Glacier National Park welcomes the 100 millionth visitor

“I thought I was in trouble,” Becky Janssen said about Mow approaching her vehicle. She was “thrilled” to celebrate the occasion.

The family lives in Bakersfield, Calif., and is here for summer vacation. They visited the park for spring break this year and fall in love. It was the first time they had seen snow falling. Three weeks later, Janssen returned to find a rental house in Whitefish. They are excited to be outside and away from the heat.

They received a gift bag filled with items donated by the park concessioners, which included a Federal Lands Park Pass, educational pamphlets, t-shirts, games, stuffed animals and gift certificates. The park concessioners are Belton Chalets, Inc., Glacier Boat Company, Glacier Guides Inc., Glacier National Park Lodges and Swan Mountain Outfitters. Janssen was happy to have the pass as she was going to buy it anyway. They also got a Red Bus tour up to Logan Pass and a picnic lunch. Rich French, Red Bus driver since 1989, had the honor of shuttling them around on the vintage 1930s bus.

French has been visiting the park since he was five years old. The park is “a little busier” than when he was young. September 26, 1969, it celebrated its 1 millionth visitor of the year, 59 years after the park opened. The total number of visitors in a year has stayed above 1 million since then, reaching over 2 million in 1983, according to the park travel record.

“Janssen is the representation of the 100 millionth visitor,” Mow said. Park staff cannot precisely say what the exact count was because there are multiple entrances to the Park. “We were looking for something representative of the future generation,” Mow said. “These kids represent the future, and upcoming stewards of Glacier National Park and other national parks, and all public lands.” He said that what matters most is what the park is doing for the next generation.

It’s “mind-boggling” that the Park has reached this many visitors so quickly, Mow said. It is because of the partners, volunteers, and community that make is a global destination, he noted. The three formal partners are Glacier National Park Conservancy, Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates, and Glacier Institute. Representatives from these organizations joined the family on their Red Bus Tour, along with two park interpretative staff.

It is coincidental, or perhaps luck that Gretchen wore a t-shirt with the lettering “#WINNER”.

Janssens have visited Montana before, Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park, but never Yosemite National Park, in their own backyard.

Janssen said they are thinking about moving up here and that is part of the reason for the summer vacation. The family said that the community is nicer and the people really care about the Park.

“You can just tell that people are kind and welcoming,” said Janssen.

They hope to see wildlife “like a moose,” said Pierce. Better than that, “a big bear,” said Gretchen.

Not knowing what the day would hold, Becky Janssen with son Pierce, 14, and daughter Gretchen, 10, decided to drive around Glacier National Park on Thursday for the first day Logan Pass was open. Park superintendent Jeff Mow welcomed the family as the 100 millionth visitor.

“I thought I was in trouble,” Becky Janssen said about Mow approaching her vehicle. She was “thrilled” to celebrate the occasion.

The family lives in Bakersfield, Calif., and is here for summer vacation. They visited the park for spring break this year and fall in love. It was the first time they had seen snow falling. Three weeks later, Janssen returned to find a rental house in Whitefish. They are excited to be outside and away from the heat.

They received a gift bag filled with items donated by the park concessioners, which included a Federal Lands Park Pass, educational pamphlets, t-shirts, games, stuffed animals and gift certificates. The park concessioners are Belton Chalets, Inc., Glacier Boat Company, Glacier Guides Inc., Glacier National Park Lodges and Swan Mountain Outfitters. Janssen was happy to have the pass as she was going to buy it anyway. They also got a Red Bus tour up to Logan Pass and a picnic lunch. Rich French, Red Bus driver since 1989, had the honor of shuttling them around on the vintage 1930s bus.

French has been visiting the park since he was five years old. The park is “a little busier” than when he was young. September 26, 1969, it celebrated its 1 millionth visitor of the year, 59 years after the park opened. The total number of visitors in a year has stayed above 1 million since then, reaching over 2 million in 1983, according to the park travel record.

“Janssen is the representation of the 100 millionth visitor,” Mow said. Park staff cannot precisely say what the exact count was because there are multiple entrances to the Park. “We were looking for something representative of the future generation,” Mow said. “These kids represent the future, and upcoming stewards of Glacier National Park and other national parks, and all public lands.” He said that what matters most is what the park is doing for the next generation.

It’s “mind-boggling” that the Park has reached this many visitors so quickly, Mow said. It is because of the partners, volunteers, and community that make is a global destination, he noted. The three formal partners are Glacier National Park Conservancy, Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates, and Glacier Institute. Representatives from these organizations joined the family on their Red Bus Tour, along with two park interpretative staff.

It is coincidental, or perhaps luck that Gretchen wore a t-shirt with the lettering “#WINNER”.

Janssens have visited Montana before, Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park, but never Yosemite National Park, in their own backyard.

Janssen said they are thinking about moving up here and that is part of the reason for the summer vacation. The family said that the community is nicer and the people really care about the Park.

“You can just tell that people are kind and welcoming,” said Janssen.

They hope to see wildlife “like a moose,” said Pierce. Better than that, “a big bear,” said Gretchen.