Things to Do in Glacier National Park When Going-to-the-Sun Road Is Closed

Rangers lead 2-hour snowshoe treks every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 AM and 2 PM from the Apgar Visitor Center, January through late March. The walks cover wildlife tracking, winter survival strategies of local plants and animals, and snow science. No registration required — just show up, per NPS.gov.

From Lake McDonald Lodge (the winter road terminus), you can ski up the unplowed GTSR as far as conditions allow. Common turnaround points are McDonald Falls (4 miles round trip), Sacred Dancing Cascade (5.3 miles), or Avalanche Picnic Area (11.6 miles). The road is wide and the grade is gentle, making it ideal for Nordic skiing. No rentals are available inside the park — gear up in Whitefish or Columbia Falls, per NPS.gov.

The Autumn Creek Trail starts from the Marias Pass parking area on Highway 2, roughly 12 miles from East Glacier. The 6-mile round trip traverses meadows and forest along Glacier’s southern boundary with wide-open views of the peaks. Avalanche terrain exists along steeper sections, so check conditions before heading out. The trailhead is always plowed since Highway 2 never closes.

The unplowed GTSR beyond Lake McDonald Lodge is one of the best places in the park for wolf track spotting in fresh snow. Bighorn sheep descend to lower elevations along Highway 2, and mountain goats frequent the Goat Lick Overlook near Essex. Lake McDonald itself offers extraordinary photography when the water is still and mountain reflections are sharp. Bring binoculars and dress in layers — you may be standing still for extended periods.

Many Glacier is accessed via its own road off Highway 89 — completely independent of GTSR. From the west, drive US-2 east to Browning, then Highway 89 north to the turnoff (about 2 hours from West Glacier). Trails like Grinnell Glacier (11 miles RT), Iceberg Lake (9.6 miles RT), and Cracker Lake (12 miles RT) are among the most iconic in the park. Higher trails may still have snow into June, per NPS.gov.

Access Two Medicine from East Glacier Park via Highway 49. Top trails include Running Eagle Falls (0.6 mi, easy, paved), Aster Falls/Upper Two Medicine Lake (9 mi, moderate), and Scenic Point (9.6 mi, 2,300+ ft gain, one of the park’s best panoramas). Boat tours and the camp store operate May 29 through September 7 in 2026. The campground is closed all of 2026 for water system replacement, per NPS.gov.

Snow removal crews clear nearly 40 avalanche paths starting in early April. As sections are cleared, bicyclists and hikers can access the road before vehicle traffic is allowed — typically by April or May depending on conditions. The ride from Apgar to Avalanche Creek covers roughly 11 miles one-way with gentle elevation gain through old-growth cedar-hemlock forest along Lake McDonald.

Access the North Fork via County Road 486 from Columbia Falls — a dirt road that is infrequently plowed in winter (high-clearance vehicle recommended in shoulder season). Bowman Lake Trail (12 miles RT) passes through the 1988 burn zone with panoramic mountain views. Covey Meadow (3-mile loop) and Logging Lake Trail (7 miles RT) are easier options. The Polebridge Mercantile and Bakery open seasonally just outside the park.

The 56-mile drive from West Glacier to East Glacier follows the Middle Fork of the Flathead River through dramatic mountain scenery. Key stops include Goat Lick Overlook near Essex (mountain goats descend to lick mineral deposits in the cliffs), Marias Pass at 5,222 feet (lowest Continental Divide crossing in the US Rockies), and multiple river access points for fly-fishing and rafting. Several outfitters in West Glacier and Essex offer guided trips during spring and summer runoff.

The West Glacier entrance opens to Lake McDonald Lodge (11 miles) year-round, weather permitting. Apgar Visitor Center operates on limited winter hours and serves as the anchor for all off-season activities including snowshoe rentals. The village sits at the southwestern tip of Lake McDonald. Short trails nearby include Lower McDonald Creek (2–3 miles, easy), Beaver Pond Loop (3 miles), and Rocky Point (6 miles RT with lake views).

Goat Lick Overlook sits on Highway 2 near Essex. Mountain goats visit the exposed mineral deposits on the cliff face, and sightings are most frequent from late spring through fall. The viewing platform is a short, paved walk from the parking area and is accessible to visitors of all abilities. Even without goat sightings, the cliff face and river views are worth the stop.

Multiple pullouts along Highway 2 provide access to fly-fishing pools, whitewater kayaking put-ins, and scenic float launch points. Guided raft trips operate from West Glacier and Essex during spring and summer runoff season (May through September). A Montana fishing license is required — available at sporting goods stores in Whitefish and Columbia Falls or online at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.