EXPERIENCES
MONTANA'S GLACIER COUNTRY
Glacier Country in western Montana is undoubtedly one on the most beautiful places on Earth. The Glacier National Park is indeed the Crown of the Continent and it is surrounded by stunning forests teaming with wild life, fairly tale rivers and lakes and jaw dropping landscapes, all worth exploring away from the madding crowds. The sky is big, the forests and mountains are spectacular and the light is out of this world.
There are hundreds of miles of bike-ready paved and unpaved roads, as well as hundreds of lakes, rivers and streams ready for water fun. Our SKY ECO local staff can provide you with the gear and information you need for the ultimate self-guided experiences.
Below are just a few examples of possible SKY ECO enabled experiences that will make your Montana vacation unforgettable.
GOING TO THE SUN ROAD
ON E-BIKE
Going to the Sun Road is one of the most iconic scenic roads in the world. Every early summer, before it opens to car traffic, the road becomes a biker-hiker paradise. Usually, the bicycle season is during the months of May and June.
In 2023, Sky Eco has been approved by Glacier National Park to provide luxury small group shuttle service for our e-bikes and guests between our location and Lake McDonald Lodge or Avalanche Campground for the hiker-biker season in May and June, until the road opens for car traffic.
GTSR E-BIKE SHUTTLE PACKAGE
NO VEHICLE RESERVATION TICKET REQUIRED
- PLEASE RESERVE AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE -
- only in May and June 2023 -
- groups of 2, 3 or maximum 4 people -
- drop off and pick up at Avalanche parking lot or Lake McDonald Lodge -
- weather dependent - we reserve the right to cancel at any time due to weather -
- guests can cancel 24 hours in advance -
SAMPLE SCHEDULE & ACTIVITIES
8:00 a.m. (later departure possible)
- meet up at SKY ECO - GLACIER GENERAL STORE AND CABINS in CORAM -
- safety briefing and riding tips -
- last minute purchases from the General Store -
- e-bike loading -
8:30 a.m.
- shuttle departure for Avalanche or Lake McDonald Lodge (usually with a Tesla Model Y) -
- traffic and dependent - may take 30-40 minutes depending on lines at the entrance -
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (depending on traffic)
- arrival at Avalanche or Lake McDonald parking lots -
- unloading of passengers and e-bikes -
10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- guests ride Going to the Sun Road at their leisure -
4:00 p.m.
- shuttle returns at Avalanche or Lake McDonald Lodge parking lots to pick up guests and e-bikes -
5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- return at SKY ECO parking lot -
During the summer season (July to September) e-bikes are allowed on Going to the Sun Road only between 7-11 a.m. and after 4 p.m. The road is very narrow and busy in the summer and we DON'T RECOMMEND RIDING PAST AVALANCHE CAMPGROUND TO INEXPERIENCED CYCLISTS AFTER THE ROAD IS OPEN FOR CARS during the summer season.
Please inquire with Glacier National Park for road conditions.
NO BIKES ARE ALLOWED ON HIKING TRAILS!
AVALANCHE CAMPGROUND TO LOGAN PASS & BACK
- truck or car with hitch mounted fat tire bike rack -
- SKY ECO e-bike rental -
OR
- SKY ECO GTSR SHUTTLE PACKAGE -
(only available May - June)
- distance: 31.7 miles -
- duration with no stops: ~ 4 hours -
- lowest elevation: 3,412 ft (Avalanche Campground) -
- highest elevation: 6,647 ft (Logan Pass) -
LAKE McDONALD LODGE TO LOGAN PASS & BACK
- truck or car with hitch mounted fat tire bike rack -
- SKY ECO e-bike rental -
OR
- SKY ECO GTSR SHUTTLE PACKAGE -
(only available May - June)
- distance: 42.7 miles -
- duration with no stops: ~ 5 hours -
- lowest elevation: 3,189 ft (Lake McDonald Lodge) -
- highest elevation: 6,647 ft (Logan Pass) -
PADDLE GLACIER NATIONAL PARK LAKES
National Park Service requires all boats launched in the Glacier National Park waters be inspected for invasive species. There are inspection stations in Apgar (Lake McDonald), North Fork (Bowman and Kintla lakes), Many Glacier (Sherburne and Swiftcurrent lakes), St. Mary and Two Medicine lakes. Please don't launch any boat in Glacier National Park without checking for requirements for boating.
