Overview You’ll discover Glacier National Park is a paddleboarding paradise. The rivers run high in the spring and summer as the snows melt, providing some excellent paddling. As you travel across the shimmering lakes, the sun warms you as you enjoy the spectacular views all around. Where to go paddleboarding Lake McDonald Easy to reach from the Going to the Sun Road, Lake McDonald is at an altitude of 3,153 feet. This is the largest lake in Glacier and offers wonderful canoeing and kayaking, with a number of places to put into the water, including a public boat launch at Apgar. Bring your camera to capture your adventure, particularly how the surrounding mountains reflect dreamily in the lake. Swiftcurrent Lake By paddling around the turquoise waters of Swiftcurrent Lake, you can reach a number of backcountry trailheads so you can climb to see Grinnell Glacier. This is just one of the benefits to kayaking on this lovely lake. Launch near the hotel on the shore. St. Mary Lake On the east side of the park, you’ll discover the beauty of St. Mary Lake, the second largest lake in Glacier. Waters here are cold, but you won’t have to worry about that from your canoe or kayak. At the west end of the lake, you’ll see Little Chief Mountain towering above. Two Medicine Lake Also on the east side of Glacier, Two Medicine Lake offers some breathtaking views of Rising Wolf Mountain, and of course, the crystal clear waters of the lake itself. Getting to the lake is half the fun, with plenty of wonderful vistas and the wildlife grazing at the edge of the road. Bowman Lake Bowman Lake is a remote lake that provides you with some privacy on your paddling adventure. The road leading to the lake alternates between paved and unpaved (but decent) road. This glacial lake is surrounded by pines and mountain views. Kintla Lake Since no motorized craft are allowed on this lake, you will find it a kayak and canoe paradise, and truly secluded close to the Canadian border. It’s the fourth largest lake in the park boasting a campground that rarely fills. Day hikes are abundant, too, when you want to stretch your legs. Flathead River This river is a popular river for kayaking, with Class II to Class IV rapids on some sections outside the park. Additional Information The only section where canoes and kayaks are not permitted is the section of Upper McDonald Creek between Mineral Creek and Lake McDonald, from 1 April through 30 September. This is nesting time at that location for Harlequin ducks. When the winds start to blow, it’s best you always remain a comfortable distance from shore, or better yet, put in for the day. The wind here can kick up waves up to six feet tall. At any time of year, you must stay aware of the danger of hypothermia, as the lakes and rivers in Glacier National Park are extremely cold.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:11:25 +0000
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