Draft guide. The official facts below are researched and sourced. Our firsthand sections (campground verdicts, scores, tips) are still being written from our trip notes. Firsthand words so far: 0/150, scores pending.
Our visit
- When did you visit Glacier (month/year), how many nights, and was it tent, trailer or no camping?
- One or two sentences: what kind of trip was it, and who is this park perfect for?
Status
Is Glacier open right now?
Open, 1 alert as of Oct 29, 2026 (from active NPS alerts; updated daily)
- InformationGoing-to-the-Sun Road is Open for 2026 Season The Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open for the 2026 summer season. The road may now be accessed by motorized vehicles over Logan Pass from both the West Glacier and St. Mary Entrances. details
This is our daily read of the official alerts, not an official status. Confirm on nps.gov current conditions before you drive.
What changed for 2026
Entry: No. NPS: 'Vehicle reservations will not be required anywhere in the park in 2026.' This covers Going-to-the-Sun Road, North Fork, Many Glacier and Two Medicine. Instead, the park piloted a ticketed-only Logan Pass shuttle and a 3-hour parking limit at Logan Pass (Jul 1–Sep 7, 2026). Vehicles may be temporarily diverted when an area reaches capacity. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
Fees: Private vehicle $35 (or $25 from Nov 1 to Apr 30), valid 7 days. Motorcycle $30 ($20 Nov 1–Apr 30). Per person on foot or bicycle $20 ($15 Nov 1–Apr 30). Children under 16 free. Glacier Annual Pass $70. Non-US residents aged 16 and older pay a $100 nonresident fee on top of the entrance fee unless they hold an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. The park does not accept cash. 2026 fee-free days for US citizens and residents: Feb 16, May 25, Jun 14, Jul 3–5, Aug 25, Sep 17, Oct 27, Nov 11.
- No vehicle reservations in 2026. Vehicle reservations will not be required anywhere in the park in 2026. This is a change from the previous vehicle reservation system for Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork. Visitors may be temporarily diverted when areas reach capacity. Last verified 2026-10-28 · Glacier National Park Announces 2026 Summer Operations (Feb 18, 2026)
- Logan Pass 3-hour parking limit. From July 1 through Labor Day (Sep 7, 2026), private vehicles at Logan Pass were limited to 3 hours, enforced 24 hours a day. Drivers must take a free timestamped permit from the kiosk and display it on the dashboard. Overnight parking is prohibited except for backcountry permit holders and Granite Park Chalet guests. Last verified 2026-10-28 · Visiting Logan Pass in 2026
- Ticketed-only Logan Pass shuttle. The 2026 pilot required a ticket on Recreation.gov for every rider aged 2 and older ($1 non-refundable processing fee). Shuttles ran July 1–September 7 from Apgar Transit Center and Lake McDonald Lodge (west) and from St. Mary Visitor Center and Rising Sun (east). Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars were not served by park shuttle in 2026. Last verified 2026-10-28 · Glacier National Park Announces 2026 Summer Operations
- Two Medicine Campground closed all of 2026. Two Medicine Campground is closed in 2026 for water system replacement. Two Medicine Road closed at Running Eagle Falls Trailhead starting Sep 8, 2026. Road rehabilitation is scheduled for completion in late 2027. Last verified 2026-10-28 · Road Construction and Infrastructure Project Work
- Logging Creek Campground closed in 2026; Kintla wilderness campground closure. NPS campground data lists Logging Creek Campground as closed for the 2026 season. The Kintla Lake wilderness campground was closed from late July through late August during construction, while the Kintla Lake frontcountry campground stayed open. Last verified 2026-10-28 · Road Construction and Infrastructure Project Work
- Inside North Fork Road closure. Starting October 2026, the Inside North Fork Road is fully closed to all traffic from Polebridge Ranger Station to Logging Creek. Last verified 2026-10-28 · Road Construction and Infrastructure Project Work
- St. Mary water system construction. Water distribution system replacement from fall 2026 through spring 2027 is expected to cause partial closures at St. Mary Campground and around the visitor center. Last verified 2026-10-28 · Road Construction and Infrastructure Project Work
- Watercraft inspection and launch permit. All watercraft must pass an aquatic invasive species inspection ('clean, drained, and dry') and get a free launch permit before launching, with proof of a PFD for each boater. Trailered gas-powered boats need inspection and a 30-day quarantine, and private gas motors are allowed only on Lake McDonald, St. Mary, Two Medicine and Bowman lakes. Last verified 2026-10-28 · Boating
When to go
