West Glacier, MT - Many services and facilities in Glacier National Park will be open for Memorial Day weekend.
Visitors should plan ahead to have a safe Memorial Day weekend for themselves and family members. Use extreme caution near water and steep terrain. Rivers and streams are running very high, and snow depths are higher than average this spring. Carry bear spray, and maintain 25 yards of distance from most park wildlife. Maintain 100 yards of distance from black and grizzly bears. Hikers and bikers traveling to alpine avalanche terrain should visit the Flathead Avalanche Center website to learn about spring avalanche conditions. Rangers have already responded to several car crashes this spring, and report a general uptick in distracted and dangerous driving behavior. Visitors should minimize in-car distractions, prepare for narrow and winding roads, and stay alert for wildlife and bicyclists. Learn more about safety at the park’s website.
This year, Sun Point has reopened after being closed for many years while serving as a staging area for Going-to-the-Sun Road construction materials, and as it underwent improvements. Sun Point is located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and can be accessed through the St. Mary park entrance this weekend. This summer, the picnic area at Sun Point will be closed intermittently to vehicles while watering occurs for newly planted native trees.
The Trail of the Cedars at Avalanche Creek is fully reopened as a loop trail following foot bridge construction this winter. The footbridge will be opened later this year after once additional boardwalk is constructed. Visitors in the Avalanche Creek area should use the restroom at the picnic area as the restroom along the trail is currently closed while it is rehabilitated to be accessible to persons with disabilities.
This year, only hand-propelled watercraft is allowed on park waters. Waters on the west side of the park are open. Waters on the east side of the park will open June 1. Motorized watercraft and boat trailers will continue to be restricted for the summer of 2017 following the detection of aquatic invasive mussels within the State of Montana last fall. Boaters with human powered watercraft visiting lakes on the west side of the park over Memorial Day weekend must stop at the boat inspection station located in Apgar Village to receive a free permit prior to launch.
Some campgrounds are already open for the season, including Apgar Campground, which is the largest in the park. Limited campsites are open at Two Medicine due to snow. Specific information about each campground, including a map of the sites, operating dates, available services, current and historic fill times, food storage protocols to protect wildlife, and more is available on the camping page of the park’s website.
Most campgrounds in Glacier are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Reservations are available for Fish Creek, St. Mary, and Many Glacier Campgrounds beginning June 1 (June 15 for Many Glacier), and may be made up to six months in advance through the National Recreation Reservation Service at https://www.recreation.gov/. Campers without prior reservations are also welcome at these campgrounds, as space is available.
Campers are reminded to keep a clean camp, and obey food storage regulations. Animals are attracted to food, and food odors. All food, garbage, and equipment used to cook, serve or store food must be kept sealed in a vehicle or in an approved bear-resistant container.
The park’s campground opening and closing dates are below:
Campground Location Regular Season Operating Dates Primitive Camping (Off Season) no water available
Opening (first day of camping) Last night of Camping Nightly Fees
Apgar April 28 October 9 $20 Primitive camping in Picnic Area October 10 - October 31 and April 1 - April 27: $10 per night.November 1 - March 31: free, valid entrance receipt required.
Avalanche June 16 September 17 $20 Closed for season at 12 pm September 18
Bowman Lake May 19 September 10 $15 Primitive camping, weather dependent, September 11 - October 31: $10 per night. November 1through closure: free, valid entrance pass required.
Cut Bank June 2 September 24 $10 Primitive camping all season. Closes 12 pmSeptember 25.
Fish Creek June 1 September 3 $23 Operated as a National Recreation Reservation Campground. Closes 12 pm September 4.
Kintla Lake June 9 September 10 $15 Primitive Camping, weather dependent, September 11 - October 31: $10 per night. November 1through closure: free, valid entrance pass required.
Logging Creek June 30 September 24 $10 Primitive camping all season. Closes 12 pmSeptember 25.
Many Glacier May 19 June 14 $20 First come-first served
June 15 September 3 $23 Half of the campground will operate as a National Recreation Reservation Campground and half will be first come-first served.
September 4 September 24 $20 First come-first served. Primitive CampingSeptember 25- October 31 weather permitting: $10 per night.
Quartz Creek June 30 October 30 $10 Primitive camping all season. Closes 12 pmOctober 31.
Rising Sun June 2 September 10 $20 Closes 12 pm September 11.
Sprague Creek May 5 September 17 $20 Closes 12 pm September 18.
St. Mary April 15 May 18 $10 First come-first served
May 19 May 31 $20 First come-first served
June 1 September 3 $23 Operated as a National Recreation Reservation Campground
September 4 September 17 $20 First come-first served
September 18 October 31 $10 Primitive camping 9/18-10/31. November 1 -April 14: free, valid entrance pass required. April 15 - regular season opening in May: $10 per night.
Two Medicine May 19 September 24 $20 Primitive camping September 25 - Closure: $10 per night. Weather permitting.
Currently visitors can drive 15.5 miles from the West Entrance to Avalanche Creek along the Going-to-the-Sun-Road. Hikers and bikers may travel beyond the closed gate as far as conditions allow on weekends and holidays and after 4:30 pm on weekdays.
Vehicle access is permitted 13.5 miles from the St. Mary Visitor Center to Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Hikers and bikers will have access beyond the gate during the Memorial Day weekend as far as conditions allow.
Visitor centers are open at Apgar and St. Mary. Each visitor center has unique exhibits and activities. Interpretive rangers are available at visitor centers during operating hours. The park’s visitor center opening and closing dates are as follows:
Visitor Center Operating Dates Hours
Apgar Visitor Center May 13 - June 9 9am-4:30pm
June 10 - September 4 8am-6pm
September 5 - October 9 (weekends only beginning October 10) 8am-5pm
St. Mary Visitor Center May 26 - June 17 8am-5pm
June 18 - August 12 8am-6pm
August 13 - September 30 8am-5pm
October 1- October 8 (October 9 - closes for season) 9 am-5pm
Logan Pass Visitor Center Not before June 18 - September 4 9am -7pm
September 5 - September 30 (October 1 - closes for season) 9:30am-4pm
Park stores within each visitor center are operated by the Glacier National Park Conservancy, an official park partner. Visit glacier.org to learn more about the Conservancy and the products and materials available to assist with trip planning and enjoying the park.
Park concessioners offer a variety of activities from hospitality services to hiking, boating, horseback riding, and driving tours. Information may be found on each service at the park’s website.
Glacier Institute is the park’s official education partner. Classes for adults and children can be found at glacierinstitute.org.
Entrance fees for 2017 are as follows:
2017 Glacier National Park Entrance Fees
Entrance fee per person $15
Entrance fee per car - 7 day pass $30
Entrance fee per motorcycle - 7 day pass $25
Glacier National Park annual pass $50
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
