023. This alternate route is offered at the same price as the standard Eastern Alpine Tour. EXPLORE in Glacier National Park! The earliest transportation in Glacier National Park consisted of four-horse coaches. Updated 3/6/23. Its about a 15 min drive from there to Lake McDonald Lodge. overlooks, timing the stops with the weather, so the two seemed to be in This tour will change into the alternate route of the Western Alpine Tour listed above. Other management companies (besides the official NPS) offer lodging within Glacier National Park. Our driver often stopped at Report inappropriate content 6. The restoration will span several years with the work being done in the off-season. When coming to the park, consider a historic Red Bus Tour. The Apgar Visitor Center scheduled pick up will now be 2:00pm vs. 1:30pm. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. *Please note that lunch at Many Glacier Hotel is not included in the price of the tour, but there will be time for a break and lunch may be purchased at the property. Theyve also used the historic vehicles for evacuations during times of fire or flooding. Its always good to have a plan, so you can get the most out of your Montana experience. When I found the Glacier Red Bus Tours for my family of 14 (ages 14 - 80+) were booked solidly during June 2021, I found we could charter an entire bus for my family. But as soon as Jammer Karl greeted us for our Red Bus Tours in Glacier National Park, we knew we were in for a fabulous day. The company that runs the buses as a concession to the park service, Xanterra, provides the training for both. The Glacier Park Red Bus Tours are all-round trips and set off from both the east and west sides of the park. Theres also been an impact on the flora and fauna in the park. Full tour dependent upon access to Logan Pass Visitor Center. When Is The Best Time to see Northern Lights in Northern Montana or in Glacier Park? The best laid plans. Its no ones fault except Mother Nature who dumped 10 of snow 3 weeks ago. I agree with the previous comment. There are nine tour routes in total. This was a trip of a life-time for us only to be aborted. Taking the Red Bus Tour allowed us time to Red bus tour - Review of Glacier Park Red Bus Tours, Glacier National The famous Red Buses serve as an ideal way to see and learn more about Glacier National Park. Can you say jobs program for a part of Ohio? By Shady Hartshorne The buses can run on propane or gasoline and are a stylish way to see this huge million-acre National park. Tour the Stunning Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier Park Montana There are 750 miles of hiking trails, huge lakes, beautiful waterfalls, and animals everywhere. These are snug quarters with limited space. What Can We Do in the Flathead Valley/Flathead Lake Areas? For short tours, expect tickets to start at $40 for adults and $20 for children. Read trip descriptions here. On the border is a Canadian national park, Waterton Lakes. <<, The Three Valley tour is shown on the map on Xanterra's webpage: https://www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/red-bus-tours/east-side-tours/. Glacier: 80-degree highs and 20 percent humidity. I remind visitors that this is their park that it was created so we can enjoy it today. WORK. If you would like to travel with the Grans, subscribe to our blog at Gransonthego.com. With incredible fine dining restaurants, steakhouses, bakeries, bars, breweries, food trucks and cafs serving up a mix of everythingfor every kind of eaterMontana is an adventure in food, too. Is there any advantage or disadvantage to picking it up at Apgar Visitor Center vs Lake McDonald Lodge? This spectacular 50-mile road through the Rocky Mountains of Glacier National Park in western Montana seemingly defies the laws of physics, all while offering visitors a spellbinding travel experience. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Jammers like to ease the tension of some of the passengers as they view the steep drop-offs on the winding roads. breaking up our group and refusing to let us sit together. Daily service from West Glacier, East Glacier, St. Mary, and Browning during the peak season. which red bus tour? - Glacier National Park Forum - Tripadvisor The tour will leave West Glacier KOA, Apgar Visitor Center, Village Inn and Lake McDonald as scheduled and then travel along Hwy 2 to East Glacier with stops along the way. If the temperature is cool at all, my advice is to bundle up because it gets very cold with the open top. I listened in as a driver was talking to his guests at one of the many road turnouts in the park. W/Time Stamps 4 hikes. I said dormitory. Hiking The Highline Trail. A fun way to reveal the deeper significance and meanings of the park is to spend time on an interpretive tour. The scenery is incredible, the fresh air is clear and pristine, and the smells of Spruce and Fir trees smell like Christmas. From laid-back weekend jaunts, romantic getaways and family vacations, to complete cultural experiences, there are seemingly endless options for adventure in Western Montana. These tours will operate as the Three Valley Tour at the scheduled times from Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. When the area of northwest Montana was first surveyed by scientists in the mid-1800s, they counted more than 150 glaciers in the region. All tours are round-trip and last from 2.5 9 hours, traversing the Going-to-the-Sun-Road. Hi, I am thinking of doing the Mountain Majesty Tour from the West Side with my family of 4. Get inspired to plan your next vacation to the Volunteer State. Soon the fleet of buses will undergo further updating to a hybrid system for environmental effectiveness. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1936 White Model 706 Tour Bus Open Top Co. Glacier Park Red Jammer 1:48 Diecast at the best online prices at eBay! Karl explained that the drivers became known as Jammers because of the familiar sound of the gears as the drivers of the early manual transmissions double-clutched up and down the steep mountainous road. The food comes from a dining hall, and you live in a small dormitory room. In Yellowstone National Park tours use the same model buses, painted bright yellow. One of the reasons the park is seeing a huge increase in visitor numbers is that the namesake features are slowly disappearing. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This was a late addition to our itinerary in Glacier. Xanterra offers tours on Glacier's fleet of historic red buses. On the way back to the west side, the tour will stop at the famous Goat Lick with a good chance to see some of Glaciers iconic Mountain Goats at the natural salt lick in the mountains. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Took this tour from the west side of the park. All of the 33 buses in the fleet are vintage from the 1930s, which is really cool even if you're not a car geek. Tours depart from Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, St. Mary Lodge and Rising Sun Motor Inn on the east side. There were places where he slowed the bus when he could, and where he let us out but stayed with the bus for a quick photo stop when he couldnt park it. On the west I am staying outside the park in coram. St. Louis summertime: 95 degrees with 95 percent humidity. The red bus has a charming appearance but looks dont always matter! The Lake McDonald scheduled pickup will be at 10:00am. Directions, Its #NationalParkWeek and we want to hear your park story about our fave place, @GlacierNPS. Jammer Karl passed this one on to us as we approached a particularly steep incline. These chauffeured buses date back to the 1930s, and feature canvas rollback tops that offer unencumbered views of the surrounding landscape. Spend A Night In The Many Glacier Hotel. Browse all 11,354 Glacier National Park topics , Chief Mountain Border Crossing to reopen May 15, Lake McDonald Lodge - Deluxe Lodge vs. Large Cabin.