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Glacier National Park through Window

How to
Glacier National Park

"How to Glacier National Park"! Our page is dedicated to providing you with all the information you need to plan and enjoy your visit to Glacier National Park.

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Our goal is to help you make the most of your visit and ensure that you have an unforgettable experience in this stunning natural wonderland.​

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Top 12 Things to Consider: 

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  1. You will need Park Passes & Vehicle Reservation to Enter Glacier National Park, or enter with a service reservation (meaning no Vehicle Reservation required). The Park Pass will be paid at the Entrance and is $80/annually for all National Parks, or $35 for Glacier only valid for 7 days. ADDITIONALLY you will need to book the Vehicle Reservation online before your visit. REMEMBER: A vehicle reservation does not include a park pass, and the park pass does not serve as a vehicle reservation. Also note: Service Reservation/Exceptions: Visitors with service reservations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor do not need a vehicle reservation. More info at bottom of page.

  2. Vehicle Reservations can only be booked on Recreation.gov. In 2023, a vehicle reservation is required for four areas of the park: Going-to-the-Sun Road, the North Fork, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier. Each location has unique details and requires a separate reservation. Cost is $2.

  3. Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Three-Day Vehicle Reservations are Required for each vehicle entering through the West Entrance from May 26 through September 10, 2023, from 6 am to 3 pm. They are also Required for each vehicle entering through the St. Mary entrance from July 1 through September 10, 2023, from 6 am to 3 pm. You can enter without a Vehicle Reservation after 3pm or before 6am. But note, roads may close at 6pm due to construction. Check #5 Links below to check.

  4. If you were unable to reserve a Going to the Sun Road pass for your dates on recreation.gov when they were initially released don’t fret. Recreation.gov releases 1,000 passes daily at 8am MST. You will need to be logged into your Recreation.gov account. They will be good starting the next 3 consecutive days, not starting the day you booked.

  5. Check Road Status and Construction.

  6. Reserve your lodging and camping accommodations ahead of time, especially if you plan to visit during peak season. Clydesdale Outpost makes a great landing point being just 40 minutes from the West Entrance.

  7. Rent a car or bring your own vehicle that meets the size and weight restrictions for the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicles, and vehicle combinations, longer than 21 feet (including bumpers) or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors), are prohibited between Avalanche Campground and Rising Sun picnic area parking. Vehicles, and vehicle combinations, over 10 feet in height may have difficulty driving west from Logan Pass to the Loop due to rock overhangs. More information on vehicle size restrictions can be found on Glacier National Park's Website.

  8. Start your journey early in the morning to avoid crowds and traffic.

  9. Drive slowly and carefully as the road is narrow and winding, with steep drop-offs and sharp turns.

  10. Make several stops along the way to take in the stunning views of glaciers, mountains, and wildlife.

  11. Bring plenty of water, food, and warm clothing as the weather can change rapidly in the mountains. ALSO BRING BEAR SPRAY!

  12. Enjoy the adventurous and scenic drive of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park!

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Service Reservation/Exceptions


Visitors with service reservations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor do not need a vehicle reservation.  ​

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Valid service reservations will serve as a vehicle reservation for the day/s of the service reservation. Valid service reservations include lodging, camping, commercial tours, etc. in areas located inside the West Entrance, Camas Entrance, and St. Mary Entrance.  


Proof of a valid service reservation will serve as a vehicle reservation for the day/s of the service reservation only.  


See below for a list of qualifying service reservations. Service reservations in areas outside of the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor will not serve as valid vehicle reservations.


Qualifying Service Reservations: 


Camping Reservations: Apgar Campground, Fish Creek Campground, Sprague Creek Campground, and St. Mary Campground. 


Once registered, campers at Avalanche and Rising Sun Campgrounds (first-come, first-served campgrounds) will be allowed reservation area access for the date of their stay.     


Commercial Tour Reservations: 

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  • Glacier Park Boat Company

    • Lake McDonald

    • St. Mary Lake (Rising Sun Boat Dock)

  • Red Bus Tour Reservations

    • Apgar Visitor Center departure

    • Lake McDonald Lodge departure

    • St. Mary Visitor Center departure

    • Village Inn at Apgar departure

  • Sun Tours Reservations

    • Apgar Visitor Center departure

    • St. Mary Visitor Center departure      

Horseback Riding Reservations:

  • Swan Mountain Outfitter

    • Apgar Corral

    • Lake McDonald Corral     

 

Lodging Reservations: 

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  • Apgar Village Lodge

  • Glacier Bear Retreat

  • Granite Park Chalet

  • Lake McDonald Lodge

  • Motel Lake McDonald

  • Rising Sun Motor Inn

  • Sperry Chalet

  • Village Inn at Apgar     

 

Non-Profit Partner Reservations: 

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  • Glacier Institute     

 

Permit Holders: 

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  • Special Use Permits inside the West Entrance, Camas Entrance, and St. Mary Entrance, Includes weddings, special events, film/photography projects, first amendment activities, etc.  

  • Clients of Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) holders with commercial activities taking place inside the West Entrance, Camas Entrance, and St. Mary Entrance.    

 

Recreational Equipment Reservations (e.g., watercraft, bicycles): 

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  • Equipment pickup in areas inside the West Entrance, Camas Entrance, and St. Mary Entrance. This does not include bear spray rentals.

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Wilderness Camping Permits: 

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  • For trailheads located inside West Entrance, Camas Entrance, and St. Mary Entrance.   

 

Landowners within the park boundary along the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Reservation Area and their guests, tribal members, contractors, and others on official park business do not require a Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Vehicle Reservation. 

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If you have any questions feel free to reach our Guest Services desk at howdy@clydesdaleoutpost.com

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Photography by Melissa Findley

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