Wilderness and Safety

A trip to the chalets is an exciting adventure! While we work hard to keep the chalets comfortable and hospitable for you, it is important to remember that you are visiting a wilderness area that contains many challenges and hazards. We do not want to discourage you from a trip into the backcountry; we do want you to be knowledgeable about what you are getting into so that you can visit us safely.

Enter the wilderness at your own risk. Anyone traveling into the backcountry of Glacier National Park, whether you are day hiking, backcountry camping, or visiting the chalets, is expected to take responsibility for their own safety. You should think about and be prepared for wilderness hazards ahead of time. Some of the hazards of wilderness include, but are not limited to:

No one at the chalets or in the Park can guarantee your safety while you are traveling in the backcountry. It is up to you to be prepared and hike smart. For beginners there can be a lot to learn about wilderness safety, more than one web page can teach you. Use the tips listed below or call and ask us questions if you have safety concerns about your trip to the chalets.

Your chalet reservation makes no guarantees about the weather, the wildlife, or any other wilderness hazards you may encounter. We cannot refund any reservation if bad weather, trail conditions or other wilderness hazards prevent you from reaching the chalets. If you are concerned about losing your reservation due to poor weather or other wilderness hazards, you should consider purchasing travel insurance from your insurance or travel agent.

When all the dangerous cliffs are fenced off, all the trees that might fall on people are cut down, all of the insects that bite have been poisoned, and all of the grizzlies are dead because they are occasionally dangerous, the wilderness will not be made safe. Rather, the safety will have destroyed the wilderness.
R. Yorke Edwards (Canadian Environmentalist)

New to hiking

For those of you who are new to wilderness hiking, here are some of the basics of safety and etiquette. These tips cover what most people need for a fun, safe trip into the chalets.