Apgar Visitor Center
Apgar Visitor Center
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4.0
183 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
66
Average
25
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Jane Johns
7 contributions
Aug 2022
Don, our tour guide refused to put the top up on the bus. Everyone was freezing and we were rained on twice. I had to buy a $50 blanket that was similar to my $12 travel blanket and a $46 sweatshirt at the top of the mountain, so we didn’t freeze to death on the way down. EVERY. Other car, exceptONE, had the top up.
People were huddled together trying to stay warm. The little kids were on the floor trying to stay out of the wind, cold, and rain.
Don sat in the front seat, in short sleeves, with the heat running. He did a nice job on giving us information, but we were all so cold and the wind was blowing so hard, it was miserable instead of enjoyable.
Took tour during the last week of august, we were dressed in long pants, shirts, and fleece jackets.
The scenery was magnificent, the comfort deplorable.
People were huddled together trying to stay warm. The little kids were on the floor trying to stay out of the wind, cold, and rain.
Don sat in the front seat, in short sleeves, with the heat running. He did a nice job on giving us information, but we were all so cold and the wind was blowing so hard, it was miserable instead of enjoyable.
Took tour during the last week of august, we were dressed in long pants, shirts, and fleece jackets.
The scenery was magnificent, the comfort deplorable.
Written 3 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TriciaGrace
Holmdel, NJ128 contributions
Sept 2022
This was one of the worst rooms we've stayed in: very dark, dried-blood colored wood walls, hard pillows, small bathroom with linoleum flooring. When you turn the bathroom light on, the extremely loud, irritating fan comes on. The Inn is right at the head of Lake MacDonald. A continuous balcony runs across the second floor so if you sit outside, the view is lovely. But you can't really enjoy the view from the window as you have no privacy with people walking by. There are few options for lodging but don't stay here if you can avoid it.
Written 23 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AptosAmy
Aptos, CA603 contributions
Jul 2022
Very crowded. The one thing one really needs is Wifi access. You have to get a registration code and have use for 30 min. The supposed Wifi is slow to nonexistent. Lines to talk to an information person if you want trail updates or advice.
Written 21 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mtzennmaster
Kapolei, HI1,528 contributions
Jun 2022
We made a stop at the Apgar Visitor Center before heading up "Going-to-the-Sun Road. We got all the necessary info about road closures, bear sightings, reminders of good hiking and camping practices, and advice on a variety of hikes to take depending on our ability and the time we had available. We were also happy to have Wifi, a water filling station, a "device charging station" and ample restrooms. The "store" is limited, but a short walk is all you need to take to get you to Apgar Village with plenty of tourist stuff.
Written 4 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tara
Troy, OH13 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Glacier Park rating 5 stars!
Ticket system to park in Apgar parking lot 0 stars.
We wanted to park our rv in this lot and ride the shuttle. We weren't able to get back to the center due to the ticket system. You can park and walk 3 miles to the visitor center. Not ideal with kids.
Highly recommend starting at St. Mary visitor center and taking the going to the sun road backwards. At St. Mary there's tons of parking and you can get on the shuttle.
National parks have been accomidating to traveling in rvs but this one entrance was frustrating!
We were able to come back after 4 when the rangers are off duty. You can do that or go before 6 am when they start working.
Ticket system to park in Apgar parking lot 0 stars.
We wanted to park our rv in this lot and ride the shuttle. We weren't able to get back to the center due to the ticket system. You can park and walk 3 miles to the visitor center. Not ideal with kids.
Highly recommend starting at St. Mary visitor center and taking the going to the sun road backwards. At St. Mary there's tons of parking and you can get on the shuttle.
National parks have been accomidating to traveling in rvs but this one entrance was frustrating!
We were able to come back after 4 when the rangers are off duty. You can do that or go before 6 am when they start working.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Places Where We Go Podcast
Simi Valley, CA974 contributions
Jun 2021
Very modest visitor center compared to most others which we have visited in the National Park system. We stopped here to get the requisite stamp for our National Parks passport book. There is a small selection of merchandise for purchase. The other main reason we stopped here was to get current information on hiking conditions. Appreciated the information from the ranger which set us on our way to hike at Avalanche Lake.
Written 1 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike F
Antigo, WI554 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Very nice VC! We came in a few times during our couple days to get jr ranger books, info and shop.
Rangers here were very helpful, and also great with my boys when they finished their books. I’d definitely recommend a stop on your first trip into the park.
Rangers here were very helpful, and also great with my boys when they finished their books. I’d definitely recommend a stop on your first trip into the park.
