Where To Enter Glacier National Park?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Going-To-The-Sun Road

What are the entrances to Glacier National Park?

If you’re driving, the easiest ways to reach the park are from U.S. 2 and U.S. 89. Among the park’s entrances are those at

West Glacier, Camas Road, St. Mary, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and Polebridge

. Access is primarily at either end of Going-to-the-Sun Road: at West Glacier on the southwest side and St.

Are all entrances to Glacier National Park open?

Christmas Day December 25 Open 24 hours Holiday Date Hours

How many entrances does Glacier Park have?

From the east, all

three east-side entrances

can be reached by taking Highway 89 north from Great Falls through the town of Browning (approximately 125 miles) and following signs from there. The St. Mary Entrance is the eastern entry point of Going-to-the-Sun-Road and provides access to the St.

Do you need bear spray in Glacier National Park?

Do I really need bear spray?

Yes

. We highly suggest that visitors carry bear spray in the park as Glacier is home to the largest numbers of both grizzly and black bear in the lower 48.

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.

Can you enter 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 entrance to Glacier Open?


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.

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.

Do I need a reservation to enter Glacier National Park?

Vehicle Reservation System


A vehicle reservation is required for vehicles entering Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork area between May 27 and September 11, 2022

. In addition to a vehicle reservation, you will also need to a park pass. Visit our Vehicle Reservation page for full details.

Do I need reservations for Glacier National Park?


Entry reservation tickets are not required for any other portions of the park

(for example Many Glacier, Two Medicine, North Fork, Cut Bank or Chief Mountain Highway) but visitors are still subject to the per vehicle entrance fee. Visitors may also reserve a ticket through Recreation. gov’s call center.

Is Going-to-the-Sun Road still open?


The lower elevation sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road remain open all year

and provide access to many locations and activities. The summer opening date of the alpine portion varies from year to year, based on snowfall and plowing progress. There is no set date for the road to open over Logan Pass.

How far is Bozeman from Glacier?

The distance from Bozeman to Glacier National Park is

249 miles

. The road distance is 356 miles. ✔ What agencies operate bus routes between Bozeman and Glacier National Park? Salt Lake Express coordinates buses from Bozeman to Glacier National Park.

How do I plan a trip to Glacier National Park?

  1. Pack the right gear.
  2. Do your research.
  3. Check the weather.
  4. Be bear aware.
  5. Download the Glacier National Park Map.
  6. Download the Glacier National Park Trail Map for hiking.
  7. Download the Going to the Sun Road GyPSy App.
  8. Book any guided activities you’d like to do in advance.

Are there grizzlies in Glacier National Park?

As you’re probably already aware,

Glacier National Park is bear country, and is home to both black bears and grizzly bears

. For those wishing to venture into Glacier’s backcountry, one of the first questions that comes to mind is how to have a safe trip while hiking with bears.

How common are bear attacks in Glacier National Park?

Although there is a significant bear population in Glacier National Park, bear attacks are

very rare

and only two have been fatal in the past thirty years! Both incidents occurred when a lone hiker stumbled upon a mother and two cubs. All that to say, keeping distance is vital, and hiking within groups is always safer.

Which is better Glacier or Yellowstone?

Which is better Yellowstone or Glacier?

Glacier is much more rugged than Yellowstone

. Hiking will demand much more physical ability and skill. The whole park is much higher than Yellowstone, so animals and plant life will be quite a bit different than what you find in Yellowstone.

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.

How long does it take to drive around Glacier National Park?

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is 51 miles long and runs from West Glacier to St. Mary. It takes approximately

2 hours

to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road without traffic or stops. However, plan to spend at least 4 to 5 hours exploring the scenic drive.

How crowded is Glacier National Park?

In the Summertime. May through September is the busiest part of the year, with

about three million people visiting during each summer season

. The parking areas at popular destinations, like Logan Pass and Avalanche Creek, begin filling before sunrise and remain congested for most of the day.

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!

Will many glaciers open in 2021?


The Many Glacier Valley will be closed to all access until May 28, 2021

, and will close for the season on September 17. Park road reconstruction will also extend for approximately 5.25 miles up Camas Road, beginning just past the Apgar Visitor Center.

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.

Why is east side of 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

.

Is Glacier National Park open in December?


Glacier National Park is open all year

, but there will be some parts of the park that you won’t be able to access during the winter. Some of these include the ever-so-popular Going-to-the-Sun road and Logan Pass, as well as access to some trailheads.

Why is St Mary campground closed in Glacier National Park?

–The St. Mary Campground, located on the east side of the park, is closed temporarily.

The campground has seen a recent increase in bear activity, creating a high potential for negative human/bear interactions

.

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.
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