PADDLE LAKE McDONALD FROM APGAR
NEW! RENT AN SKY ECO E-BIKE & PADDLE PACKAGE
- use our e-bikes with a cargo trailer to take kayaks and paddleboards into the park -
OR
- rent single/double kayaks, floatzillas or paddle boards -
- Inspect deflated boats at West Glacier Inspection Station -
- park near Apgar Campground -
- inflate watercraft and launch -
- difficulty: EASY -
- distance to Apgar launch site : 8.2 miles -
- drive time from Sky Eco to launch site: ~ 14 minutes -
PADDLE LAKE McDONALD FROM FISH CREEK
-NEW! RENT AN SKY ECO E-BIKE & PADDLE PACKAGE
- use our e-bikes with a cargo trailer to take kayaks and paddleboards into the park -
OR
rent single/double kayaks, floatzillas or paddle boards -
- Inspect deflated boats at West Glacier Inspection Station -
- park near Fish Creek Campground -
- inflate watercraft and launch -
- difficulty: EASY -
- distance to Apgar launch site : 9.9 miles -
- drive time from Sky Eco to launch site: ~ 17 minutes -
EXPLORE WEST GLACIER ON E-BIKE
During the summer season Going to the Sun Road is marred by parking and traffic issues. Sometimes, there are long lines at the entrance in the park and finding a parking spot can take hours.
Here are some ideas to experience the Park and it's surroundings on e-bike, starting from the Sky Eco Rentals store.
SKY ECO TO FISH CREEK CAMPGROUND AND BACK
- start at SKY ECO - GLACIER GENERAL STORE & CABINS -
- purchase provisions at the General Store -
- rent e-bikes -
- receive e-bike orientation and get comfortable with e-bikes in our parking lot -
- get to the bike trail across the road -
- bike to the Fish Creek Campground, avoid entrance lines -
- difficulty: EASY -
- distance: 20 miles -
- duration with no stops: ~ 2 hours -
- lowest elevation: 3,173 ft (Sky Eco Rentals) -
- highest elevation: 3,396 ft (Fish Creek Campground) -
FLOAT THE FLATHEAD RIVER
The Flathead River system provides one of the most scenic and wild floats in the United States. The Middle and North Forks come together right above Blankenship Bridge, a 10 minute drive from Sky Eco.
Please read this information from USDA before you attempt any float on the scenic Flathead River forks: USDA Three Forks Info
Here are a couple of easier Class I and II float suggestions for everyone with minimal river floating experience. We don't recommend self-guided whitewater floats to inexperienced rafters.
MIDDLE FORK - WEST GLACIER TO BLANKENSHIP BRIDGE
- you will need 2 cars one parked at each site or a shuttle -
- start at SKY ECO - GLACIER GENERAL STORE & CABINS -
- purchase provisions at the General Store -
- rent rafts, kayaks (life jackets and helmets included) -
- receive watercraft orientation and instructions -
- inspect rented boats to the West Glacier inspection station -
- launch at West Glacier -
- difficulty: EASY -
- put-in: West Glacier Launch Site
- take-out: Blankenship Bridge
- distance: 20 miles -
- duration with no stops: ~ 3-4 hours -
- lowest elevation: 3,159 ft (Blankenship Bridge) -
- highest elevation: 3,159 ft (West Glacier) -
NORTH FORK - GLACIER RIM TO BLANKENSHIP
- you will need 2 cars one parked at each site or a shuttle -
- start at SKY ECO - GLACIER GENERAL STORE & CABINS -
- purchase provisions at the General Store -
- rent rafts, kayaks (life jackets and helmets included) -
- receive watercraft orientation and instructions -
- drive to Big Creek launch site -
- difficulty: EASY -
- put-in: Glacier Rim Launch Site
- take-out: Blankenship Bridge
- distance: 4.5 miles -
- duration with no stops: ~ 2 hours -
- lowest elevation: 3,159 ft (Blankenship Bridge) -
- highest elevation: 3,215 ft (Glacier Rim) -
For other North Fork float options and information, please check this USDA Brochure.