NPS / Andrew Friedgen Where to Take Stock Much of the park is open to stock use. Figure out where to ride and where to unload. For detailed information on conditions and parking at trailheads available for stock use, see the Stock Users Guide to Trailheads page.
Most trails in the park are open to use by horses, mules, and donkeys, but some are not. Additionally, wildlife activity, steep snowbanks, saturated or flooded trails, and extended periods of wet weather may restrict stock use temporarily. See our trail status page or visit park ranger stations and forest service ranger stations for updates on trails and river crossing conditions.
Stock are prohibited on Going-to-the-Sun Road and Camas Road. They are permitted on all other paved roads when those roads are closed to vehicles. Stock are allowed on the following unimproved roads: Old Flathead Ranger Station Road from the concession barn, the spur road to the Apgar Lookout Trailhead, and (when closed to vehicles) both Bowman Lake Road and Inside North Fork Road.
If you are using a stock truck, there are loading ramps located at the sites listed below. Be sure not to block ramps with unattended vehicles.
Belly River Area
Protect the Park While Using Stock Certain restrictions are in place on what trails you can ride on and how many heads of stock you can bring.
Lake McDonald Valley
Logan Pass
Many Glacier Valley
St. Mary Valley
Two Medicine Valley
Other Areas
There is a ten-head limit for day use on most trails that allow stock. The following trails have a twenty-head limit for day use:
Lake McDonald Valley
Many Glacier Valley
West Side Roads
Please comply with Leave No Trace ethics in addition to the following regulations and guidelines:
Feed
Area Use
Hitching and Tethering
Trip Planning Important information for limitations and camping with stock.
Wilderness Camping
Permits for wilderness campsites may be obtained at wilderness permit offices or online at Recreation.gov. Competition is very high in July and August, and stock users are encouraged to plan overnight trips after this period. When planning to use stock on a wilderness overnight trip, be aware that certain campsites are not available due to size or resource considerations. Please see our Wilderness Camping page for more information. Front Country Camping Stock users may keep up to ten head of stock at the Bowman Lake Corral while they camp at Bowman Lake Campground (about ¼ mile away). Prior permission must be obtained from the Polebridge Ranger Station (406) 888-7842. Stock users may camp for one night in Two Medicine. For more information and to obtain permission, contact the Walton-Two Medicine District Ranger or designee at (406) 226-4484. Camping Outside the Park with Stock
Special provisions and restrictions apply when crossing the International Boundary with stock. Canadian stock owners must have proof of a Coggins test endorsed by a veterinarian. Call the Montana State Veterinarian office at (406) 444-2043 for more information.
US stock owners must obtain a horse use permit from Piegan/Carway Customs; each animal must have had a Coggins test endorsed by a veterinarian and must enter and exit at Piegan/Carway Border Crossing. Length of stay is 72 hours. Call the Customs office at (403) 653-3009 for more details. |
Last updated: June 29, 2026