Western Montana Travel Information: Know Before You Go
TRAVEL SAFELY
- Although the state of Montana does not require masks, there may also be tribe-specific orders on American Indian reservations. Individual businesses throughout the region may require and enforce mask wearing in indoor public spaces—please respect their right to do so.
- We have all gone to great lengths to help control the spread of COVID-19, and it remains imperative that we continue to follow CDC guidelines.
- Stay up-to-date on travel regulations and the COVID-19 situation using reliable sources like the Centers for Disease Control, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, federal regulations and community-specific webpages.
- Plan ahead to ensure businesses and attractions are open; staffing shortages may affect business hours.
- Continue to monitor the situation and adjust plans accordingly.
- Always be prepared by having a back-up plan in place.
RECREATE RESPONSIBLY
- Leave no trace. Help us preserve our wild places by packing out everything you pack in. That includes things that may not be on your radar, like fruit rinds and cherry pits.
- Tread lightly. While recreating, especially motorized recreation, it’s important to minimize your impacts on the outdoors. Learn how to “Tread Lightly!” here and read the T.R.E.A.D. principles here.
- Practice wildland fire safety. Please do your part to ensure that your actions involving fire are responsible. Campfires must be extinguished completely. Click here for Western Montana wildland fire updates.
- Respect animals while wildlife watching. This helps keep both wildlife and you safe. Stay the recommended distance away from all wildlife, and do not feed them or put yourself or others in danger trying to get that perfect selfie with a mountain goat.
- Help protect our waters. When you fish and boat Montana's waterways, it's important to follow steps to ensure you don't contribute to the introduction of invasive species—they're a real threat to Montana's waterways. Read more about mandatory watercraft inspections, Clean. Drain. Dry. protocols, and protecting our waters.
- Be respectful, patient and kind. We expect residents and visitors to be mutually respectful of each other. Also, our parks and rec personnel, essential workers and small business owners deserve to be treated with kindness, patience and understanding now more than ever.
- Take the Tourism Pledge.
VISITING GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
- The park is open year-round and recreational opportunities can be found during all seasons.
- Buy your park entrance pass in advance at recreation.gov/sitepass/74280.
- Plan ahead and prepare for temporary traffic restrictions at the West Entrance, due to congestion.
- Construction will continue along the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the south end of Lake McDonald near Apgar Campground to Sprague Creek Campground through September, causing short delays in both directions. The construction zone will be closed Monday through Saturday 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. until October 1.
- The west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road from Apgar to Logan Pass will close for the season on October 1. The east side will remain open from St. Mary to Logan Pass until October 16 at midnight, weather dependent.
- Hiker/biker access is permitted on the road closure west of Logan Pass to North McDonald Road while road crews are not working.
- Park shuttles will remain in operation until September 18 with reduced services.
- Logan Pass Visitor Center will be open through September 25, with no potable water accessible after September 11. St. Mary Visitor Center will be open through October 2 with no potable water accessible after October 11. Apgar Visitor Center will be open through October 10, then only on weekends through October 23, weather permitting. Restrooms and potable water are available at Apgar Visitor Center plaza year-round.
- Read more about front-country campground information and wilderness camping permits here.
- Lake McDonald, Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake will be the only vehicle-accessible bodies of water open to watercraft in the park after September 30. Read more about boat inspection station hours here. Watercraft inspections are mandatory.
- Concession services (lodging, food services, retail shops, horseback rides, boats and bus tours) will close for the season by the beginning of October.
- Prepare for shifting weather conditions with potential for rain or snow, especially in alpine areas. Be prepared for increased bear activity as fall approaches.
- Depending on the community level of COVID-19, masks may be required when entering federal buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
TRAVEL ON TRIBAL LANDS
Please be aware of when you are traveling on tribal lands. It’s important to be mindful and respectful of a tribe’s unique culture, history and traditions. It’s also important to “know before you go” in terms of recreation permits and policies that may be different from Montana law. Read more about respectful travel on Tribal Lands here.
Recreation + Permits: When recreating on tribal lands, note that tribal conservation and fishing permits are required. Some areas are restricted to tribal use (enrolled tribal members) only; please be respectful.
COVID-19: Travelers are encouraged to plan ahead by checking tribal resources on the websites below for the latest information on possible COVID-19 restrictions.
TRAVEL FROM CANADA
Visitors are allowed to enter the United States from Canada at land and ferry ports of entry if they are fully vaccinated. Please read more on our International Border Crossings page.
CAR RENTALS
- Due to a nationwide shortage, it may be somewhat challenging and more expensive than normal to reserve a car, so here are some tips:
- Call the rental agency’s local number to ensure the most up-to-date availability, rather than referring to a website.
- Car rental companies are giving a preference to longer rentals because they have limited staff to clean and service shorter rental windows.
- Uber and Lyft are available at Glacier Park International Airport and Missoula Airport.
- If you are unable to secure a rental car, try Turo carsharing service.
- Many hotels have a shuttle service to get you to and from the airport, but you should confirm this with your reservation.
RESOURCES
For more traveler information and prevention tips, we encourage you to seek the most current information from the following sources:
PARTNER INFORMATION & TRAVEL UPDATES
