Glacier National Park 100th Year Anniversary

Glacier National Park, located in northwest Montana, will soon celebrate its 100th year anniversary in 2010. The centennial celebration is currently keeping prospective visitors and park visitors of the past updated with a website, blog, and events calendar dedicated solely to the upcoming centennial. According to the Glacier National Park Centennial website, the celebration calls for a time of "celebration, inspiration, and engagement" all while becoming informed on the rich history the Montana national park has to offer.

While the park may be celebrating its 100th official year, archaeologists have evidence of use of the national park as much as 10,000 years ago. Several Native American tribes, including the Salish, Kootenai, and Blackfeet, inhabited the area when the first European settlers first explored this area. During the 1800s, settlers found value in the land because it could be mined for minerals. However, people also began to take note of the stunning scenery and value it had as a natural place of beauty as well. George Bird Grinnell, one of the early explorers of the area, worked to establish the creation of a national park. On May 11, 1910, President William Taft established Glacier National Park, making it the 10th national park in the country.

Several park visitors began coming to Glacier National Park, creating the need for trails, roadways, hotels, and lodges. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most popular scenic roadways, was established as a result of the demand for means to travel throughout the park. This road is now considered a National Historic Landmark as well as a National Engineering Landmark. Those looking to share individual stories about Glacier National Park can do so by sending their story to the Glacier National Park staff on the centennial website. A collective timeline is being constructed for all to view online.

The team who will bring Glacier National Park's centennial celebration to life encourages visitor involvement. Becoming an advocate and telling friends and family about the celebration is one simple participation suggestion. Interested parties can also sign up to host an event or program and apply to use the Glacier National Park centennial logo in other publications or websites. Donations to the national park are always appreciated as well.

Glacier National Park offers an array of adventures for the outdoor enthusiast. Park visitors have many activities to choose from. Those who venture to Glacier National Park can choose adventures including backpacking and hiking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, golfing, or relaxing and staying at a resort or lodge. Visitors may also wish to enjoy a boat tour, bus tour, or ranger-led walk. While Glacier National Park is open every day of the year, winter weather does tend to affect whether a visitor facility stays open. In general, most facilities are open from May until early September. Glacier National Park covers about 1.4 million acres of wildlife preserves. The Glacier National Park Centennial is simply one reason to celebrate the park's rich history, beautiful scenery and exquisite sights.