Glacier National Park Trip Cost 2026: Real Prices and Trip Planner
Last updated September 24, 2026 How we research
Glacier's real, sourced prices for park entry, campgrounds and tours, plus a planner for the costs only you can quote: lodging, flights, rental car and food.
Park entry
Fixed| Entry type | Summer | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle, 7 days | $35 | $25 |
| Motorcycle | $30 | $20 |
| On foot or by bicycle, per person | $20 | $15 |
Winter rates apply November 1 through April 30.
The one cost every trip has - and it's fixed.
- The America the Beautiful pass is $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for non-residents.
- U.S. seniors 62+ can buy a Senior Annual Pass for $20.
- 2026 fee-free dates for U.S. citizens and residents: February 16, May 25, June 14, July 3–5, August 25, September 17, October 27 and November 11.
A private vehicle pass is $35 for 7 days in summer; winter rates from November 1 through April 30 are $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle and $15 per person.
Non-U.S. residents age 16 and older pay an additional $100 per person unless admitted with a Glacier annual pass or America the Beautiful pass. No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
Where you sleep
Varies most| Where | Price |
|---|---|
| Apgar Campground (in the park), peak | $30 per site per night |
| Apgar Campground, non-peak | $20 per site per night |
| Big Creek or Emery Bay (national forest) | $22 per site per night |
| Lost Johnny (national forest) | $18 per site per night |
| Backcountry | $10 permit + $7 per person per night |
The biggest swing in any Glacier budget.
- In-park lodges and gateway hotels: check live rates in the planner above.
Camping is the only lodging with fixed, published prices. Apgar Campground inside the park is $30 per site per night in peak season (April 19 to September 29, 2026) and $20 in the non-peak season; walk-to sites are $8 per person.
Outside the park, the Forest Service's Big Creek and Emery Bay campgrounds are $22 per site per night and Lost Johnny is $18. Backcountry camping costs a $10 permit fee plus $7 per person per night. Recreation.gov adds an $8 fee to online reservations.
Lodges, hotels and rentals price by date and demand. Use the planner's links to check live rates for your dates, then enter the nightly rate you find.
Getting there and around
Your quotesFly into Kalispell or drive in; the park roads cost nothing extra.
- Missoula's airport is about 133 miles from the West Entrance by road.
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) near Kalispell is about 25 miles from the West Entrance. By road, Kalispell to the West Entrance is about 33 miles (around 35 minutes) and Whitefish is about 27 miles (around 30 minutes).
Airfare and rental cars change by date, so enter your own quotes in the planner. Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road costs nothing beyond park entry.
Food
Your estimateThe easiest place to save.
- Bring a cooler and a camp stove if you're camping.
Food prices change too often to publish honestly, so the planner takes your own daily estimate.
Stocking up on groceries in Columbia Falls or Whitefish before you enter the park and cooking at camp keeps this line small.
Things to do
Fixed prices| Tour | Adult | Child (4-12) |
|---|---|---|
| Two Medicine boat tour | $20.85 | $10.40 |
| Lake McDonald boat tour | $27.80 | $13.90 |
| Many Glacier boat tour | $41.70 | $20.85 |
| Red Bus tours | $64–$138 | $32–$69 |
| Half-day scenic float (Wild River Adventures) | $81 | $61 |
Hiking is free; tours have fixed prices.
- Swan Mountain's horseback rides run $110 for 1 hour to $450 for a full day.
- Blackfeet Tours' rides near East Glacier are $250–$475 per person.
Glacier has over 700 miles of trails, and hiking and ranger programs cost nothing beyond park entry. Paid tours publish their prices:
How to keep it cheap
ProvenFour moves that are backed by real prices.
- Camp: an $18-$30 campsite is the cheapest roof in or near the park.
- Visiting 3 or more fee parks this year? The $80 annual pass beats three $35 vehicle passes.
- Plan around the 2026 fee-free dates listed above.
- Spend your days on free trails and ranger programs; save paid tours for one highlight.
Common Questions
How much does it cost to enter Glacier National Park?
A private vehicle pass is $35 for 7 days in summer and $25 in winter (November 1 through April 30). Non-U.S. residents age 16 and older pay an additional $100 per person unless they hold a qualifying pass.
How much does camping in Glacier cost?
Apgar Campground is $30 per site per night in peak season and $20 in the non-peak season. Nearby Forest Service campgrounds like Big Creek and Emery Bay are $22.
How much are boat tours in Glacier?
Adult fares are $20.85 at Two Medicine, $27.80 at Lake McDonald and $41.70 at Many Glacier; children 4-12 pay about half.
Why doesn't this page list hotel, flight or food prices?
They change by date and demand, so any number we printed would be a guess. The planner links to live rates; enter what you find and it adds everything up.
Is the America the Beautiful pass worth it for Glacier?
If you'll visit three or more fee-charging parks in a year, yes: the $80 pass costs less than three $35 vehicle passes.
Sources & Further Reading
- Entrance Fees — National Park Service — NPS
- Glacier National Park 2026 Visitor Information — NPS — NPS
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass — NPS — NPS
- Recreation.gov — Glacier Campgrounds & Shuttles — Recreation.gov
- Fee-Free Park Days — NPS — NPS
- Logan Pass Shuttle Service 2026 — National Park Service — NPS
- Visiting Logan Pass in 2026 — National Park Service — NPS
- Camping Information — National Park Service — NPS
- How Do I Get a Wilderness Permit? — National Park Service — NPS
- Glacier National Park Lodges — Glacier National Park Lodges
- Glacier Park Boat Company — Glacier Park Boat Company
- Swan Mountain Outfitters — Swan Mountain Outfitters
- Amtrak — Empire Builder — Amtrak
- Apgar Campground - Recreation.gov — Recreation.gov
- Tour pricing - Glacier Park Boat Company — Glacier Park Boat Company
- Red Bus Tours - Glacier National Park Lodges — Xanterra
- Rates and trips - Swan Mountain Outfitters — Swan Mountain Outfitters
