Montana COVID-19 Updates

At this time social distancing is still expected and everyone, especially those at higher risk of getting sick, should continue to follow Montana Department of Public Health and CDC recommendations to protect themselves and others.

Although the state of Montana does not require masks, face coverings are required on federal lands when social distancing is not possible—this includes Glacier National Park. There may also be tribe-specific orders on our 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, and it remains imperative that we continue to follow CDC guidelines. By being conscious we are protecting Montana's most vulnerable from COVID-19, and by continuing to take measures seriously, we protect our family, friends and neighbors.

PLEASE TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY

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.
Play it safe—if you’re not sure if a community requires face coverings—please wear one.
Plan ahead to ensure businesses and attractions are open.
Continue to monitor the situation, and adjust plans accordingly.
Be prepared.

TRAVEL ON TRIBAL LANDS

On August 16, 2021, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, the Blackfeet Nation issued a mandatory mask requirement for residents and visitors above the age of 2.

Click here for more details.

The Flathead Indian Reservation is open to nonresidents. All recreation restrictions were lifted, effective September 8, 2020, on Tribal lands within the Flathead Indian Reservation, although Tribal conservation and fishing permits are required. View the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Who’s at Risk campaign before traveling to our Tribal Nations.

In order to plan accordingly, travelers are encouraged to contact Tribal governments for the latest information before beginning their trips.

TRAVEL FROM CANADA

Beginning November 8, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to enter the United States from Canada at land and ferry ports of entry for any reason. Please read more on our International Border Crossings page.

ILLNESS PREVENTION

Avoid exposure to COVID-19 by doing the following:

Wash your hands thoroughly and often for at least 20 seconds using soap and water
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue (or your elbow)
Stay home if you are sick
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

If you have traveled to any destination during the past 14 days:

Monitor your health and practice social distancing.
If you get sick with a fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:
- Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor's office or emergency room.
- Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
- Avoid contact with others.
Do not travel while sick.

VISITING GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Much of the road access in the park is limited to lower elevations. Depending on weather conditions, the Going-to-the-Sun Road will be open to Avalanche Creek or Lake McDonald Lodge on the west side and the foot of St. Mary Lake on the east side. Occasionally, in extreme conditions, the road may be closed at the foot of Lake McDonald. Limited winter access into the North Fork area of the park is still available.
Check the National Park Service Road Status page for up-to-date information.
The Two Medicine and Many Glacier Valleys are closed to vehicular traffic for the season.
Winter recreation access—skiing and snowshoeing—is permitted beyond the vehicle closure on the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road and on the east side at St. Mary.
Loop B of the Apgar Campground will remain open for first-come, first-served primitive camping through the winter. Please note there is no water available and only vault toilets.
Park concessionaires operating lodging, restaurants, boat rentals, horseback rides and bus tours have closed for the season. In Apgar there is a camp store with limited grocery supplies, gift shops and recreational equipment rental.
With snow on park trails, winter conditions are in effect throughout the park’s trail system.
Buy your park entrance pass in advance at recreation.gov/sitepass/74280.
Winter backcountry camping permits will be issued electronically by advance reservation only. Permits may be obtained three to seven days in advance.
Please check the National Park Service for the most up-to-date information before and during your travel to the park and surrounding communities.
Glacier National Park just announced the ticketed entry reservation system for summer 2022. Additional details about ticketed entry will be available on the park website at www.nps.gov/glac.

RESERVE YOUR RENTAL CAR IN ADVANCE

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.
- Many hotels have a shuttle service to get you to and from the airport (see below), but you should confirm this with your reservation.

LEAVE NO TRACE AND TREAD LIGHTLY!

Help us preserve our wild places by packing out everything you pack in. That includes some things that may not be on your radar, like fruit rinds and cherry pits.

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.

Respecting animals while wildlife watching helps keep both them 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. Learn how you can Leave No Trace here.

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

Properly putting out campfires is crucial. Campfires and Montana go hand in hand, but Western Montana is susceptible to wildland fire, especially during the dry summer months. Have fun sleeping out under the stars, but 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. Learn more about Montana's fire restrictions and campfire safety here.

BE KIND, RESPECTFUL AND PATIENT

We're all in this together, and human decency is paramount. We expect residents and visitors to be mutually respectful of each other. We all have a common goal—to enjoy Montana. Also, our parks and rec personnel, essential workers, and small business owners deserve to be treated with respect and understanding now more than ever.

RESOURCES

For more traveler information and prevention tips, we encourage you to seek the most current information from the following sources:

Montana COVID-19 Updates