Glacier National Park: Visitor Guide, Fees & Tips (2026)

Sunlit valley with a lake, evergreen trees, and towering glacier-carved peaks in Glacier National Park

A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking a landscape steeped in human culture. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Plan your visit

Best Time To Visit: Most favorable conditions occur July through September, when weather is stable, roads like the Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road are open, and trails are accessible

Highlights

Why Visit: Glacier National Park spans vast alpine terrain and glacier-carved valleys, revealing geological time at scale. Its expanse demands disciplined use and long-term stewardship; changes in glaciers and weather underscore the need for responsible travel. Visitors must stay on established trails, pack out waste, and follow access rules to keep this landscape resilient for generations.
Top Things To Do: Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road; use the shuttle along the GTTS corridor; visit Many Glacier; explore Lake McDonald and Apgar area

Areas to plan around

West Side: Apgar Visitor Center; GTTS Road access; Lake McDonald area; shuttle hub; public WiFi at Apgar
East Side: St. Mary Visitor Center; Two Medicine; access to Many Glacier area
Logan Pass & GTTS Hub: Logan Pass summit; central alpine zone; transfer point for GTTS Road
Gateway Access & Park Entrances: West Glacier entry; St. Mary entry; shuttle connections across sectors

Getting there & around

Getting There Airports: Glacier Park Intl (FCA) in Kalispell, 25 mi from West Entrance; Missoula Intl (MSO), 150 mi south
Getting There Driving Distances: Kalispell 30 mi; Missoula 150 mi; Great Falls 200 mi; Spokane 280 mi; Calgary 200 mi
Getting There Entrances: West side entry via Going-to-the-Sun Road; East side via St. Mary and Two Medicine
Getting Around Shuttles: Shuttle operates along GTTS Road; transfers at Logan Pass; wheelchair accessible
Getting Around Reservations: No vehicle reservation is required for Going-to-the-Sun Road in 2026 (the reservation system was retired). Logan Pass has a 3-hour parking limit July 1 – Sept 7, 2026, and the Logan Pass Shuttle requires a per-person ticket from Recreation.gov (60-day rolling release; next-day tickets at 7 p.m. MDT).
Getting Around Parking: Parking limited; arrive early; Lake McDonald Lodge parking limited; consider Apgar Visitor Center parking and use the shuttle

Where to stay

Where To Stay Inpark Lodging: In-park options include lodging around Lake McDonald; Lake McDonald Lodge area is the reference point; plan early for parking constraints
Where To Stay Campgrounds: Bowman Lake (up to 21 ft); Cut Bank (up to 21 ft); Kintla Lake (up to 21 ft); Quartz Creek (up to 21 ft); Sprague Creek (up to 21 ft); Rising Sun (up to 21 ft); Many Glacier (up to 35 ft); Apgar (up to 40 ft); St. Mary (up to 40 ft)
Where To Stay Gateway Towns: West Glacier and St. Mary serve as park gateways; Kalispell/Whitefish offer broader services nearby.

Safety & wildlife

Safety Bear Country: Bear country; carry spray; food storage enforced; fines apply
Safety Weather: Snow possible any month; afternoon lightning risk
Safety Altitude: Altitude sickness risk at higher elevations.
Safety Leave No Trace: Pack it out. Stay on trail.
Safety Permits Needed: Backcountry permits mandatory; wilderness permits handled at visitor centers
Wildlife Overview: Bears present; large mammal activity; wildlife should be observed from a distance
Wildlife Where To See: Many Glacier corridor and Logan Pass area are reliable for wildlife watching from a safe distance.
Wildlife Safety: Observe from a distance; do not feed wildlife; follow bear safety protocols

Trip strategy

Itinerary Strategy: Day 1: GTTS Road West to East. Day 2: Many Glacier early access. Day 3: Two Medicine
Entrance Hacks: No vehicle reservation is needed in 2026 — that system was retired. The pinch point is now Logan Pass parking: a 3-hour limit is enforced July 1–Sept 7, 2026, and midday lots still fill. Arrive before 8 a.m., or ride the ticketed Logan Pass Shuttle (Recreation.gov).
Basecamp Logic: WEST SIDE centers around Apgar and Lake McDonald with GTTS Road access; EAST SIDE centers on St. Mary and Two Medicine with access to Many Glacier via shuttle; Logan Pass sits at the central hub requiring planning for parking and transfers
Crowd Calendar: July is peak mosquitoes and wildflowers; September is crowd-free but chilly; June is often too snowy for the full road
Tips Advice: Vehicle reservations are not required anywhere in Glacier National Park in 2026.
Tickets are required for each person using the Logan Pass Shuttle; tickets are sold on Recreation.gov in a 60-day rolling release, with remaining next-day tickets released at 7 p.m. MDT.
Private-vehicle parking at Logan Pass is limited to 3 hours from July 1 through September 7, 2026.
Arrive early, check current road status, and use the ticketed shuttle for longer Logan Pass hikes.

