Travel Updates
The Official Western Montana Travel & Tourism Blog
VISITING GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Vehicle Reservations
- In 2024, a vehicle reservation is required for three areas of the park: the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, the North Fork and Many Glacier Valley. Each location has unique details and requires a separate reservation.
- The west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork areas require a vehicle reservation from May 24 through September 8, 2024, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Many Glacier Valley requires a vehicle reservation from July 1 through September 8, 2024, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- New this year, the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road does not require a vehicle reservation.
- Vehicle reservations are currently available on a 120-day, in-advance, rolling basis.
- Next day vehicle reservations will be available at 7 p.m. MDT for the next day’s entry starting on May 23, 2024, and continuing on a daily rolling basis.
- Vehicle reservations must be purchased online at recreation.gov in advance or by contacting the call center at 877.444.6777 (toll-free), 606.515.6777 (international) or 877.833.6777 (TDD).
- Learn more about the vehicle reservation system here.
Going-to-the-Sun Road Status
- The Going-to-the-Sun Road is open for the season.
Construction Delays + Closures
- North Lake McDonald Road will be closed for the entire 2024 season at the Going-to-the-Sun Road intersection. There will be no public access, including vehicles, hiking or biking and no parking beyond or in the vicinity of the intersection.
- Starting September 16, 2024, the road past Many Glacier Hotel at the T-intersection will be closed due to construction. Trail access will be allowed, but visitors will need to park in the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot, walk to the closure point and use the horse trail. For access to Grinnell and Lake Josephine trails, start from the South Shore Trailhead at the south end of Many Glacier Hotel.
- Primitive camping at Many Glacier Campground will not be available in Fall 2024.
- Read more about construction delays and closures here.
Current Operations
- Most front-country campgrounds will operate under a reservation system in 2024. Campground reservations can be made on recreation.gov. Most campsites are reservable approximately six months in advance and several campsites in each campground can be reserved four days in advance to accommodate visitors with more spontaneous itineraries. Read more here.
- Visitors who plan to use a private boat will need to report to an AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) inspection station. Read more here.
- Buy your national park entrance pass in advance here.
HOOT OWL RESTRICTIONS
Parts of Western Montana are experiencing ongoing drought conditions. In these areas fishing closures and hoot owl restrictions may be implemented to minimize environmental impact. The Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction prohibits fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight daily, aiming to protect vulnerable fish populations. Read more, and find affected locations, here.
RECREATE RESPONSIBLY
Know before you go. Plan ahead and be prepared, ensuring safer, more enjoyable travels and less impact.
Play it safe. Pack the right gear, take precautions, know your limits, and engage in activities that match your skill level.
Explore mindfully. Be thoughtful about and aware of your impact, embrace inclusivity, and respect communities and fellow adventurers.
Leave no trace. Respect all public lands, waters, tribal lands and local communities. Pack it in, pack it out.
Tread lightly. Take care of our trails and waterways by riding responsibly specific to your motorized activity.
Keep our waters clean. Help prevent aquatic invasive species by following Clean.Drain.Dry. principles and watercraft inspections requirements.
Be wildlife wise. View wildlife from a safe distance. Never approach, touch or feed wildlife. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Respect tribal lands. Recognize and acknowledge when you enter tribal lands, know tribal guidelines, and secure a tribal conservation permits for recreation.
Follow fire safety. Help prevent wildland fires. Attend to and extinguish campfires properly, and know current fire restrictions.
Read more about recreating responsibly here.
TRAVEL ON TRIBAL LANDS
Please be aware of when you are traveling on tribal lands. It’s important to be mindful and respectful of a tribe’s unique culture, history and traditions. It’s also important to “know before you go” in terms of recreation permits and policies that may be different from Montana law. Read more about respectful travel on Tribal Lands here.
Recreation + Permits: When recreating on tribal lands, note that tribal conservation and fishing permits are required. Some areas are restricted to tribal use (enrolled tribal members) only; please be respectful.
- Recreation and permit information for the Blackfeet Reservation
- Recreation and permit information for the Flathead Reservation