The Chalets of Glacier National Park

Imagine being able to hike deep into the beautiful backcountry of Glacier National Park carrying only a day pack. A warm meal, a clean bed and the company of fellow hikers await you at trail's end. Even very young children were able to enjoy a true backcountry experience when the chalets were in working order.

Lewis Hill, son of the Great Northern Railroad developer, James J. Hill, built Granite Park and Sperry Chalets (and six others) between 1910 and 1914. They were specifically designed to become part of the entire Glacier National Park "experience". Today, of the chalets reachable solely by trail, only Granite Park and Sperry remain.

Granite Park And Sperry Chalets Are At Risk!

After providing an unparalleled experience to Glacier National Park's backcountry visitors for over 70 years, Granite Park and Sperry Chalets were closed by the National Park Service in 1993. Substandard sewage and water systems and inadequate life-safety provisions were the chief culprits behind the closure.

Through an environmental assessment, the National Park Service has selected an alternative for restoring the chalets that is projected to cost approximately $4.2 million and will take several years to complete, once funding is in place. The National Park Service has strongly advocated a public-private partnership wherein the public would fund $1.2 million of the work.

That plan calls for traditional services (overnight lodging with meals provided), composting toilets, complete water system renovations and numerous life/health/safety improvements (see details below).

In April of 1994, Save The Chalets responded to National Park Service Director Roger Kennedy's call for a unique, public-private partnership by agreeing to undertake a fund raising campaign for the two chalets. That campaign calls for raising $1.2 million from private, corporate and foundation donations. Glacier National Park recognized "Save the Chalets" as a new Park Partner on May 26, 1994.

These Chalets are National Historic Landmarks Located in Glacier National Park, Montana

What Your Contribution Will Fund

• Traditional Services - The goal is for the chalets to be reopened to the public for overnight guest services including beds, linens and hot meals.
• Sewage and Wastewater - The old sewage system was at the core of the National Park Service decision to close the chalets and will be replaced and upgraded with ecologically sound alternatives. Composting toilets will be installed and the compost thus created removed and put to appropriate use at the end of each operating season.
• Water System - Installation of an efficient and modern water system that meets current standards for drinking water and conservation.
• Life/Health/Safety - Installation of smoke detectors, alarms, emergency exit lighting, fire suppression equipment and improved fire exits.
• General Structural Upgrades - Both chalets are also scheduled to receive much needed window and door repairs, as well as repairs to masonry, roofing and general aesthetic rehabilitation.

When Will It Happen?

Current Proposed Agenda for Restoration

• 1994 - Stabilization and structural upgrades at Granite
• 1995 -
  • Sewage,Water and Life/Health/Safety improvements at Granite
  • Stabilization and structural upgrades at Sperry
• 1996 -
  • Potential Reopening of Granite Park Chalet
  • Sewage, Water and Life/Health/Safety improvements at Sperry
• 1997 - Potential Reopening of Sperry Chalet

Without private support these goals may not be met. YOU can make a difference!

Please make your tax deductible contribution today.

Save The Chalets can be reached via snail mail at 704 Birch Street Helena, Montana 59601 (406) 449-2103 or click on our logo below to send immediate email.

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All images, layout and artwork except Save The Chalets logo © K.E.Goldman 1995, 1996, 1997. Save The Chalets logo © Save The Chalets. Reproduction of any of the above without written permission is strictly prohibited.