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. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
- Take the Tourism Pledge.
VISITING GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
- During the 2023 summer season, a vehicle reservation is required for four areas of the park: the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the North Fork, Two Medicine and Many Glacier. Each location has unique details and requires a separate reservation. Read more here.
- The park has announced plans for major construction areas during the 2023 summer season. Prepare for traffic delays at the West Entrance and closures in the North Fork. In addition, construction will continue on multiple bridges within the park, as well as the Going-to-the-Sun Road and Lake McDonald area, and just outside the park in Polebridge and on U.S. highways 2 and 89. Read more here.
- The park’s free spring hiker/biker shuttle will provide weekend service starting May 13 and daily service starting July 1 or when the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens all the way, whichever comes first. Read more here.
- Snow removal on the Going-to-the-Sun began the first week of April and will continue until it’s open to Logan Pass, usually between mid-June and early July. Typical years see snowstorms and avalanches continuing through May, making it impossible to predict an opening date.
- Hikers and bikers can travel on the Going-to-the-Sun Road as far as posted closures. Access beyond the closures is prohibited, and visitors who disobey road closure signage are putting their safety, and that of rescue personnel, at risk.
- Many Glacier, Camas, Quarter Circle Bridge, Two Medicine and Chief Mountain roads are open for the season. The Chief Mountain Border Crossing opens for the season on May 15. See the Canada Border Services Agency website for details.
- Most frontcountry campgrounds will operate under a reservation system in 2023. Campground reservations can be made on Recreation.gov. Most campsites are reservable approximately six months in advance, and several campsites in each campground can be reserved four days in advance to accommodate visitors with more spontaneous itineraries. Read more here.
- Visitors who plan to use a private boat will need to report to an AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) inspection station. Read more here.
- All park concessionaires plan to operate this summer. Some concessionaire services will open in May, including lodging, tours, food service and retail shops. Read more here.
- The Apgar Visitor Center is currently staffed on weekends, with daily operations beginning May 13. The St. Mary Visitor Center will be open daily starting May 26.
- Much of the park is still snow-covered this time of year, and travelers should be prepared for changing conditions. Avalanches are still active on trails and along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Higher elevation trails can be dangerous and snow-covered until late June. Bears are emerging from their dens hungry, and visitors should take steps to travel safely in bear country.
- Buy your park entrance pass in advance here.
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.
PARTNER INFORMATION & TRAVEL UPDATES
