Glacier National Park Information

Glacier National Park Vehicle Reservations

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​Vehicle Reservations - Make sure to research the requirements around the Vehicle Reservations for Glacier National Park. In addition to your National Park Pass you will need a Timed Vehicle Reservation for each of the following entrances in 2025: The West side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork.  ​

• Vehicle Reservation Release Dates:

  • A portion of vehicle reservations will be available 120 days or approximately four months in advance, starting on February 13, 2025, at 8 am MST on a daily rolling basis.

  • Next Day vehicle reservations will be available at 7 pm MDT for next-day entry starting on June 12, 2025 on a daily rolling basis.

• Tips on obtaining a vehicle reservation:

  • Make sure to create an account at Recreation.gov and get familiar with the app so you are prepared to be logged in and ready to purchase one at 8 am mountain time. They sell out rather quickly. 

  • Add the Going to the Sun Road and North Fork Timed Entry Reservation to your favorites to ensure they are easy to find. 

  • Once a ticket is in a cart you have 15 min to purchase it. Tickets put into carts and not purchased are released back to the public. So 15 minutes later there are usually tickets that become available again. This is like having a second chance to get one, so be sure to start looking from 8:15am to 8:30am for those. Additionally you can use that extra chance to purchase a ticket for another area of the park if you get the one you were trying for the first go around. 

  • If you weren't able to secure a reservation worst case scenario you can enter before 7 AM or after 3 PM without a reservation. Entering before 7 AM is one of the best ways to get parking at the popular hikes. The early bird gets the worm they say! 

  • In 2025 the East St. Mary Going to the Sun Road entrance does not require a Vehicle Reservation.

• Going-To-The-Sun Road (GTTS) - One of the most beautiful drives in the world, it isn't called the Crown of the Continent for nothing! This typically opens for full passage sometime after June 25th, it varies from year to year. If you are here in late June when the road is closed, it's worth the once in a lifetime opportunity to ride it on an e-bike.

• Logan's Pass - If you're planning a hike, make sure to get there early to find parking. It typically takes about 1 hr 15 min taking the GTTS Road to get there from Fort Williamson. If you're looking to just park for a short time it might be worth taking a few loops around the parking lot until something opens up. Oftentimes we will continue on to Saint Mary Lake for a waterfall hike and then catch Logan's Pass on the return. 

• Lake McDonald - Is about 20 minutes from Fort Williamson and is where all those colorful rock pictures are taken. 

• Many Glacier - Is a 2 hour 15 min drive from Fort Williamson. It's a beautiful area and well worth the Trek. This is where boat ride across the lake to lesson your hike to Grinnell Glacier departs from. Make sure to schedule boat tickets in advance. Additionally this is where everyone seems to see Moose and Grizzlies, near lake Josephine. 

• Saint Mary Lake - Is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Fort Williamson via the GTTS road. 

• Polebridge North Park Entrance - It takes about an hour to get to Polebridge from Fort Williamson via the Outer North Fork road, only a 1/4 of it is paved. Make sure to stop for some pastries at the Polebridge Mercantile before you enter the park.

• Bowman/Kintla Lake - These lakes are accessed from the North Park Entrance. These are the less traveled lakes of the park and well worth the day trip.

• Two Medicine Is about 1 hour 30 min from Fort Williamson and is less visited than the other parts of the Park. You can take a day trip for the breathtaking views and a quick hike to Running Eagle Falls. 

• Glacier Park Boat Company - Reservations for Boat Tours and Boat Rentals can be easily made online with the Glacier Park Boat Company. Make sure to book in advance as these tours sell out very fast!

• Swan Valley Mountain Outfitters - The only outfitter approved for horseback rides in the Park.

• Glacier Outfitters - Recreational Rentals located inside the Park. Boat Rentals, Kayaks, Bikes, Bear Spray, Fishing Rod, Hiking & Camping Gear. Keep in mind if your rental car has a hitch reciever, then we have 2 e-bikes, helmets, and a bike rack available for rent. 

• Trails in the park we frequent are Apgar Lookout, Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook and Virginia and St Mary's Falls.