Written 18 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryEllenM27
Kalispell, MT18,148 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The Apgar Visitor's Center is great for information. The now famous Hike 724 waterproof Trail Maps and the Driving Guide Map for the Going to the Sun Road with all the stops on both sides of the road can be purchased there if you don't have them already.
You can learn all about park history, current Ranger Programs and and get a copy of the *new expanded list of Ranger-led-hikes so you don't have to carry bear spray. The list now has hikes of all difficulties from super easy to very strenuous...as well as short and longer day-hikes in all areas of the park. That includes The West Side, several along the Going to the Sun Road, some in Many Glacier and in Two Medicine. The complete list of those hikes is actually not on the GNP website as I write this. But, it is also found in the Monthly News paper handout you get when you enter the park along with your basic park map.
At the Visitor's Center you will find travel alerts, trail status information and trail closures due to bears frequenting them. That information will sometimes save you frustration or a lot of driving if the trail you were hoping to hike is closed. You will also get the most reliable information on road conditions and the on-going west side turnout and parking expansion construction projects. Because of that on going work, there is less parking than normal along the Lake McDonald corridor, so utilizing the free shuttles may ease some of the additional parking frustrations for day hikers. There will also be forest fire, smoke pollution/health hazard alerts and daily weather forecasts as needed.
**Its interesting to note that this year, the park has added a few larger, free shuttle vans so that they carry more visitors at once. It may ease the wait in line during the busiest times this Summer and early Fall. The Apgar Visitor center is the first stop on the West Side. So if you plan to use the shuttles all day, park there or another main hub at St Mary and save parking for others at the smaller hiking stops.
You can learn all about park history, current Ranger Programs and and get a copy of the *new expanded list of Ranger-led-hikes so you don't have to carry bear spray. The list now has hikes of all difficulties from super easy to very strenuous...as well as short and longer day-hikes in all areas of the park. That includes The West Side, several along the Going to the Sun Road, some in Many Glacier and in Two Medicine. The complete list of those hikes is actually not on the GNP website as I write this. But, it is also found in the Monthly News paper handout you get when you enter the park along with your basic park map.
At the Visitor's Center you will find travel alerts, trail status information and trail closures due to bears frequenting them. That information will sometimes save you frustration or a lot of driving if the trail you were hoping to hike is closed. You will also get the most reliable information on road conditions and the on-going west side turnout and parking expansion construction projects. Because of that on going work, there is less parking than normal along the Lake McDonald corridor, so utilizing the free shuttles may ease some of the additional parking frustrations for day hikers. There will also be forest fire, smoke pollution/health hazard alerts and daily weather forecasts as needed.
**Its interesting to note that this year, the park has added a few larger, free shuttle vans so that they carry more visitors at once. It may ease the wait in line during the busiest times this Summer and early Fall. The Apgar Visitor center is the first stop on the West Side. So if you plan to use the shuttles all day, park there or another main hub at St Mary and save parking for others at the smaller hiking stops.
Written 4 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MickyO
Richmond, VA1,011 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Before you venture into the park, be sure to go to the Visitors Center to get maps, information and, very important, a bathroom break. There are no places to eat in the park, so go nearby to get all of your provisions. Rangers at the center can help with suggestions and hiking safety advice and news.
Written 16 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha B
133 contributions
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.
Written 2 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have booked a Red Bus Tour that departs at 2 PM. Will there be parking spaces in the visitor center at that time of day? What about 10 AM?
Written 13 August 2019
I have booked a red bus tour starting at the center. Is there ample parking here to catch the tour?
Written 31 July 2019
We will be in Glacier, staying at Hungry Horse on 12th - 13th August. I'm trying to see if we can book any Ranger-led hikes / walks or find walking maps to enable us to do Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake trail. Are these easily signposted? Help!
Written 29 July 2018
What would be a transportation option from the entrance of the park to the Apgar Center?
Written 29 June 2018
The Apgar visitor center is the first place you get to when you drive into the park.
Written 23 July 2019
I will be taking an Uber or Taxi from Kalispell to Glacier National Park. If I am dropped outside the entrance, how far a walk is it to Apgar Visitor Center?
Written 14 August 2017
Check to see if there is a free shuttle. Too far to walk.
Written 16 August 2017
Is it hard to get a spot for a RV in July. We were told it is first come first serve.
Written 14 May 2016
We are coming up July 6th and were told we cannot reserve a spot for our 35ft rv. They are first come first serve. What is the likelihood we will get a spot?
Written 14 May 2016
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