Maps

 

Click on the arrow in the map's top left corner to toggle between the Brochure Map and the interactive Park Tiles map. You can find other versions and downloads of park maps at nps.gov/carto

Glacier's roads all have various restrictions and season lengths.

How do I get to Glacier National Park?

By Car

From the west, the communities of Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls, provide access to the Lake McDonald area, Park Headquarters, the Apgar Visitor Center and Going-to-the-Sun-Road. From Kalispell, take Highway 2 north to West Glacier (approximately 33 miles). From the east, all three east entrances can be reached by taking Highway 89 north from Great Falls to the town of Browning (approximately 125 miles) and then following signage to the respective entrance. The St. Mary Entrance is the east entry point of Going-to-the-Sun-Road and provides access to the St. Mary Visitor Center.

By Air

Several commercial service airports are located within driving distance of Glacier National Park. 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 south of the West Entrance. Great Falls International Airport is located between 130 miles to 165 miles east of East Glacier Park, St Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier Entrances. Car rentals are available at airports. Shuttles are available at the Kalispell airport.

By Train

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

How do I know what roads are open?

• Many roads within Glacier National Park are seasonal. Check Road Status to see what's open.
• 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?

Portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road are open year round, however the entire road will not usually open until late June at the earliest. Please visit our Plowing and Road Status pages for the most up to date information. The alpine sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road typically closes for the winter around the third Monday of October, but that can change due to weather.

Plowing Going-to-the-Sun Road is a monumental challenge each year. Unpredictable spring snow storms or other weather related events can slow down plowing progress. It is not uncommon for plowing crews to need to re-plow sections of park roads when weather events happen. Our plowing status page provides information on where plows are working.

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

Specifica 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 Campground and the Rising Sun picnic area parking. Vehicle and vehicle combinations over 10 feet in height may have difficulty driving west from Logan Pass to the Loop, due to rock overhangs. Stock trucks and trailers are able to access Packers Roost on the west, and Siyeh Bend on the east.

Bicycling

From June 15 through Labor Day, the following sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are closed to bicycle use between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm:

• From Apgar turnoff (at the south end of Lake McDonald) to Sprague Creek Campground
• Eastbound from Logan Creek to Logan Pass

Speed Limit

For safety reasons, 45 miles per hour is the speed limit in the lower elevations of the road and 25 miles per hour in the alpine section. Please be careful around blind curves as animals and pedestrians do cross the road.

How can I use Glacier's free shuttles?

Glacier's summer shuttle system is updated and adjusted from year to year. Please visit the park's Glacier's Shuttle System page for more information.

Hiker's Shuttle
A seasonal hiker's shuttle is offered by Glacier National Park Lodges for a fee. It connects West Glacier, Apgar, Lake McDonald Lodge, St. Mary, and Many Glacier. Reservations required.
Looking for Commentary?

Glacier National Park's shuttle service is a point-to-point transportation service only. But all shuttle stops feature interpretive and educational information regarding the history and features of the park, plus family-fun activities to help pass the time. The Going-to-the-Sun Road audio tour has information about each shuttle stop.

Guided Bus Tours

Interpretive motorized tours on Going-to-the-Sun Road are available with park concessionaires, Sun Tours and Xanterra Parks and Resorts.

How long does it take to drive across the park?

Times within and around the park are estimates and will vary with construction and time of day.

St. Mary to Many Glacier Valley: 20 miles, 30-40 minutes
St. Mary to Two Medicine Valley: 34 miles, 1 hour
St. Mary to Waterton Lakes National Park: 50 miles, 1 hour plus customs

West Glacier to East Glacier: 56 miles, 1 hour
West Glacier to St. Mary (Going-to-the-Sun Road): 50 miles, 2 to 2 1/2 hours
West Glacier to St. Mary (US Hwy 2 to Hwy 89): 90 miles, 2 to 2 1/2 hours
West Glacier to Many Glacier: 70 miles, 2 1/2 to 3 hours
West Glacier to Polebridge: 28 miles, 1 hour

How can I cross the border into Canada?

• 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 and is open 7:00 am to 11:00 pm year round.
• Chief Mountain Port of Entry is only open in summer and operating hours 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 and is open 24/7.
• See the Trail Status page for Goat Haunt entry information.

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

Two 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 and air conditioning, also accessible with ramps and lock downs. For information and reservations, please visit Sun Tours.

Take a Ride on a Red Bus

Glacier National Park Lodges (Xanterra) offers tours throughout the park. Sit back and enjoy the park’s spectacular scenery in a historic Red Bus. On clear days, the canvas roofs are rolled back and transformed into convertible buses.