After staying at Apgar, we started out our first day in the park by stopping here. There are all kinds of information and orientation. We met Ranger Doug, one of the rangers with tons of personality who really gave us a great beginning impression of Glacier. The parking lot was quite crowded (even though rangers said it had quieted down at the end of August!). This stop really helped get us acclimated and gave a great overall picture of what we wanted to do in the days we were at Glacier.
The new location of the Apgar Visitor Center is located at the t-intersection approximately one mile north of the West Entrance Station on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.The original visitor center at Apgar Village is closed but the restrooms are still open.The new visitor center fits well within its surroundings. It is unfortunate that the space housing the ranger, visitor information services, and retail sales has an awful echo when full of people and gets real loud with more than just a few people inside. It is a bit of a distraction/annoyance. Fortunately, most of the interpretive displays are outside.The new Apgar Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit of Glacier National Park from the west side
We started our trip to Glacier NP with a visit to the Visitor Center, The staff is extremely helpful and patiently answers hundreds of questions from tourists. We ended our day trip back at Apgar Village by sipping fresh huckleberry iced tea while sitting on a bench by beautiful Lake McDonald.
All the Rangers were super helpful and full of information on how to best spend your time in the park. They will supply you with maps, current weather conditions to go hiking or just driving around. They have lots of usefull items and souvenirs you can purchase. The best part was the boat launch inside the town. The view is spectacular looking straight out from the dock, I promise you'll get some great photos.
We stopped in this little village before heading to some trails. There are a few restaurants and shops. We had lunch, rented some bear spray and picked up some soueveneirs. The village borders Lake MacDonald and has stunning views.
I was in this visitor center both in August and October and neither time were the park rangers very friendly or very helpful. The rangers at St.Marys entrance were much nicer and much more helpful in finding hikes that we could do that day. And it has the same info.
Cute little town. Picnic area and great shops. They were very helpful. I imagine during hi-season parking can be an issue. Small store have firewood and kindling for sale. Only place that sold kindling during my entire 23 day trip.
The ranger had telescopes set up for star gazing. He was very helpful in locating stars. It was nice to see the night sky and all it had to offer.
Even if this not your first visit to Glacier you should stop in here before you head out. Lots of friendly information available free of charge, a great topographical map to get the big picture of the park, and don't forget to get your National Park Passport Stamp while you're there!
We happened on Apgar as we were heading back from Glacier Park to Missoula. It is off the highway and truly beautiful, right on the shore of the lake. The town has shops, restaurants and other attractions. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.