More details

Park Code: glac
Tagline: Crown of the Continent
Operating Hours: Monday: Open 24 hours Tuesday: Open 24 hours Wednesday: Open 24 hours Thursday: Open 24 hours Friday: Open 24 hours Saturday: Open 24 hours Sunday: Open 24 hours
Entrance Fee: $35.00 - Entrance - Private Vehicle
Quick Facts Entrance Fees: $35/vehicle (7 days); $30/motorcycle; $20/person on foot or bike; children 15 and under free; America the Beautiful Pass accepted. 2026 non-resident surcharge: $100/person ages 16+ for non-US residents (annual pass available for $250).
Nearby Services: Gas and medical services near park entrances
Family Friendly Notes: Family-friendly options include Lake McDonald area, Trail of the Cedars boardwalk, and boat tours on Swiftcurrent Lake. Shorter hikes like Avalanche Lake or Hidden Lake Overlook are suitable for kids with supervision. Junior Ranger programs are offered at the park; check seasonal availability. Start early and plan for breaks.
Accessibility: ADA: Shuttle along GTTS Road is wheelchair-accessible; WiFi available at Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Centers; some trails and facilities are wheelchair-accessible
Photography Tips: Position yourself for sunrise at Lake McDonald or Logan Pass viewpoints; keep traffic clear and yield to hikers at overlooks.
When To Visit Peak Season: July is peak mosquitoes and wildflowers
When To Visit Shoulder Season: September is crowd-free but chilly
When To Visit Winter: Roads often closed; winter access limited; self-sufficiency required
When To Visit Road Opening: GTTS Road fully opens by late June/early July; alpine sections closed mid-October to mid-June; most roads open by late May; Logan Pass may be restricted until road opening
Wildlife Bear Spray Rentals: Bear spray rentals available at select outlets.
Weather Averages: Summer highs 70-80F, lows 40-50F; Winter highs 20-30F, lows near 0F; 100+ inches of snow annually on west side
Weather Precipitation: Winter snowfall is significant; summer features occasional thunderstorms
Weather Info: Glacier's weather is highly variable and can be extreme. Expect warm, sunny summer days but be ready for any type of conditions. In the winter, temperatures can fall well below freezing and typically the park receives considerable amounts of snow. Glacier's geography, straddling the Continental Divide, sets the stage for clashes of two very different climates. Warm, wet Pacific air moves in from the west, and cold, dry Arctic air flows from the northeast. They meet at the Divide.
What To Bring Essential Gear: Bear spray; layers; water
What To Bring Clothing: No cotton; wool/synthetic fabrics
Annual Visitors: 2.95 million (2023)
Size Acres: 1,013,322 acres (4,101 km2)
Established Date: 1910-05-11
Year Established: 1910
Review Summary: Expect seasonal service variations and crowded conditions in peak months; reservations and the shuttle system help manage access; parking fills quickly in the most popular areas. Plan ahead and stick to the GTTS Road schedule to maximize time on the route.

Location

Photos

Jagged peaks rise out of a forested valley and an empty road curves off into the distance.

black and white picture of people standing near an ice cave in a glacier

a black and white landscape of a big glacier and mountains

A small, brown and white structure sits on a rocky top with mountain peaks in the distance.

Grinnell Glacier from Upper Grinnell Ridge in 2021

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road?

No — Glacier eliminated vehicle reservations for 2026; Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork are open access. Plan around Logan Pass instead: a 3-hour parking limit runs July 1–September 7, 2026, and the Logan Pass Shuttle requires a per-person ticket from Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed on trails?

Pets are allowed only in developed areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, along roads, and in parking lots; not permitted on park trails or in backcountry; leash must be no longer than 6 feet; clean up after pets.