Glacier NP Reservations Guide 2026: Shuttles, Camping & What Changed
Glacier National Park eliminated all vehicle reservations for 2026 — but shuttles now require paid tickets booked on Recreation.gov. Here’s exactly what to reserve, in what order, before your trip.
The biggest shift: the free hop-on shuttle system is gone. Tickets cost $1/person and sell out fast. Book shuttles first, campgrounds second, lodges third.
- No vehicle reservations anywhere in 2026 — GTSR, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and North Fork are open access.
- Shuttles are now ticketed ($1 processing fee per person) via Recreation.gov — no longer free or walk-on.
- Shuttle tickets open 60 days in advance (May 2, 2026) and next-day at 7 p.m. MT (June 30, 2026 onward).
- 7 campgrounds require Recreation.gov reservations; 6 are first-come, first-served.
- Lodge bookings open 13 months in advance — Many Glacier Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge sell out in hours.
- Backcountry permits: lottery opens March 15; general sale May 1. Cost: $10 application + $7/person/night.
- Logan Pass has a 3-hour parking limit (July 1 onward). No reservation — plan to arrive early or take the shuttle.
Step 1: Book Shuttle Tickets (Biggest 2026 Change)
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The free walk-on shuttle system Glacier used in prior years is gone. In 2026, all park shuttles require pre-purchased tickets through Recreation.gov. The tickets cost just $1 per person as a processing fee, but availability is genuinely limited — sell-outs are expected on peak summer days.
How to book: Go to Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777. Select your shuttle date and route. Per NPS.gov, the 60-day advance booking window opens May 2, 2026 at 8 a.m. MT.
2026 shuttle routes (express only): West side runs from Apgar Visitor Center → Lake McDonald Lodge → Logan Pass. East side runs from St. Mary Visitor Center → Rising Sun → Logan Pass. Transfer between routes at Logan Pass.
Next-day tickets: Starting June 30, 2026, a same-day window opens nightly at 7 p.m. MT for the following day. This is your safety net if you miss the 60-day window — check back each evening during your trip.
Who is exempt: Children under age 2 ride free. Backcountry permit holders and Granite Park Chalet guests have reserved shuttle access.
Step 2: Reserve Your Campsite
Glacier has 13 campgrounds. Seven require reservations; six are first-come, first-served. All reservations go through Recreation.gov.
Reservation campgrounds (7): Apgar, Avalanche, Fish Creek, Many Glacier, Sprague Creek, St. Mary, and Two Medicine. Peak-season 2026 sites opened January 2, 2026 on a 6-month rolling calendar. Many popular sites — especially Many Glacier — book out months in advance.
| Campground | Type | Max Vehicle Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apgar | Reservation | 40 ft (select sites) | Near west entrance, full facilities |
| Avalanche | Reservation | 21 ft | Near Trail of the Cedars |
| Fish Creek | Reservation | 35 ft | Lakeside, popular with families |
| Many Glacier | Reservation | 35 ft | Sells out fastest; book day-one |
| Sprague Creek | Reservation | 21 ft (no towed units) | Lakeside, no generators allowed |
| St. Mary | Reservation* | 35 ft | *Walk-up only Aug 17–Sep 11 |
| Two Medicine | Reservation | 32 ft | East side, quieter crowds |
| Bowman Lake | First-Come | 21 ft | North Fork, dirt road access |
| Cut Bank | First-Come | 21 ft | Primitive, no generators |
| Kintla Lake | First-Come | 21 ft | Remote North Fork |
| Rising Sun | First-Come | 25 ft | East side, walk-up only |
| Logging Creek | First-Come | 21 ft | North Fork, primitive |
| Quartz Creek | First-Come | 21 ft | Very remote, high-clearance advised |
Cost: Per NPS.gov, nightly rates run approximately $15–$30/night depending on campground and season. Confirm 2026 rates on Recreation.gov when booking.
St. Mary exception: From August 17 to September 11, St. Mary Campground shifts to walk-up only — reservations must be made the same day you arrive. This is a quieter window to visit without advance planning.
Didn’t get a reservation? Show up at first-come campgrounds by 10 a.m. — that’s when overnight departures clear. Rising Sun, Bowman Lake, and Cut Bank are your best bets for walk-up availability mid-week.
Step 3: Book a Lodge
Glacier’s in-park lodges are operated by Pursuit (Glacier National Park Lodges). Reservations open up to 13 months in advance, with the monthly window opening on the 1st of each month at midnight MT for the corresponding month of the following year.
