Glacier National Park Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is Glacier National Park located?
Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana on the U.S./Canadian border. Access to the park from the east and west is along U.S. Highway 2. Park headquarters is located in West Glacier.

2. When is the park open?
Glacier National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. In the fall winter and spring, some roads are inaccessible by car due to snow.

3. What does it cost to enter the park?
The entrance fees are as follows:
Single Person Entry - $12.00 for a 7-day pass
Single Vehicle Entry - $25.00 for a 7-day pass
Glacier National Park Pass - $35.00 for a one-year pass
National Parks Pass - $80.00 for a one-year pass
America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass - $10.00 for a lifetime pass
Golden Access Passport - No fee for a lifetime pass

Commercial Tour Vehicle Fee - Contact park for fee schedule
Special conditions apply to commercially operated activities in the park. If you use park resources to provide a service (regardless of non-profit status) certain restrictions may apply to you. Please contact the park for more information.

4. Where are the closest airports to the park? Is there transportation from the airports to the park?
The closest airports are Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana (25 miles from West Glacier) and in Great Falls, Montana (200 miles from West Glacier). Car rentals are available at both airports. Shuttles are available at the Kalispell airport.

5. What is the closest train station to the park?
Amtrak rail lines parallel the southern and southwestern borders of the park. Amtrak stops at West Glacier (Belton), East Glacier (summer only), and Essex (upon request).

6. What transportation is available within the park?
In addition to private automobiles, guided tours are available in the main sections of the park. For tour information, visit the Tours Page on this website. Rental cars are available in neighboring communities.

7. Where are the visitor centers located in the park?
Visitor centers are located in Apgar, Logan Pass, and St. Mary. Each of these visitor centers, as well as the Many Glacier and Two Medicine Ranger Stations, have park rangers on duty throughout the summer months to answer questions and provide information. During the winter months, Apgar Visitor Center is open on week-ends.

8. Do you have campgrounds in the park? Can I make a reservation?
Glacier National Park has 13 campgrounds, which provide just over 1000 campsites. Most of the campgrounds are operated on a "first come, first serve" basis. Fish Creek and St. Mary Campgrounds will be available for reservation.

Winter primitive camping is available in the Apgar Picnic Area and in the St. Mary Campground.

9. Is it possible to reserve a backcountry campsite?
Reservations for backcountry campsites may be made in advance, beginning April 1 for the upcoming summer.

10. Can I drive my RV along 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 the Sun Point parking area. You may however, drive to Avalanche if traveling east, and to Sun Point, if traveling west. Vehicles over 10 feet in height may have difficulty driving west from Logan Pass due to rock overhangs. Stock trucks and trailers may access Packers Roost and Siyeh Bend.

11. When does the Going-to-the-Sun Road open and close?
Some sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are open to motor vehicles all year long. The section of the road between Lake McDonald Lodge and St. Mary is typically closed to motorized vehicles due to snow from early-winter through early-spring. Closed sections of the road are open to hikers, unless marked by signs indicating otherwise.

Traditionally, the upper (alpine) section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens sometime during the first two weeks in June. The earliest opening date is May 16 and the latest opening date is June 28.

12. In order to rebuild the Going-to-the-Sun Road, will it need to be closed?
Major reconstruction of the Going-to-the-Sun Road has been proposed. If funding becomes available, road reconstruction would not begin until after 2004. It is not known at this time, how this reconstruction would be implemented and what affect it will have on vehicular travel across the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

13. What is the weather like in Glacier?
During the summer months of June, July, and August, daytime temperatures average in the 60’s and 70’s. Nighttime temperatures average in the 40’s. These are merely averages and daytime highs can exceed 90 degrees F and overnight lows can drop to near 20 degrees F. Snow can fall anytime, especially in areas above the treeline, where it is frequently 10 to 15 degrees cooler. Summer rainfall averages two to three inches per month.

For current weather forecasts, visit the Weather & Climate Page on this website.

14. What type of clothing do you recommend?
Prepare for a variety of weather conditions. You may start the day in a T-shirt and shorts and need a parka by evening. Dress in layers. Always bring raingear.

15. What activities are available in the park?
Glacier National Park offers a wide variety of recreational activities. Popular activities include camping, hiking, boating, fishing, backcountry camping, bicycling, ranger-led nature hikes and talks, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sightseeing.

16. Do you have special activities for children?
Children, ages 6 to 12, can become a Junior Ranger by completing family activities found in the Junior Ranger Newspaper. This newspaper is available at park visitor centers. Self-guided nature trails, ranging in length from one-quarter mile to two miles, are perfect for families with children. Many of the ranger-led activities are appropriate for children including hikes, boat trips, as well as special family programs and evening programs. There is an education cabin located near the Apgar Visitor Center which allows children and families to explore educational and fun hands-on activities during regularly-scheduled hours throughout the summer. Check the park newspaper, "Nature with Naturalist," for current programs and schedules upon your arrival.

17. When do the naturalist programs begin and end?
The park-sponsored naturalist programs begins in mid-June and ends in mid-September.

18. How much does it cost to fish in the park?
There is no fee or license required to fish in Glacier. There are regulations governing fishing that need to be followed. Stop by a visitor center to obtain a copy of the regulations. The general park fishing season is from the third Saturday in May to November 30.

19. Do you have bike trails?
Bicycles are not allowed on any trails except for the paved two-mile hiker/biker trail from Apgar to West Glacier.

20. Can I bicycle along the Going-to-the-Sun Road?
Bicycling is allowed along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, with the following exceptions:

From June 15 to Labor Day, the section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road from Apgar to Sprague Creek Campground is closed to bicycles between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
From Logan Creek to Logan Pass, east bound bicycling is prohibited between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

21. Can I rent bikes in the park?
At this time, there are no bicycle rentals available in the park. Some of the neighboring communities offer bike rental services.

22. Are motor boats and "jet skis" allowed in the park?
Motor boating is permitted on some park waters. Motorized watercraft are only permitted on Lake McDonald, Waterton, Sherburne, and St. Mary Lakes. Motorized craft are also permitted on Bowman and Two Medicine Lakes, but are limited to ten horsepower or less. Personal watercraft ("jet skis") are currently prohibited on all park waters.

23. Can I water ski in the park?
Water skiing is permitted only on Lake McDonald and St. Mary Lake, and only from sunrise to sunset.

24. What lodging is available in the park?
Lodges and hotels are located throughout the park. For reservations and information, visit the Glacier Park Lodging Page on this website.

25. What services are available in the park?
In addition to camping and lodging, park concessions offer food, supplies, and gift services, boat tours, horseback riding, guided backcountry and day hiking trips, and bus and van tours.

26. Are pets allowed?
Pets are allowed in the park, but special regulations apply. Pets are not allowed on any park trails. Pets are only allowed in drive-in campgrounds, along park roads open to motor vehicles, and in picnic areas. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet and under physical restraint or caged. They may not be left unattended for any length of time. Kennels are available in several towns surrounding the park.

27. When is the best time to view wildflowers?
Wildflowers begin to bloom in the valleys during late spring. The Logan Pass area is lush with alpine wildflowers from late June to early August.

28. When is the best time to view fall colors?
Generally, late September to mid-October is a good time to view fall colors.

29. Is it safe to hike in "bear country?"
Glacier National Park is home to both grizzly and black bears and provides a wonderful opportunity to view animals in their natural setting. Along with this opportunity comes a special obligation for hikers. Before you hit the trail, stop in at a visitor center or ranger station to get an update on bear activity.