Glacier National Park should top all nature lovers list of must see national parks. Located in West Glacier, Montana, this park is a paradise for hikers and drivers alike. With over 700 miles of trails, hikers won’t soon run out of backcountry to explore. Visitors that are more car-bound can enjoy the scenic drive up Going to the Sun Road. The drive may be slow, especially with construction ongoing, but you wouldn’t want to drive by too quickly and miss admiring the scenery anyway. Allow plenty of time for the 18 mile drive up to Login Pass and back down to the opposite end of GNP. Just don’t plan a winter drive, as the road closes around mid October each year. A shuttle service is offered by the park, free of charge, for those who would rather not hassle with driving at all.

Enjoy the glacial blue waters of lakes and the towering mountains that surround you. Campsites and hotels abound in the area. Be sure to claim campsites early during popular seasons and book hotels in advance. Otherwise, you could find yourself lodging 30 miles or more outside of the park.

Take a hike to Avalanche Lake, starting with the Trail of the Cedars.

View the scene at Logan Pass summit.

Camp out at Many Glacier.

Check out views from Going to the Sun Road.

Located on the east side of Glacier National Park, the road to Many Glacier is 12 miles long from the park entrance. If you enter the park from the west, travel along the Going to the Sun Road, exiting the park at Saint Mary. Continue on the same road (toward Babb) until you reach signs to turn left toward the Many Glacier park area. Once you enter the park at Many Glacier, you’ll follow along Lake Sherburne, which touts extraordinary glacial blue waters in the sunshine, toward the camping area and ranger station.

Hotel goers can choose to stay at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn or the much fancier, Many Glacier Hotel.

Campers will find comfort at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, including an italian restaurant and a shoppette carrying firewood, hotel chocolate and coffee, drinks, and souvenirs.

Campsites here total 109 and have amble restroom facilities nearby.

For wildlife viewing, bring binoculars and head to the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn’s parking lot to search the mountains for goats, sheep, and the occasional bear. And be sure not to miss the show of colors at sunrise.

Well, rest assured, there are free ways to have summer fun, whether you are looking to planning a weekend or longer. I’ll be keeping my radar out for free or cheap ways to spend your summertime vacas. Here’s the first of many posts to come on Free Summer Fun!

The National Park Service has announced three weekends with fee free park admissions. The weekend dates are:

Father’s Day: June 20-21

July 18-19

August 15-16

Find out more here. And remember that many National Parks are free every weekend! So, give your wallet a break and get out and enjoy the outdoors!

This 150-mile river flows through Arkansas’ Ozark mountains freely … without even one dam. It provides beauty and bountiful recreational opportunities for those that visit it. Plan a camping, rafting, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing or hiking trip in the area and enjoy this beautiful untamed river.

Me and Monte at the Buffalo National River

Check out more on the Buffalo National River on the NPS website. Be sure to plan a visit to the Buffalo National River next time you find yourself in Arkansas.