Read some Tripadvisor reviews and woundup traveling to The Polebridge Mercantile after not wanting to sit in traffic to get into the west entrance of GNP. Enroute over some pretty bumpy dusty roads, I wondered if it was going to be worth the trip. Wow, I was not disappointed, this place is really cool. After wandering around and checking everything out we bought two huckleberry bearclaws and two sticky buns (along with some other little trinkets). We sat on the front porch of the mercantile and ate the huckleberry bearclaws and were blown away, they were most tasty! We saved the sticky buns and ate them later at the hotel and they were awesome. If your interested in seeing some lessor travelled beautiful parts of GNP, meeting some really nice people, and eating some of the best pastries you'll ever taste, make this trip.
A step back in time. A must stop while visiting Glacier National Park. Make sure you take the Camus Road to the ouutside North Fork Road. Don't let the dirt road prevent you from going. The road is kept in good shape with limited dust. The Merc is world famous for its wonderful wide selection of delicious bakery selections. You wil not be disappointed. Makes for a great stop on traveling to Kintla or Bowman Lake. While at the Merc pick up a copy of Volume 3 "Connecting Us To The Sun" which shares the early history of Poiebridge area and the west side of Glacier Park communities.
Funky little general store is a great stop as you wend your way into the Northeast corner of GNP. The pastries are awesome-if you leave early to spend the day at Bowman or Kintla Lake, get one to eat for breakfast and a second one for a treat later in the day. Prices were pretty darn reasonable for those pastries as well.
We were camping and rafting/fishing on the north fork of the flathead and were introduced to the merc and bear-claws by some friends who are regular visitors, Wow! The merc is a one-off and is a mixture of a flavour of what used to be together with great baking and its own quirkiness which makes the outhouses and mosquitos more than bearable. Breakfast time is an institution and sitting in the sun drinking great coffee and unbelievably great huckleberry bear-claws was one of the highlights of a superb 3 week trip!
We made several return visits for their bakery items, especially the huckleberry bear-claws. And we bought gift items as well. Definitely worth visiting. It's in the North Fork Valley, on the way to Bowman Lake and northwest section of Glacier. Check out their website at www.polebridgemerc.com.
It's out of the way, but the bakery is well worth the drive. Try anything huckleberry but especially the turnovers. Also, you must get the jalepeno cheese bread.
We stayed in polebridge for a week and ate breakfast at the merc everyday. Not only are the huckleberry bear claws and cinnamon rolls fantastic, the breakfast sandwiches are really, really good...especially the sausage one!
Expensive but the only game town. If you need a restroom best keep going to the ranger station, they only have an out house.
Incredible little village where except for telephones, this community is "off the grid!" The bakery is outstanding!!!! Their signature treat is the huckleberry bear claw. We tell all of our guests how to get there....follow the paved and then gravel road along the western edge of Glacier NP. The road is maintained by the county and forest service year round...it's a beautiful drive and a delicious reward at the end.
We stayed in Polebridge for a few days and made several stops here. It seems like a hub for this area... You can purchase souvenirs, postcards, baked goods, and enjoy the porch. Quaint stop with charm and famous refreshments. Worth the stop if you are passing through!