Directions, Transportation, & Road Conditions

 

Click road or icon on the map for more information.

This report contains the most recent information available for road, hiker/biker, and entrance closures as well as snowplow status. It may be outdated and inaccurate as our information can change quickly.

Important Travel Warnings:

• There are no fueling stations within Glacier's boundaries.
• Parking is limited. During summer, parking lots often fill by early morning.
• During extreme congestion, access to whole areas may be temporarily restricted to allow for emergency vehicles.
• Glacier's entries and roads all have specific restrictions and season lengths. Please plan accordingly.
• The Chief Mountain Border Crossing is open during the summer season only.

 

How do I get to Glacier National Park?

By Car

• From the west, access to the Lake McDonald area, Park Headquarters, the Apgar Visitor Center, and Going-to-the-Sun-Road is via Highway 2 east to the town of West Glacier (approximately 33 miles from Kalispell).

• From the east, all three east-side entrances can be reached by taking Highway 89 north from Great Falls through the town of Browning (approximately 125 miles) and following signs from there. The St. Mary Entrance is the eastern entry point of Going-to-the-Sun-Road and provides access to the St. Mary Visitor Center.

By Air

• Glacier Park International Airport is located near Kalispell and is approximately 30 miles west of the West Entrance.

• Missoula International Airport is located approximately 150 miles south of the West Entrance.

• Great Falls International Airport is located between 130 miles and 165 miles east of the St Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier Entrances.

By Train

• Amtrak's historic Empire Builder train line stops year-round at West Glacier (Belton), and the Izaak Walton Inn at Essex, and seasonally at East Glacier Park. In the summer, Glacier National Park Lodges provides a shuttle (for a fee) that transports West Glacier Amtrak passengers between the train depot, Apgar Village, and the Lake McDonald Lodge. Reservations are required.

How do I know what roads are open?

• Most roads within Glacier National Park are only open seasonally. See the map above for current statuses.
• Stay up to date on road openings and closures. Sign up for Glacier National Park Notifications to receive live updates. Text GNPROADS to 333111 and the first to know road openings and closures!
• Some roads outside the park are seasonal as well. Check the Montana Department of Transportation map for information.

When does Going-to-the-Sun Road open and close?

The road is open year-round near the West Entrance. The entire road does not usually open until late June at the earliest. Please see the map above for the most up-to-date information. The alpine sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road typically close for the winter around the third Monday of October, but this can happen earlier due to wintery weather. You can find historical open and close dates on our Press Kit Page.

Are there restrictions on Going-to-the-Sun Road?

Specific Vehicle Size Limits
21 ft (6.4 m) long, 8 ft (2.4 m) wide, 10 ft (3 m) tall

Vehicles and vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet (including bumpers) or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. Vehicles over 10 feet in height may have difficulty driving west from Logan Pass to the Loop due to rock overhangs. Stock trucks and trailers can access Packers Roost on the west and Siyeh Bend on the east.

Bicycling
The following section of Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to bicycle use from May 24 through September 8, 2024:

• From Apgar to Logan Pass, bicycles are prohibited going both eastbound and westbound between 3 pm and 6 pm. This ONLY applies to whatever portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road that is designated as "open to motor vehicles."

Speed Limit
For safety reasons, 40 mph is the speed limit in the lower elevations of the road and 25 mph in the alpine section. Please be careful around blind curves, as animals and pedestrians often cross the road unexpectedly.

How can I use Glacier's shuttles?

Glacier's summer shuttle system is updated and adjusted from year to year. Please visit our Shuttle System page for more information. The park’s shuttle service is a point-to-point transportation service only, not a narrated tour. The Going-to-the-Sun Road audio tour has information about each shuttle stop.

Glacier National Park Lodges may offer a seasonal shuttle for a fee that connects to St. Mary and Many Glacier.

How long does it take to drive across the park?

Times listed below are estimates and will vary based on road construction, traffic, and time of day.

• St. Mary to Many Glacier Valley: 20 miles, 40 minutes
• St. Mary to Two Medicine Valley: 34 miles, 1 hour
• St. Mary to Waterton Lakes National Park: 50 miles, 1 hour (plus Customs delays)
• West Glacier to East Glacier Park: 56 miles, 1 hour
• West Glacier to St. Mary (Going-to-the-Sun Road): 50 miles, 2 hours
• West Glacier to St. Mary (US Hwy 2 to Hwy 89): 90 miles, 2 hours
• West Glacier to Many Glacier: 70 miles, 2½ hours
• West Glacier to Polebridge: 28 miles, 1 hour

How can I cross the border into Canada?

• To find up-to-date information about crossing the border, please visit https://travel.gc.ca/.
• A passport is required for all international border crossings.
• Piegan/Carway Port of Entry is located on U.S. Hwy 89 north of Babb, MT.
• The Chief Mountain Border Crossing is open May 15 through September 30, times vary. See the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for more details.
• Roosville Port of Entry is located on U.S. Hwy 93 north of Eureka, MT.

Are there guided tours on Going-to-the-Sun Road?

Three companies provide guided tours through the park:

The Blackfeet Perspective
Learn about the Blackfeet Indian culture while traveling in comfortable, 25-seat passenger buses equipped with large windows, air conditioning, and accessibility ramps and lockdowns. For information and reservations, please visit Sun Tours.

Historic Red Bus Tours
Glacier National Park Lodges (Xanterra) offers tours throughout the park during the summer. Sit back and enjoy the park’s spectacular scenery in a historic Red Bus. On clear days, the canvas roofs are rolled back for open-air touring.

Glacier Institute Tours
Glacier Institute offers tours throughout the park during the summer. Learn about the geology, wildlife and history of the park while traveling the Going-to-the-Sun Road by van and hiking short distances.