Official data, not firsthand- Spring: Plowing can take two to four months. By late May most roads are open except Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass, which is open only to hikers and bicyclists from early May until it opens to vehicles in late June or early July. Rainy, cool days are common even in June. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Summer: The main season runs from late May through September, and July and August are the busiest months. July and August bring hot days and cool nights, and west-side highs can exceed 90°F. Logan Pass typically opens to vehicles between mid-June and early July. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Summer: In 2026, Logan Pass parking was limited to 3 hours from July 1 through Labor Day (Sep 7). A ticketed-only shuttle ran July 1–September 7, and no vehicle reservations were required. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Fall: Fall is less crowded and wildlife is more active. Trees turn by mid-September and western larch turns yellow in mid-October. Going-to-the-Sun Road is typically fully open until the third Monday in October. Many Glacier Road closes around the third weekend in November, weather permitting. Snow can fall at low elevations as early as mid-September. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Fall: In fall 2026, Two Medicine Road closed at Running Eagle Falls Trailhead starting September 8, with the closure moving to the Highway 49 junction in mid- to late September. A full closure of the Inside North Fork Road (Polebridge Ranger Station to Logging Creek) began in October 2026. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Winter: Most of the park lies under several feet of snow, and most services are closed from early October through late May. Going-to-the-Sun Road is open from West Glacier to Avalanche Creek through mid-December, then only to Lake McDonald Lodge. Apgar Campground Loop B offers free first-come, first-served primitive camping from November 1. There is no lodging or gas in the park. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Overall: Peak access to high-elevation areas is roughly July through mid-October, when Going-to-the-Sun Road is typically fully open. Entrance fees drop from November 1 to April 30. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- What month would you go back to Glacier, and why?
Is one extra day worth it?
- How many days did you spend in Glacier? What would one extra day buy you (a hike, a sunrise, an area), or would you spend that night at another park instead?
Camping in Glacier
Each campground shows the official details (Official data, not firsthand) and, where we stayed, our “We Camped Here” verdict.
Apgar Campground
Apgar / Lake McDonald (west side)
Official data, not firsthandGenerators allowed 8–10 am, noon–2 pm and 5–7 pm. Quiet hours 10 pm–6 am. Hiker/biker sites $8 per person via Scan & Pay. In winter there is no running water and only vault toilets.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Avalanche Campground
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Avalanche Creek (west side)
Official data, not firsthandIncludes 4 walk-to/boat-to sites. Generators allowed during posted hours. Avalanche was not served by the park shuttle in 2026.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Fish Creek Campground
North shore of Lake McDonald (west side)
Official data, not firsthandGenerators prohibited at all times in C Loop.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Sprague Creek Campground
Lake McDonald, Going-to-the-Sun Road (west side)
Official data, not firsthandGenerators prohibited at all sites. No towed units because of the road layout.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Rising Sun Campground
St. Mary Lake, Going-to-the-Sun Road (east side)
Official data, not firsthandGenerators prohibited at sites 49–84. Loops are one-way. Rising Sun is a 2026 east-side shuttle departure point.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
St. Mary Campground
St. Mary Entrance (east side)
Official data, not firsthandIncludes 2 group sites and 7 tent-only sites. Generators prohibited in A Loop.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Many Glacier Campground
Many Glacier (east side)
Official data, not firsthandGenerators prohibited at sites 48–59, 71 and 88–102.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Two Medicine Campground
Two Medicine (southeast)
Official data, not firsthandGenerators prohibited at sites 1–36. Closed in 2026 for water system replacement.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Bowman Lake Campground
North Fork
Official data, not firsthandReached by a narrow dirt road where three-point turns are difficult. Credit cards accepted. Check-out at noon.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Kintla Lake Campground
North Fork
Official data, not firsthandLong, narrow, winding dirt road. The frontcountry campground stayed open in 2026 while the Kintla Lake wilderness campground closed from late July to late August.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Logging Creek Campground
North Fork (Inside North Fork Road)
Official data, not firsthandClosed in 2026. Inside North Fork Road fully closed from Polebridge Ranger Station to Logging Creek starting October 2026.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Quartz Creek Campground
North Fork (Inside North Fork Road)
Official data, not firsthandPrimitive campground. Fee envelope goes in the fee tube within half an hour of choosing a site.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Cut Bank Campground
Cut Bank (east side)
Official data, not firsthandNo drinking water; bring your own. Generators prohibited at all sites.
Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.govWe Camped Here: our verdict
Awaiting David & Keri’s notes: did we camp here? If yes: best loops/sites, what rig really fits, our two scores (1–10), and “skip it if…”. If not, this will say “We hiked it, didn’t camp.”
Rig fit: RVs and travel trailers
Official data, not firsthand- Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle size limit: Limit 21 ft (6.4 m) long including bumpers, 8 ft (2.4 m) wide including mirrors, and 10 ft (3 m) tall. Vehicles over the length or width limit are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. Vehicles over 10 ft tall may have difficulty from Logan Pass west to the Loop because of rock overhangs. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Stock trucks and trailers on Going-to-the-Sun Road: Stock trucks and trailers can reach Packers Roost from the west and Siyeh Bend from the east. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Largest campground sites: Apgar: 25 sites up to 40 ft. St. Mary: 3 sites up to 40 ft and 22 up to 35 ft. Fish Creek: 18 up to 35 ft and 62 up to 27 ft. Many Glacier: 13 up to 35 ft. Two Medicine (closed 2026): 10 up to 35 ft. Avalanche: 50 up to 26 ft. Rising Sun: 21 ft maximum. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Small-rig-only campgrounds: At Bowman Lake, Cut Bank, Kintla Lake, Logging Creek, Quartz Creek and Sprague Creek, 'vehicle combinations longer than 21' are not allowed'. Sprague Creek allows no towed units. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- No hookups; generator hours: No utility hookups are provided, and connecting to water, sewer or electric is prohibited. Generators are allowed only 8–10 am, noon–2 pm and 5–7 pm, and are banned at Sprague Creek, Cut Bank and certain loops and sites. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- Boat trailers: Trailers may not be used to launch or recover watercraft. Trailered gas-powered boats need inspection and a 30-day quarantine. Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov
- What did you tow or drive here (trailer length + tow vehicle)? Any tight turns, grades, tunnels or lots to warn people about? Where did you leave the trailer while sightseeing?
Hike permits & lotteries
| Permit | How | When | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness (backcountry) camping permit – early access lotteries Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov | Apply on Recreation.gov. Large-group lottery (9–12 campers, 5 reservations awarded): applications Mar 1, 2026, notification Mar 3, booking due Mar 10. Standard-group lottery (1–8 campers, 3,000 reservations awarded): applications Mar 15, 2026, notification Mar 17, booking Mar 21 – Apr 30. | March 1 and March 15, 2026 application days | $10 non-refundable application fee; camping $7 per person per night (refundable if cancelled more than 7 days before the trip) |
| Wilderness camping permit – general on-sale Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov | First-come, first-served on Recreation.gov for standard groups only. Large groups cannot book here. | Opens May 1, 2026 at 8:00 MT for trips through Sep 30, 2026 | $10 non-refundable administrative fee plus $7 per person per night |
| Wilderness camping permit – walk-up Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov | About 30% of sites parkwide are held for walk-ups, issued at wilderness permit issuing stations in the park. Permits not picked up by 4:30 pm on the start date are cancelled. | Day before or day of trip start | $7 per person per night (plus permit fee) |
| Winter backcountry permit Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov | Reserve in advance by phone | Winter season | — |
| Logan Pass shuttle ticket (2026 pilot) Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov | Recreation.gov or 877-444-6777, first-come, first-served. A ticket is required for every rider aged 2 and older, and tickets are nontransferable and not sold in the park. | 60 days ahead on a rolling basis from May 2, 2026 at 8 am MDT; the rest released at 7 pm MDT for next-day rides from June 30; service ran Jul 1 – Sep 7, 2026 | $1 non-refundable processing fee per ticket |
| Boat launch permit / AIS inspection Last verified 2026-10-28 · nps.gov | Get a free launch permit after an aquatic invasive species inspection at Apgar, Polebridge, Many Glacier, St. Mary or Two Medicine stations. Proof of a PFD for each boater is required. | West of the Divide: second Sunday in May through Oct 31. East: last Saturday in May through Sat, Sep 26. | Free |
- Did you apply for any permits/lotteries here? What worked, and what would you tell a first-timer?
Where to stay & what to do in town
West Glacier, MT
At the West Entrance; 56 miles (about 1 hour) to East Glacier Park (NPS)
Gateway village at the West Entrance; NPS notes gas in West Glacier is credit card only, and there are no gas stations in the park.
