Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Glacier National Park.
Q:When is Glacier Park open?
A:Glacier National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. In the fall winter and spring, some roads are inaccessible by car due to snow.
Q:Where is Glacier National Park located?
A:Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana on the U.S./Canadian border. Access to the park from the east and west is along U.S. Highway 2. Park headquarters is located in West Glacier.
Q:What are the entrance fees for Glacier National Park?
A:
Vehicle: $35.00 for 7 Days
Motorcycles: $30.00 for 7 Days
Individuals: $20.00 for 7 Days
Q: Where are the closest airports to the park? Is there transportation from the airports to the park?
A:Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana is 25 miles west of park headquarters in West Glacier, Montana.
There are also airports in Great Falls, Montana (200 miles east of West Glacier) and Missoula, Montana (156 miles south of West Glacier).
Car rentals are available at airports. Shuttles are available at the Kalispell airport.
Q:What is the closest train station to the park?
A:Amtrak rail lines parallel the southern and southwestern borders of the park. Amtrak stops at West Glacier (Belton), East Glacier (summer only), and Essex (upon request).
Q:What is the recommended stay duration at Glacier National Park?
A:Minimalist (3 Days)
Driving/Sightseeing: 1 Day
Hiking/Exploring: 1 Day
Activities/Tours/Special Programs: 1 Day
Adventurist (5 Days)
Driving/Sightseeing: 2 Days
Hiking/Exploring: 2 Days
Activities/Tours/Special Programs: 1 Day
Notes: The average visitor spends three to four days in the area, although you easily could fill a week with activities in the park. A drive across going to the sun road is a must, and will require the better part of a day if you want to enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. There are several pullouts all along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and you will certainly want to pause often along your journey to take in the sweeping views of the parks breathtaking scenery. On a second day in the park you should consider driving up to the Many Glacier Area or even up into Waterton Lakes National Park (the portion of Glacier Park that lies on the Canadian-side of the border.) The scenery in this area of the park is jaw-dropping and both the Many Glacier Hotel and The Prince of Wales Hotel are two remarkable historic hotels that are definitely worth the drive to visit. The Many Glacier Area is also a great opportunity to see more of the glaciers that this park is known for, as well as some really cool wildlife such as Grizzlies and Moose. There are more than 700 miles of hiking trails to be explored within Glacier National Park. You could easily fill an entire week with hiking adventures alone inside the park, but as most visitors will be on a time-budget, you will probably have to choose only one or two. Still an entire day or possibly two should be set aside for hiking in the park. Some of the most popular trails inside the park include the Avalanche Trail and Trail of The Cedars along the west side of GTTSR, the Trail To Virginia Falls along the east side of GTTSR, and the hike to Hidden Lake or the High-line Trail, both of which can be accessed from the top of the road at Logan Pass. Lastly, there are many great adventure outfitters in the area, and you could easily spend a full day or multiple days taking part in activities like whitewater rafting, fly-fishing in the lakes or streams, horseback riding, flight seeing the park in a helicopter, and much more!
Q:What is the weather like at Glacier National Park?
A:
Month
High (F°)
Low (F°)
January
29
15
February
35
19
March
42
23
April
53
30
May
64
37
June
71
44
July
79
47
August
78
46
September
67
39
October
53
32
November
37
25
December
30
18
Q:Is there cellular and WiFi service at Glacier National Park?
A:
Glacier National Park has limited cell service inside the park. A few spots that provide a fair signal are at West Glacier to Apgar and St. Mary to about four miles up the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Limited access to WiFi is located at the Apagar and St. Mary Visitor Centers.
Q:Are pets allowed inside of Glacier National Park?
A:
At Glacier National Park pets are only permitted inside your vehicle while driving on park roads, picnic areas, front-country campgrounds, along paved roads, inside of your boat on lakes that allow watercraft, and in parking areas. Pets are not allowed on trails, lakeshores, in any building, and in the backcountry. You can not leave your pet unattended or tied up to an object. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet (1.8 meters) at all times. Owners must clean up after their pets.
Q:When is Going-to-the-Sun Road open?
A:
Going-to-the-Sun Road is usually opened in June or July till September or October weather-dependent.
List of past opening and closing dates of Going-to-the-Sun Road:
YEAR
OPENING
MONTH
OPENING
DATE
CLOSING
MONTH
CLOSING
DATE
2000
May
27
Oct
16
2001
June
7
Oct
22
2002
June
28
Oct
28
2003
May
30
Oct
28
2004
May
30
Oct
18
2005
May
22
Oct
31
2006
June
23
Oct
23
2007
July
1
Sept
16
2008
July
2
Oct
20
2009
June
26
Oct
19
2010
June
24
Oct
18
2011
July
13
Sept
17
2012
June
19
Sept
16
2013
June
21
Sept
23
2014
July
2
Sept
22
2015
June
19
Oct
5
2016
June
16
Oct
10
2017
June
28
Sept
3
2018
June
22
Sept
29
2019
June
22
Sept
25
2020
July
13
Oct
9
Q:Can I hike in Glacier National Park?
A:
Yes, there are many different trails to hike in Glacier National Park ranging from easy to difficult. Many popular self-guided walks include Forest and Fire, Running Eagle Falls, Hidden Lake, The trail of the Cedars, and Swiftcurrent Nature Trails. Glacier park also offers two wheelchair-accessible trails, the first one is The Trail of the Cedars and the second one is the Running Eagle Falls trail.
Q:What are some of the must see spots in Glacier National Park?
A:
There are many wonderful things to see and do in Glacier National Park. But the must-see and must-dos would have to be:
Lake McDonald - spectacular sights of the mountains and the lake, a photographer's dream area, hiking trails, historic chalets, Lake McDonald Lodge, Dining options at the Lake McDonald Lodge are also available plus activities.
Trail of the Cedars - an accessible boardwalk trail that allows everyone to explore the section of the park. Views of Avalanche Creek, massive trees, forest vegetation, and a possible sighting of wildlife.
Avalanche Lake - a beautiful hike to a gorgeous lake.
Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road
Logan Pass - View Reynolds Mountain and Clements Mountain tower over fields of wildflowers that carpet the ground throughout the summer.
Swift Current Lake & Mount Gould - Massive mountains, active glaciers, sparkling lakes, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife.
North Fork - One of the most uncrowded sections of Glacier National Park and reached by private vehicle. Rough dirt roads tend to reduce visitation and yet those that do travel here are rewarded with a living laboratory of forest succession in recently burned areas, views of Bowman and Kintla Lakes, a homesteading site, and chances to see and hear rare park wildlife.
St. Mary Valley - St. Mary is the eastern gateway to Glacier National Park. Prairies, mountains, and forests all converge here to create a diverse and rich habitat for plants and animals. The open meadows surrounded by dense forests can afford some great opportunities for wildlife viewing.
St. Mary Lake - the surface of the lake is often riffled by the wind and spans almost 10 miles. A drive along St. Mary Lake provides some of the most incredible vistas available in the park.
Q:Where are the visitor centers in Glacier Park?
A:
Glacier National Park has three visitor centers for you to stop at and find information about the park. One is the St. Mary Visitor Center located on the East side of the park, the second one is the Apgar Visitor Center located on the West side of the park and the third is the Logan Pass Visitor Center located on the highest point of Going-to-the-Sun Road.