Labor Day Weekend Brings Fall Schedule

Date: August 28, 2012
Contact: Denise Germann, 406-888-5838
Contact: Jennifer Lutman, 406-888-7895

WEST GLACIER, MONT. - The free shuttle transportation service accessing Logan Pass and locations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road will operate through Labor Day, September 3. The last day for visitors to utilize the free shuttle service during the 2012 season is Labor Day.

To allow accelerated fall season rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle on the west side will be Sunday, September 16. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the west side at Avalanche Creek beginning Monday, September 17. Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the east side of the park through Sunday, October 14, weather permitting.

Hours of operation for several visitor contact centers will change after Labor Day:

Apgar Backcountry Permit Office
May 1 - September 29 September 30 - October 31	7:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 3:30pm
Apgar Visitor Center
September 4 - September 30 October 1 - October 20 October 27 - April 30, 2013	8:00am to 5:00pm 9:00am to 4:30pm 9:00am to 4:30pm, Weekends Only
St. Mary Visitor Center
September 4 - September 30	8:00am to 5:00pm
Logan Pass Visitor Center
September 4 - September 30	9:30am to 4:30pm

Avalanche, Cut Bank, and Fish Creek Campgrounds close at noon on September 3. Rising Sun and Sprague Creek Campgrounds close at noon on September 10. Primitive camping will be available at Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake Campgrounds starting September 9, and St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier campgrounds beginning September 16.

Campgrounds in primitive status have pit toilets available, no potable or drinking water, limited number of sites, and fees are reduced to $10 per night. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and reminded that any water taken from streams or lakes requires treatment before use. Current campground status is available at https:///www.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm.

Hours of operation to conduct boat inspections and receive permits will also change this fall:

West Side
September 8 - September 30 October 1 - October 31 November 1 - May 1	7:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 4:00pm 8:00am to 4:00pm, expect delays & call ahead if you can estimate your arrival time, 888-7800
East Side
September 1 - September 20 September 21 - late May	8:00am to 4:30pm 8:00am to 4:00pm, expect delays & call ahead if you can estimate your arrival time, 888-7800

Many concessioner services will begin closing mid-September including lodging, transportation, food service, retail shops, and boat rentals. Autumn visitors to Glacier National Park will find less crowds, cooler temperatures, and changing vegetation colors. Area residents and visitors are reminded that the park is open year-round and park recreational opportunities can be found during all seasons.

For additional park information, visit the park's website www.nps.gov/glac or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800.

-NPS-