How to book: Online at glaciernationalparklodges.com or by phone at 855-733-4522 (daily 7 a.m.–7 p.m. MT).
| Property | Location | Approx. Open Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake McDonald Lodge | West side | May 15 – Sep 28, 2026 | Historic NPS lodge, 82 rooms + cabins |
| Many Glacier Hotel | East side (Many Glacier) | June – September | Sells out fastest; set a midnight calendar reminder |
| Swiftcurrent Motor Inn | Many Glacier area | June – September | Motel-style rooms and cabins, good value |
| Rising Sun Motor Inn | East side (St. Mary) | June – September | Convenient for east-side hiking |
| Village Inn at Apgar | West entrance | May – October | Lake views, close to Apgar Visitor Center |
| Glacier Park Lodge | East Glacier | June – September | Gateway town, outside park boundary |
Deposit: First night’s rate charged at booking. Children 11 and under stay free with a paying adult. Extra adults: $15/night. No pets allowed (service animals permitted).
Step 4: Get a Backcountry Permit (If Applicable)
Backcountry camping in Glacier‘s designated wilderness sites requires a permit year-round. Skip this step if you’re camping only in developed campgrounds or day-hiking.
Cost: $10 non-refundable application fee + $7/person/night camping fee. Per NPS.gov, cancellations made 7+ days before the trip receive a full camping fee refund.
Three ways to get a permit:
| Method | When | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Large group lottery | Apply March 1, 2026 only (midnight–11:59 p.m. MT) | Groups of 9–12 people |
| Standard lottery | Apply March 15, 2026; booking window March 21–April 30 | Groups of 1–8 people; 3,000 reservations |
| General rolling sale | May 1, 2026 at 8 a.m. MT onward | Anyone; first-come, online |
Walk-up permits: About 30% of backcountry sites are reserved for walk-up permits, distributed at ranger stations. Show up early — stations typically open at 8 a.m. and lines form before that in peak season.
Booking: Online at Recreation.gov permit #4675321 or call 877-444-6777. Maximum itinerary: 16 miles per day.
Step 5: Buy Your Entrance Pass
No reservation needed for park entry. Pay the entrance fee at the gate or buy in advance at store.usgs.gov. Per NPS.gov, current entrance fees are:
| Pass Type | Cost | Valid |
|---|---|---|
| Private Vehicle | $35 | 7 consecutive days |
| Motorcycle | $30 | 7 consecutive days |
| Per Person (walk-in/bike) | $20 | 7 consecutive days |
| America the Beautiful Annual Pass | $80 | 1 year, all federal sites |
| Senior Pass (lifetime, 62+) | $80 | Lifetime |
| Military / Every Kid Outdoors | Free | Varies |
The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) pays for itself in 3 visits and covers Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and 2,000+ other federal sites. Best value for anyone visiting more than one national park in a year.
Step 6: Plan for Logan Pass (No Reservation, Time Limits Apply)
Logan Pass no longer requires a vehicle reservation — but as of July 1, 2026, private vehicles are subject to a 3-hour maximum parking limit, per NPS.gov. Overnight parking is prohibited except for backcountry permit holders and Granite Park Chalet guests.
Logan Pass fills by 9–10 a.m. on peak July/August days. The 3-hour limit is designed to create faster turnover — mid-morning arrivals (9:30–11 a.m.) may find openings as early visitors depart. Rangers can divert traffic during high congestion.
What Changed in 2026 vs. 2025
Glacier made major operational changes for 2026. If you visited in 2024 or 2025, the system is substantially different. Here’s the complete comparison, per the 2026 Summer Operations announcement — NPS.gov:
| Topic | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| GTSR vehicle reservations | Required 6 a.m.–3 p.m. peak season ($2 fee) | Eliminated entirely |
| Many Glacier / Two Medicine / North Fork | Vehicle reservations required | Eliminated |
| Logan Pass parking | No time limit | 3-hour maximum limit (July 1+) |
| Park shuttles | Free, board at any stop | Ticketed ($1/person), express routes, Recreation.gov required |
| Avalanche Creek shuttle stop | Served by shuttle | Not served in 2026 |
| Shuttle booking | Not applicable (walk-on) | 60-day advance (May 2); next-day at 7 p.m. (June 30 onward) |
FAQ
Do I need a reservation to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road in 2026?
Are Glacier National Park shuttles still free in 2026?
How far in advance can I book Glacier campgrounds?
When do Glacier National Park lodges open for 2026?
What is the entrance fee for Glacier National Park in 2026?
Can I get a backcountry permit without winning the lottery?
How We Researched This Guide
- NPS.gov Glacier — 2026 Summer Operations announcement, vehicle-reservations2026, visiting-glacier-2026, shuttle info, campground reservations, first-come campgrounds, camping information, backcountry reservations, fees pages
- Recreation.gov — Glacier campground gateway, wilderness permit #4675321
- GlacierNationalParkLodges.com — 2026 lodge open dates and reservation policies
- GlacierParkCollection.com — gateway lodging properties
Full shuttle schedule (exact times, frequency) was listed as “available soon” on NPS.gov as of February 2026. Confirm updated details at nps.gov/glac before your trip. Campground nightly rates reflect 2025 figures; verify 2026 rates on Recreation.gov when booking.
Ready to plan your Glacier trip? Start with shuttle tickets on Recreation.gov, then lock in your campsite or lodge.
