Glacier National Park will not require vehicle reservations in 2026. Visitors will be able to drive personal vehicles into the park at any time of day without securing an advance reservation.
Shuttles serve Logan Pass from both sides of Going-to-the-Sun Road. West side routes depart from Apgar Transit Center and Lake McDonald Lodge, with afternoon stops at the Loop. East side routes depart from St. Mary Visitor Center and Rising Sun. Riders can transfer between routes at Logan Pass. Note that Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars will not be accessible by park shuttle in 2026.
Because snow conditions can delay trail openings—including the Highline Trail—check the park’s trail status page before heading out. Updated route details, boarding times and stop locations will also be posted as the season approaches.
Park shuttles in 2026 will operate as a reservation-only express service. The shuttle services begin on July 1, 2026.
If you plan to ride the shuttle, you must purchase your shuttle ticket in advance on recreation.gov. See below on how to secure a ticket.
Tickets are sold exclusively through Recreation.gov (or by calling 877.444.6777) for a $1 processing fee per ticket. They are not sold inside the park, and a Recreation.gov account is required. All passengers age 2 and older need a ticket; tickets are nontransferable.
Tickets are released in two windows:
- 60 days in advance on a rolling basis, beginning May 2, 2026, at 8 a.m. MDT.
- Next-day tickets released nightly at 7 p.m. MDT, beginning June 30.
Cell service is unreliable throughout the park, so print or save a digital copy of your ticket before you arrive. A photo ID may be requested at boarding.
Beginning July 1, parking at Logan Pass will be limited to three hours—enough time to visit the Visitor Center, attend an interpretive program or hike to Hidden Lake Overlook.
Visitors planning longer hikes—including the Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet or to the Loop Trailhead—must use the park shuttle and will need a pre-reserved shuttle ticket.
These changes are designed to improve traffic flow and access at one of the park’s most congested locations. Travelers hoping to hike longer trails or spend extended time at Logan Pass should plan ahead and secure shuttle reservations early. Overnight parking is not permitted, except for backcountry permit holders and registered Granite Park Chalet guests.
Non-residents of the United States should be aware of additional entrance requirements and fee options when planning a trip to Glacier National Park.
Non-Resident Annual Pass: The America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass is available for $250 and provides access to all U.S. national parks. This pass covers one private vehicle, two motorcycles, or the passholder plus three additional adults at sites that charge per person rather than per vehicle.
Non-Resident Entrance Fee: Visitors age 16 and older who reside outside the U.S. and who do not have an America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass pay a $100 non-resident fee in addition to the standard park entrance fee. Learn more here.
Commercial and Guided Tours: The $100 non-resident fee also applies to non-resident visitors participating in commercial tours, Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) trips and concessionaire-led tours, unless they use an America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass. Learn more here.
For the most up-to-date information on fees and passes, check the official National Park Service website before arriving.
Approximately 50 miles between its west entrance at West Glacier and its east entrance at St. Mary. The length of time it takes you will depend. There are various points of interest along the length of the road, as well as short hikes, if you’re inclined to pull over. Without stopping, it takes about two hours, but always plan for more time due to traffic congestion.
From the west entrance at West Glacier, Logan Pass is 32 miles. From the east entrance at St. Mary, it’s 18 miles.
The road is typically open from mid-June until mid-October, weather dependent. For current road status updates throughout the park, visit the National Park Service website.
Weather and road conditions in the park can be unpredictable. If you are at the park, you can consult the rangers at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, Apgar Visitor Center or the St. Mary Visitor Center. Find out trail status here. Find out road status here. Find out campground status here.
One way to stay up-to-date is to sign up to receive Glacier National Park notifications via text:
- For TRAIL updates, closures and postings, text GNPTRAILS to 333111.
- For CAMPGROUND updates and fill notifications, text GNPCGS to 333111.
- For ROAD updates, including openings and closures, text GNPROADS to 333111.
West, Camas and North Fork Entrances:
From Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls, use the west entrance in West Glacier, which provides access to the Lake McDonald area, Park Headquarters and the Apgar Visitor Center, and is the only west entry point to the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
From Kalispell, head 30 miles northeast on U.S. Highway 2.
The west entrance in West Glacier is about 25 miles from Whitefish. Head south on U.S. Highway 93, turn left onto State Highway 40 E and continue onto U.S. Highway 2 E.
The west entrance is about 15 miles from Columbia Falls on U.S. 2 E.
The North Fork entrance is about 35 miles from Columbia Falls. From Highway 2, turn right onto Nucleus Drive, which becomes Outer North Fork Road. Take this mostly dirt road the 35 miles to Polebridge and hang a right. The Ranger Station lies just up the road from the mercantile.
The Camas entrance is 14 miles south of Polebridge on the North Fork Road.
St. Mary, Two Medicine and Many Glacier Entrances:
From Great Falls and Browning, use the St. Mary, Two Medicine or Many Glacier entrances, which can all be reached by taking Highway 89 north from Great Falls to Browning (125 miles) and then following the signs to the respective entrance.
The St. Mary entrance provides access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road as well as the St. Mary Visitor Center and services at Rising Sun.
The Many Glacier entrance provides access to the Many Glacier Valley and visitor services at the Many Glacier Hotel and the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.
For more information, as well as details about entering the park by car, train or shuttle, visit the National Park Service website.
