BACKGROUNDER

Contact:
Gina Kerzman
Office of Public Affairs
(406) 888-5838

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana. The region that became the park was
first inhabited by Native Americans. When early European explorers came to this area, the
Blackfeet Indians controlled the prairies east of the mountains. The Salish and Kootenai Indians
lived in the western valleys. European explorers were followed by miners and then settlers
looking for land. The completion of the Great Northern Railway in 1891 allowed a greater
number of people to travel to the area. Soon after, small towns began to develop.

By the late 1800s, the area was no longer seen as a place just to farm, mine for minerals or
purchase land. People started to see it for its beautiful and unique scenic views. The area became
a forest preserve in 1900 but mining and homesteading were still allowed. In order to give the
area further protections, George Bird Grinnell, an explorer, along with other influential
individuals pushed for the creation of a national park. In 1910, President Taft signed the bill
establishing Glacier National Park as the country’s 10th national park.

Glacier National Park quickly became popular among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Many
people visited for its rugged peaks, valleys made from receding glaciers and its clear water lakes,
while others visited for its vast species of plants and mammals. The Great Northern Railway
built hotels and chalets to house the visitors. In 1932, after 11 years of work, Going-to-the-Sun
Road was completed. Spanning 50 miles across the mountains, the road is considered an
engineering feat and is a National Historic Landmark.

Within Glacier National Park there are 375 historic properties. Lake McDonald Lodge, Many
Glacier Hotel, Granite Park Chalet, Sperry Chalet and the Two Medicine Store are also National
Historic Landmarks.

Not only does Glacier have historic landmarks, it has also been designated an International Dark
Sky Park. International Dark Sky Association recognition requires commitment to preserving
dark skies and requires the park to meet specific objectives of restoration and preservation of
night skies, protection of nocturnal habitats and environmental leadership by communicating the
importance of dark skies to the general public.

In 1911, a year after Glacier was first established as a national park, it had approximately 4,000
visitors. In the past decade, the park averaged 1.8 million visitors per year, reaching a peak of 3.3
million visitors in 2017.
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