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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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INFORMATION

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What You Need

  • May 24 through September 8 vehicle reservations are required for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork from 6 am to 3 pm.

  • July 1 through September 8 vehicle reservations are required for Many Glacier from 6 am to 3 pm.

  • Visitors entering the park in a vehicle or on a motorcycle in one of these areas during these dates need two things: (1) A vehicle reservation OR service reservation and (2) Park Entrance Fee OR valid Park Pass (Annual, Senior, Military, etc.). 

  • The park is open 24/7 and visitors may enter vehicle reservation areas before 6 am or after 3 pm without a vehicle reservation.

 

Already Booked an Activity?

Visitors with lodging, camping, or commercial activity reservations (e.g., boat tours and horseback rides) within the specified reservation areas can use proof of their reservation for entry instead of a vehicle reservation to gain access to the vehicle reservation area for which they have a service reservation. 

 

Vehicle Reservation Release Dates

  • A portion of vehicle reservations will be available 120 days or approximately four months in advance, starting on January 25, 2024, at 8 am MST on a daily rolling basis.

  • Next Day vehicle reservations will be available at 7 pm MDT for next-day entry starting on May 23, 2024 on a daily rolling basis.

 

Vehicle reservations can only be booked on Recreation.gov

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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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