Yes. Vehicles and vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet and wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. Due to rock overhangs, vehicle and vehicle combinations more than 10 feet may have difficulty driving west from Logan Pass to the Loop.
You can and you should. Every spring, cyclists enjoy the road before it’s open to vehicular traffic. For safety reasons, bicycles are restricted from parts of the road from June 15 through Labor Day—peak visiting time. Fall is also a gorgeous time to bike the road. Visit the National Park Service website for more information about road closures due to plowing and peak-season visiting, as well as rules and restrictions.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a two-lane, narrow road, reaching an elevation of 6,646 feet. From the road, visitors experience breathtaking views of valleys and mountains, and at times the drop-off from the road is steep. The road has a stone wall or guard rail on the outside lane, for safety. For those with issues with heights, the east to west route will keep you on the inside lane.
You certainly can. Jackson Glacier Overlook affords the best opportunity to see a glacier from the road. Jackson Glacier Overlook is located on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road between Logan Pass and St. Mary.
Yes, five out of 13 campgrounds in Glacier are located along the road: Apgar, Sprague Creek, Avalanche, Rising Sun and St. Mary. Be aware that advance reservations are required for Apgar, Sprague Creek, Avalanche and St. Mary campgrounds.
Gas is not available anywhere in the park or on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Gas is available in East Glacier, West Glacier and St. Mary, as well as other surrounding communities. Food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and lodging can be found at Rising Sun, Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier and Apgar Village. Picnic areas can be found at Rising Sun, Sun Point, Avalanche, Sprague Creek and Apgar. Two Medicine has a general store and picnicking areas as well.
There are limited to no services available along the 35-mile, mostly dirt Outside North Fork Road leading to Polebridge.
For safety reasons, 45 miles per hour is the speed limit in the lower elevations of the road and 25 miles per hour in the alpine section.
Logan Pass is the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road at 6,646 feet.
Glacier National Park is wild country, and wildlife may be present anywhere along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are typically seen near Logan Pass. Wildlife can often be spotted in the Many Glacier Valley—north of the east entrance at St. Mary. Don’t get too close! Wildlife is just that—wild. Do not approach wildlife. Visitors are required to keep a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from any other wildlife, including nesting birds. Visit our wildlife safety page for more information about viewing wildlife safely.
Glacier's western valleys tend to receive the most rainfall. Summer daytime temperatures can reach above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (expect slightly cooler temperatures in the higher elevations). Overnight lows can drop to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit and snow can fall at any time. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions and pack accordingly, dress in layers and always bring rain gear.
Glacier National Park is breathtakingly beautiful in every season. While summer is our most popular time to visit, you can avoid crowds (especially at Logan Pass) and take advantage of shoulder-season prices if you visit during the spring or fall. Spring is the perfect time to bike the Going-to-the-Sun Road before it’s open to vehicular traffic and fall paints the park in stunning autumn hues. Both shoulder seasons are also excellent times to view park wildlife. Most of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to vehicles in the winter, but visitors can snowshoe or Nordic ski the road amid a jaw-dropping wonderland of pure white. It’s our quietest and most magical time of year.
Vehicle reservations have alleviated many of the park’s overcrowding problems. However, vehicle reservations and service reservations do not guarantee parking spaces in popular areas. Expect the possibility of congested and busy conditions throughout the park, and always have a backup plan.
Plan ahead. Book rental cars, accommodations and activities well in advance.
In general, no. We recommend boarding your pet with Glacier Bark Kennels in Columbia Falls or another nearby kennel. Be aware that there are not any boarding facilities on the east side of the park and that you should make reservations well in advance.
From Whitefish, Browning or Cut Bank, you can take Amtrak’s Empire Builder—trips depart daily—to West Glacier or East Glacier Park. From there you can walk to Glacier Park Lodge and take either a Red Bus Tour or a Sun Tour along the Going-to-the-Sun Road (tours only run at specific times, and you will need to make reservations in advance).
Glacier Institute offers guided sightseeing tours into the park starting from Whitefish.
A note on Uber and Lyft: They are available, but in most areas of Glacier National Park you likely won’t have enough cell service to order a driver, and even if you do, there’s no guarantee one will be willing to drive so far from “town” to pick you up. So, while it’s possible to use Uber/Lyft in our area, we definitely recommend using them for airport and town needs and making shuttle reservations to travel to Glacier National Park.
Yes, although amenities are limited in the spring, fall and winter months. Find out more about visiting during the off-season here.
Late spring is great time to visit because you can bike or hike the Going-to-the-Sun Road before it opens to vehicles. Find out more about spring opportunities here.
In mid to late September and early October (weather permitting) you can drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road amid fall colors. Find out more about fall opportunities here.
In the winter, the park is a Nordic skiing and snowshoeing wonderland, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to vehicles. Amenities are very limited. Find out more about winter opportunities here.
Educate yourself! Familiarize yourself with the park’s five different entrances and the activities and amenities available at each. Learn about the park’s history and its importance to local tribes. Your visit will be much more enjoyable if you have a plan for what you want to see and do.
If you plan to hike, know your limitations. If you are new to hiking at high elevations, then look for trails that are 5 miles or less and do not have much elevation gain. Dress in layers and carry a pack with food and water. Bring bear spray and know how to use it.
Always follow park rules and recreate responsibly.
Yes! Both motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed on certain lakes but must be inspected for aquatic invasive species first. Find out more here.