Columbia Falls, MT
About 15 miles from the West Entrance (Glacier Park Collection)
Flathead Valley town on US Highway 2 with lodging, including Basecamp Lodge.
Kalispell, MT
About 33 miles to West Glacier via US Highway 2 (NPS)
Largest nearby city; Glacier Park International Airport is near Kalispell, about 30 miles west of the West Entrance.
St. Mary, MT
At the St. Mary Entrance (east end of Going-to-the-Sun Road); 20 miles to Many Glacier, 34 miles to Two Medicine (NPS)
East-side gateway village just outside the St. Mary Entrance, near the St. Mary Visitor Center.
Popular guided tours nearby
- Historic red bus tours of Going-to-the-Sun Road (Xanterra)
- Sun Tours interpretive bus tours highlighting Blackfeet culture
- Narrated boat tours on Lake McDonald, St. Mary Lake (Rising Sun), Many Glacier and Two Medicine
- Guided day hikes, backpacking trips and backcountry drop-camp service
- Whitewater and scenic raft trips on the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead River
- Guided horseback rides at Many Glacier, Lake McDonald and Apgar
- Glacier Institute field courses
- Where did you stay or eat outside the park that you would recommend (or avoid)? Any must-do in town?
David & Keri’s hot tips
- 5–10 quick tips only someone who has been there would know (parking, timing, a trail, a mistake to avoid).
What we’d do differently
Wrong entrance, wrong month, a missed shuttle, too few nights: the honest list.
- 1. …
- 2. …
- 3. …
Sources & corrections
All official facts on this page were last verified 2026-10-28 against the linked National Park Service and Recreation.gov pages. Park rules change; confirm before you go.
Where sources disagree
- The per-campground pages on nps.gov (reservation-campgrounds.htm and first-come-first-served-campgrounds.htm) load their details with JavaScript and returned empty when fetched. Site counts, fees, seasons, booking windows and dump-station values were taken from the NPS campground data feed (developer.nps.gov/api/v1/campgrounds?parkCode=glac) that fills those pages. Spot-check the live pages.
- Many Glacier: NPS data gives 109 campsites but 110 reservable sites.
- Two Medicine: NPS data gives 100 campsites but 101 reservable, and lists a winter closure date even though the campground is closed for all of 2026.
- Rising Sun: NPS data lists a '0-day booking window'. Recreation.gov shows a window of '0' days with a cutoff of 'Not Reservable'. The booking window is unclear.
- Sprague Creek: NPS data fields list a 0 ft RV/trailer maximum, while the description says the maximum vehicle length is 21 ft with no towed units.
- Cut Bank: NPS data says RVs are 'not recommended'; camping-information.htm says vehicle combinations over 21 ft are not allowed.
- Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake: NPS data lists a seasonal dump station at each, which is unusual for these primitive North Fork campgrounds; camping-information.htm does not list dump station locations.
- Apgar: the NPS data description says winter camping runs Nov 1 – Mar 31, but the 2026 primitive season is listed as Sep 30, 2026 – Apr 18, 2027. The November visiting page says Loop B primitive camping is free starting Nov 1.
- St. Mary: NPS campground data says it is closed to camping Jan 1 – Jun 30, 2027 for construction; projectwork.htm describes 'partial campground closures' from fall 2026 through spring 2027.
- Two Medicine Road: projectwork.htm (updated Sep 15, 2026) says rehabilitation completes in late 2027; another NPS page version and press reports say it may continue into 2028.
- Logan Pass: the 3-hour parking limit ran through Labor Day (Sep 7, 2026), but one NPS page said managers might extend the shuttle past Sep 7 if funding allowed.
- General campground fees: camping-information.htm says fees range $15–$30 per night in summer, while NPS data lists $30 for all reservation campgrounds.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road bicycle restriction dates (May 24 – Sep 8, 3–6 pm, Apgar turnoff to Logan Pass) come from gtsrinfo.htm, last updated Apr 19, 2024, and may not reflect 2026.
- hours.htm (seasons and road closure patterns) was last updated Sep 13, 2022. conditions.htm was last updated Jul 8, 2026 and gives no late-October road status.
- Current conditions
- Road, snow plow and hiker/biker status
- Trail status reports
- Road construction and infrastructure project work
- Fire information updates
- Weather
- Vehicle reservations (2026: not required)
- Official NPS site
Spot something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and log the correction. Photos: NPS Photo; NPS; NPS (NPS, public domain).