Can I Hike From East Glacier Park Village?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The tribal council voted unanimously to allow the east entrances to open

based on the increased availability of COVID-19 testing and vaccines. At a special meeting on Wednesday the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council unanimously voted to allow the eastern entrance of Glacier National Park to open for the 2021 season.

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Is it better to stay on the east side or west side of Glacier National Park?

You'll also be near the Many Glacier area of the park. In fact, if you stay in West Glacier, it will take you over 2 hours one-way to get to Many Glacier! This makes

staying on the east side of the park the best option if you are visiting the area solely for Glacier National Park

.

What is there to do on the east side of Glacier National Park?

  • Take the Eastern Alpine Red Bus Tour.
  • Hike the Sunrift Gorge to St. Mary Falls trail.
  • Hike to Grinnell Glacier.
  • Have dinner (or drinks!) …
  • Stop in at the St. …
  • Attend a Ranger Program at the St. …
  • Hike the Hidden Lake Trail at Logan Pass.
  • Hike to Iceberg Lake.

Where can I enter Glacier National Park?

The main entrance to Glacier Park is the

West Glacier Entrance

– located just outside the town of West Glacier, MT. This Glacier National Park Entrance is open 24 hours a day all year around. It gives you access to the Going-To-The-Sun Road from the west side of Glacier Park.

Can you get into Glacier National Park without Going-to-the-Sun Road?

The cold hard fact is that

you need a vehicle reservation to access the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor from West Glacier/Camas/Rising Sun and the North Fork at the Polebridge Ranger Station

.

Is East Glacier closed?


Access to the park east of the Continental Divide has been closed since March 2020

to protect the Blackfeet Indian Reservation population from COVID-19 due to high-risk members of the community.

Which is prettier East or West Glacier?

The main attraction in Glacier National Park is the Going-To-The-Sun Road. The Sun Road is 50 miles long from West Glacier on the West Side to Saint Mary on the East Side.

The West Side encompasses 35 miles of this Road and will provide you with the more scenic and picturesque drive

.

How many days do you need in Glacier National Park?

How Many Days Do You Need in Glacier National Park? Ideally, plan on spending at least

two to three days

in Glacier National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike one or two trails, and visit the Many Glacier or Two Medicine areas.

When should I avoid Glacier National Park?

The Best Way to Avoid Crowds in Glacier National Park

during the Summer

. The best way to avoid summer crowds in Glacier National Park is to arrive before 7am at the trailhead or parking area. For extremely popular areas like Logan Pass, 7am might not be early enough to find a parking spot.

Which side of Glacier is best?

The

east side

of Glacier National Park is generally drier, cooler and windier than the rest of the park. The base elevation is higher and the valleys are wider. That makes for some epic scenery and outstanding adventuring. Here are some of our favorite spots on the east side.

What is the best month to visit Glacier National Park?

For most people,

late June through mid-September

is the best time to visit Glacier, because they want to drive the Going to the Sun Road, raft and fish the rivers, hike the trails, visit the backcountry Chalets, and explore several areas of the park, on both sides of the Continental Divide.

Can you see the northern lights at Glacier National Park?

Best time to view northern lights

In Glacier National Park,

you can observe polar lights at any time of the year

. However, the longer nights of late fall, winter, and early spring offer the best chances to watch an unbelievable light show. The peak times are from around an hour before midnight to around an hour after.

What is the closest town to Glacier National Park?


Columbia Falls

may actually be the closest city to Glacier National Park, so if you're going to stay somewhere other than Whitefish, try Columbia Falls (especially Cedar Creek Lodge!) Kalispell.

What is the most scenic drive in Glacier National Park?


Going-to-the-Sun Road

is a highlight not to be missed during your Glacier visit. The Road spans 50 miles and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. During your traverse you will see impressive , beautiful valleys, cascading waterfalls, towering mountains and colorful wildflowers.

Are all entrances to Glacier National Park open?


The park is open year-round

, but park conditions and accessible areas vary greatly by season. Most businesses and services are only open during Glacier's summer season, which generally runs from late May through September.

Do you need a permit to enter Glacier National Park?

In an effort to manage crowds during the peak travel season, the National Park Service is continuing the entrance permit system for Glacier and Rocky Mountain National Parks in 2022.

These permits must be purchased in advance, and they are required even if you have a national parks pass

.

Can I sleep in my car in Glacier National Park?


You can sleep in your car if you wish- assuming it's not a convertible!

Can I enter Glacier before 6 am?

Many Glacier may reach capacity and temporarily limit visitors between 10 AM and 2 PM on busy days.

Plan to arrive in Many Glacier before 10 AM

. Make a tour reservation. Reserving a boat, bus, or horseback tour along Going-to-the-Sun Road grants you access to Going-to-the-Sun Road on the day of your tour.

Where can I enter Glacier National Park without a ticket?

Glacier National Park Non-Reservation Areas


Many Glacier Valley, Two Medicine Valley, Cut Bank, the area between the St. Mary Entrance and Rising Sun, and park areas along Hwy 2 and Chief Mountain Highway

do not require vehicle reservations. These areas may restrict vehicle access if vehicle capacity is exceeded.

Is Going-to-the-Sun Road Open 2021?

WEST GLACIER — Going-to-the-Sun Road

officially opened this morning for the 2021 summer season

. The road may now be accessed by motorized vehicles all the way through from both the West Glacier and St. Mary entrances.

Is East Glacier Open 2021?


The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council has voted to allow the eastern entrance to Glacier National Park, located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, to open for the 2021 tourist season

.

Are there still glaciers at Glacier Park?

Montana's Glacier National Park is home to 25 glaciers. That may seem like a lot, but in 1850, there were 150 glaciers in this area. Today's much lower number reflects a distressing trend — based on the current rate of climate change,

there may not be any glaciers in Glacier National Park by the year 2030

.

How much does it cost for one vehicle to enter Glacier National Park?

Glacier National Park Per Vehicle Per Person Current Summer Rates

$30


$15
New Summer Rates as of June 1, 2018 $35 $20 Current Winter Rates $20 $10

Are glaciers smoky?

Current smoke levels in Glacier National Park vary depending on the time of day and your location in the park. The smoke is coming from the #SpragueFire and from other fires throughout the Northwest and Canada. I was there yesterday… 7 hour drive to get there,

very smokey

but still very beautiful.

What is there to do in Glacier National Park in 2 days?
  1. Eat at Lake McDonald Lodge. …
  2. Hike to Avalanche Lake. …
  3. Take a Red Bus Tour. …
  4. Ice cream at the Cedar Tree Gift Shop. …
  5. Ride on a Historic Boat at Two Medicine. …
  6. Going-to-the-Sun Road. …
  7. Hike on Logan Pass. …
  8. Dine at Many Glacier Hotel.

Is Lake McDonald East or West Glacier?

Glacier's

West Side

: Apgar and Lake McDonald

Lake McDonald/ Apgar is minutes away from West Glacier and has several restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, gift shops, as well as horseback riding, boat tours/rentals and hiking.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.