Glacier Park, the Roosevelts and John Muir: How They Inspired Passion for an American Crown Jewel

WE PAY TRIBUTE TO TEDDY, FDR, JOHN MUIR FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PRESERVING WILDERNESS

Glacier Park's Lake McDonald is for all of us, thanks to its designation through the national park system, and the encouragement of John Muir, FDR and much earlier, President Teddy Roosevelt. 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

and courtesy news archives

Editor's Note: This piece was updated and reviewed in July of 2026

FDR loved the parks as did his distant cousin and earlier president, Theodore Roosevelt. FDR, here was photographed touring Glacier National Park.

"There is nothing so American as our national parks.  The scenery and wildlife are native.  The fundamental idea behind the parks is ...that the parks belong to the people...."  FDR

Teddy Roosevelt said his love of nature and visits to Glacier were inspired by naturalist John Muir.

So much beauty awaits in the national parks in large and small doses.  Here, a close-up of algae makes a lovely mosaic on rock. Photo opportunities are a major draw for tourists from all over the world.

ONE FEELS a swell of pride when entering Glacier Park's wonders. For me, it's as close to "church" as I  get, for as I pass the ranger station, I enter hallowed ground.

We here in Montana are lucky to have three national parks within easy driving distance.  Whether exploring Yellowstone to our south, or Grand Teton a bit farther, or heading north, "going to the sun" on the breathtaking highway by the same name in Glacier, we remind ourselves of our good fortune and the foresight of the Roosevelts.

Glacier Park, the Roosevelts and John Muir

FRANKLIN Roosevelt's cousin, Theodore Roosevelt, an earlier president and champion of national parks, was dubbed "the conservation president" and visited our parks well beyond his presidency. He doubled the number of sites in the National Park system and enabled future presidents to proclaim historic landmarks through the Antiquities Act of June 8, 1906. This protected structures and historic objects under federal ownership.

Conservationist John Muir engendered a love of nature in the common man -- and in presidents. 

We appreciate the Roosevelts' vision and that of naturalist John Muir who guided Teddy Roosevelt into the wilderness of Yosemite for an overnight trip. Friends said it marked Teddy for life and led to his deep commitment to preserving park land for the people.

Glacier Park's wonders -- more than a day trip

OUR NATURALIST friends, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR and Muir -- knew a single day -- or three -- couldn't do justice to a national park. Yet FDR's few hours more than 80 years ago inspired a stirring radio address about Glacier's wonders and still encourages international visits. He told friends he was inspired by Teddy's impressions and wanted to see for himself.

Try to stay a week or at least four or five days. If you only have a couple days, though, savor a national park visit to encourage an encore visit.

The grizzly bear is a sight to behold. They can be seen in Glacier and Yellowstone national parks.

Trees, critters, birds, majestic glaciers, waterfalls, redwoods and vistas are a few of the enticements. Visiting Glacier Park, in the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir, pays homage to these visionary men while we continue their spirit of admiration. It's fitting that their encouragement continues to inspire millions today.

IN EVERY visit to Glacier, Teton and Yellowstone, we've been lucky to see bears.  We've watched them hike up hills and munch on grubs and berries, fattening up for the long winter's nap, months away. Once, we watched one unearth a carcass of a long dead mountain goat. The griz feasted on the smelly remains, buried months ago. No doubt, he'd remembered where he hid it.

Photographer Rick Cosgriffe has a field day in Glacier. He visits the park several times each season, taking photos for his annual Daytime Planner.

The grizzly has been around for at least 10,000 years. The native people knew them first, and they'd been there thousands of years before European explorers showed up in the late 1800s.

The "westerners" crossed the mountains in search of vast buffalo herds on eastern plains, documenting their observations of the grizzly.

 NATIVE people saw the parks' same wonders that Teddy, FDR, Muir and today's tourists do: rugged peaks, clear waters, abundant animal and bird life, breathtaking geysers and glacial-carved valleys.  May our national parks inspire those who love nature's beauty to protect and preserve it through the generations.

Kateri, a golden eagle injured by a car, is part of the Raptor Exhibit at the Buffalo Bill Center. Coming soon here.

COMING SOON: We're back from a road trip to Cody, Wyoming, with a store of wonders including the Draper Museum Raptor Exhibit and a raptors' show at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, nature, performance and more at www.whereiscookie.com