The historic Polebridge Mercantile, established in 1914, stands as a rustic landmark in Glacier National Park's remote North Fork region, famous for its freshly baked huckleberry bearclaws and other pastries made daily in the century-old building's original ovens (Temporarily Closed, will open in 2025. See their website for more info)

Bowman Lake is a central stop for most of the North Fork Hikes. Here are your choice. The hike to AKOKALA LAKE is a 5.8-mile round-trip trail with 800 feet of elevation gain, starting from the Bowman Lake Ranger Station. Trekkers are rewarded with stunning views of the lake nestled in a glacial cirque, surrounded by towering mountains and lush subalpine forests. The BOWMAN LAKE HEAD trail is a 7.1-mile out-and-back hike through rolling hills, beginning at the Bowman Lake Ranger Station. This route offers panoramic vistas of the serene Bowman Lake and the surrounding peaks of the Livingston Range. The COVEY MEADOW trail is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike with gentle rolling terrain, accessible from the Polebridge Ranger Station. This peaceful meadow trail provides opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the diverse wildflowers that bloom throughout the summer. The HIDDEN MEADOW trail is a 1.2-mile out-and-back hike with 250 feet of elevation gain, located 3 miles south of the Polebridge Ranger Station. This trail leads to a beautiful subalpine meadow, offering a scenic respite for hikers. The LOGGING LAKE TRAIL is a 4.5-mile round-trip hike with 400 feet of elevation gain, beginning north of the Logging Creek Ranger Station. Hikers can enjoy the tranquility of Logging Lake, a remote and less-visited destination in the North Fork region. The trail to QUARTZ LAKE is a 6-mile out-and-back hike with a 1,800-foot gain and 1,600-foot descent, beginning at the Bowman Lake Picnic Area. This challenging route leads to the stunning turquoise waters of Quartz Lake, surrounded by rugged mountain scenery.There are two access points for the Lower Quartz Lake trail: a 3-mile out-and-back hike with 1,200 feet of gain and 1,000 feet of descent from the Bowman Lake Picnic Area, or a 6.9-mile out-and-back hike with 500 feet of gain from north of the Quartz Creek Campground. The NUMA LOOKOUT trail is a 5.6-mile round-trip hike with a staggering 2,930 feet of elevation gain, starting from the Bowman Lake Ranger Station. Hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of the Livingston Range and the North Fork region from the historic Numa Lookout.

The Kintla Lake Head trail is a 6.6-mile out-and-back hike through rolling hills, starting 0.25 miles west of the Kintla Lake Campground. This trail provides access to the serene northern end of the pristine Kintla Lake, surrounded by towering peaks.

The Forest and Fire Nature Trail is a 1.5-mile round-trip interpretive walk that showcases the park's dynamic relationship with wildfire through a series of recovering burn zones, rated as easy with minimal elevation gain. The trail meanders through areas impacted by the 2003 Robert Fire, allowing visitors to observe forest regeneration stages including young lodgepole pines, pioneer species like fireweed, and patches of surviving old-growth forest.

This was actually the first administrative area in the park, predating the park itself. That’s because, before the National Park, this area was open to homesteading and private businesses, like oil and gas drilling. The station was built to keep an eye on all that activity.