WEST GLACIER, MONT. - Operating hours for many visitor services including campgrounds, concessions, boat inspections, and backcountry permits in Glacier National Park will begin to change after Labor Day weekend.
The free shuttle transportation service accessing Logan Pass and locations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road will operate through Labor Day, September 2. The last day for visitors to utilize the free shuttle service during the 2013 season is Labor Day.
Rehabilitation work on the Going-to-the-Sun Road continues through the fall season. Paving between Avalanche Creek and Logan Creek has been completed. Minor delays will continue in this area to accommodate striping, wheelstop and rumble strip installation, signing, rock placement, and other road work. Rehabilitation work on the east-side between Rising Sun and Siyeh Bend will continues with 20-minute maximum day-time delays. Night closures continue in this area after 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Sun Point is closed to the public and being utilized as a staging area for rehabilitation activities.
To allow accelerated fall season rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle on the east side will be Sunday, September 22. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground beginning Monday, September 23. Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the west side of the park through Sunday, Oct. 20, weather permitting.
Campground operating dates are as follows:
Campground
Closing Dates
(Through night of dates listed)
Primitive Camping Operating Dates
(No water available)
Apgar
October 13
Primitive camping in picnic area October 14-31, and April 1-May 2: $10 per night, November 1-March 31: Free with valid entrance pass
Avalanche
September 2
No primitive camping
Bowman Lake
September 6
Primitive camping September 7- October 31 (weather dependent) $10 per night November 1 through closure: Free with valid entrance pass
Cut Bank
September 8
Operated in primitive status all season, closes Noon September 9
Fish Creek
September 1
National Recreation Reservation System Campground, no primitive camping
Kintla Lake
September 6
Primitive camping September 7- October 31:(weather dependent) $10 per night November 1 through closure: Free with valid entrance pass
Logging Creek
September 22
Operated in primitive status all season, closes Noon September 23
Many Glacier
September 22
Primitive camping September 23 -29 (weather dependent) $10 per night. Closes Noon September 30
Quartz Creek
October 30
Operated in primitive status all season, closes Noon October 31
Rising Sun
September 2
No primitive camping
Sprague Creek
September 2
No primitive camping
St. Mary
September 8
June 1-September 1: National Recreation Reservation System $23 per night
September 2-8: $20 per night
Primitive camping September 9-October 31: $10 per night
November 1-March 31: Free with valid entrance pass
Two Medicine
September 8
No primitive camping
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 for the Apgar Back-Country Permit Office will change after Labor Day. From Labor Day through Sept. 30, the office will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. During October hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Back-country permits will be issued until 30 minmutes prior to closing.
Hours of operation to conduct boat inspections and receive permits will also change this fall:
West-Side Boat Inspections
September 8 - September 30
October 1 - October 31
November 1 - May 1
7:00am to 4:30pm, Apgar Back-Country Office
8:00am to 4:00pm, Apgar Back-Country Office
Monday-Friday, Head-quarters Office
Weekends Apgar Visitor Center
East-Side Boat Inspections
September 1 - September 14 (St.Mary)
September 1-September 21 (Two Medicine and Many Glacier)
September 14/22 - late May
8:00am to 4:30pm
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
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:
Belton Chalets, Inc.
(1-888-345-2649 or www.sperrychalet.com or www.graniteparkchalet.com) Backcountry Chalets:
Location
Closing
Granite Park Chalet*
September 9 (after breakfast)
Sperry Chalet**
September 9 (after breakfast)
*The historic Granite Park Chalet is available for overnight use as a rustic hiker shelter.
**Services at the historic Sperry Chalet include traditional overnight accommodations and food service for overnight guests and day hikers with meal reservations.
Glacier Park Boat Company (406-257-2426 or www.glacierparkboats.com) Boat tours and rentals:
Location
Closing
Apgar (rentals only)
September 2
Lake McDonald
September 22
Many Glacier
September 15
Rising Sun (tours only)
September 2
Two Medicine
September 8
Glacier Park, Inc. (GPI) (Central reservations: 406-892-2525 or www.glacierparkinc.com ) Front country lodging, food and beverage services, retail, tour and transportation services:
Location
Closing
Lake McDonald Lodge & Camp Store
September 29 (after breakfast)
Jammer Joe's Restaurant
September 2 (after dinner)
Many Glacier Hotel
September 22 (after breakfast)
Rising Sun Motor Inn & Camp Store
September 15 (after breakfast)
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
September 16 (after breakfast)
Swiftcurrent Campstore
September 16 (closes at noon)
Two Medicine Camp Store
September 8 (open all day)
Village Inn
September 16 (after check-out)
Red Bus Tours
Tours operate the same dates as the hotels.
Hiker Shuttle
September 2
East-Side Shuttle
September 22
Glacier Guides, Inc. (1-800-521-RAFT or 406-387-5555 or www.glacierguides.com ) Day hikes and backpacking:
Location
Closing
Various Locations
October
Sun Tours (1-800-786-9220 or 406-226-9220 or www.glaciersuntours.com ) Road-based tours highlighting Blackfeet culture and history:
Location
Closing
Various Locations
October 15
Swan Mountain Outfitters (1-877-888-5557 or http://www.swanmountainoutfitters.com/glacier/) Horseback rides:
Location
Closing
Apgar
September 2
Lake McDonald
September 29
Many Glacier
September 15
Waterton Inter-Nation Shoreline Cruises, LTD (403-859-2362 or www.watertoncruise.com ) Waterton Lake boat tours:
Location
Closing
Goat Haunt Landing
September 22
Ranger-led activities such as guided hikes and evening programs are offered throughout September. View the ranger-led activity schedule on the park's website at https:///www.nps.gov/applications/glac/inforequest/inforequest3.cfm.
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-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
