Glacier - Waterton National Park

Flathead National Forest and Lewis & Clark National Forest both share boundaries with Glacier National Park.Glacier/ Waterton is not exactly a stone's throw from some vibrant urban center. In fact, it's out in the middle of nowhere -- so much the better. Browning, Montana is the closest nearby sizeable town on the U.S. side. In Canada, it's Cardston, Alberta.

Glacier National Park lies just west of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The Museum of the Plains Indian, in Browning, features fascinating exhibits and Native American handicrafts as sales items. The museum is open daily 9 am to 5 pm from June through September.

The People's Center and Native Ed-Venture , for the preservation of Kootenai and Salish culture, are located south of Glacier National Park near Pablo, Montana. The Center provides educational opportunities, interpretive tours, a museum collection, and a gift shop. Call 1-406-883-5344 for more information.

In Canada, Akamina-Kishinena Recreation Area, a British Columbia Provincial Park, lies along Glacier's northern edge and Waterton's western. This is a rugged, wilderness area with lots of off-the-beaten track hiking possibilities.

Just north of Waterton, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump is a UNESCO World Heritage Site providing fascinating historical and cultural insight into the culture of the area's indigenous people. Head-Smashed-In is a a focal point for Blackfeet culture.