Glacier National Park and Going-to-the-Sun Road: Do I Need a Reservation Ticket?
TL;DR
We have done our best to keep this post updated with the most accurate information for 2024. However, we advise going straight to the source of the information. The NPS has an easy to follow description on this link here.
UPDATED FOR THE 2024 SEASON
Heading to Glacier National Park this summer? Do you have your reservation ticket? Yep, if you have any plans for hiking, scenic drives or hitting the Going-to-the-Sun-Road, fishing, enjoying mountain lakes and vistas in Glacier, then you might just need a reservation ticket.
This summer, Going-to-the-Sun Road, the North Fork, and Many Glacier will require a vehicle reservation along with a park pass to enter Glacier National Park. This may sound complicated, but all it really means is that you’ll have to do a bit of planning ahead of time to enjoy Glacier.
Keep on scrolling to learn more abut Glacier and how to get that coveted reservation ticket needed to enter Glacier National Park this summer.
// A couple of Flathead Lake Resort former team members, Ken and April, taking the mandatory Glacier National Park entrance photo. //
About Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park consists of over 1500 square miles of wilderness located in Northwestern Montana in the Rocky Mountains. Explore the park’s crystal clear lakes, revel in the grandness of the mountain peaks, and wander the 700 miles of hiking trails that bring you closer to the hundreds of wildlife species that call this place home.
Christened the 10th national park in 1910, Glacier National Park has since become one of the most popular National Parks in the U.S. and the world. In fact, Glacier is consistently ranked the tenth most visited national park, with over three million visitors every year.
One of the highlights of visiting Glacier is the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR). Because of its high elevation at 6646 feet, the road is buried in snow for the winter months and rarely opens to cars before mid-June. But this doesn’t stop millions of visitors from coming here to experience this truly epic park.
What is the Glacier vehicle reservation ticket ?
Glacier National Park first implemented an entry reservation ticket requirement in addition to a park pass in 2021 in a successful attempt at reducing congestion along many entry points. Because of this success, the reservation system continues to be utilized, now throughout the entirety of the park.
While there are limited reservations available and entrance is not guaranteed, it is still possible to enjoy Glacier National Park with or without a vehicle reservation.
The main draw for tourists at Glacier is the Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR). Prior to 2021, all you needed to access this scenic drive was a pass to get you into the park. Now, however, if you’re entering Glacier this summer at West Glacier or heading to the North Fork area via the Polebridge Entrance Station or over east to Many Glacier, you’ll need a vehicle reservation. This ticket is free, but requires a $2 nonrefundable reservation processing fee.
Please note: if you are walking or biking into these entrances, an vehicle registration is not needed. Park passes are needed.
// Ken, our friend, taking a break from biking Going-to-the-Sun Road. //
Each vehicle reservation is valid for ONE day. (*Note, this is different from previous years when pass ranged from 1-3-7 days). And while this ticket, along with your park pass will get you access to Glacier, it does not guarantee a parking space. Time your trip wisely, as millions of tourists and locals alike flock here for hiking, camping, boating, picnicking and more all summer long.
If you happen to have a reservation within Glacier National Park for lodging, a boat ride, a bus/shuttle tour, a horseback ride, or a guided hike, the vehicle reservation is included free of charge with your service reservation and is only valid for the dates of said reservation.
The vehicle reservation is required to visit three areas of Glacier: Going-to-the-Sun Road (from the west entrance), North Fork and Many Glacier.
Going-to-the-Sun-Road
The reservation is valid for one day and is required for each vehicle entering through the West Entrance from May 24 through September 8, 2024, 6 am to 3 pm.
The North Fork
This is a remote region of the park and is quite popular amongst people who also want to visit the tiny community of Polebridge (outside of the park). The reservation ticket for this area is valid for one day and is required for each vehicle accessing the North Fork area from July 1 through September 8, 2024, 6 am to 3 pm.
Many glacier
Another popular alternative to GTSR is the Many Glacier entrance, located just west of the town of Babb. Each vehicle accessing the Many Glacier Valley from July 1 through September 8, 2024, 6 am to 3 pm is required to have a reservation ticket. The ticket for Many Glacier is valid for only 1 day.
Having a vehicle reservation and a park pass means you gain access to Glacier National Park. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the GTSR road is currently open to vehicles from end to end nor does it guarantee parking. There are also possible road closures and construction activities. Be sure to check current road status prior to heading to Glacier.
When are vehicle reservations NOT needed?
Depending on where you are entering the park, you may be able to access it without a reservation ticket based on your planned date of entry.
If you do not have a reservation ticket, you can still enter the park before or after the dates as listed above. If you are visiting Glacier during the time frames that require a vehicle reservation, you can plan your entrance to happen before 6 am or after 3 pm. The park is often less crowded during these times, so not having a reservation ticket, might just be a blessing in disguise.
// One of the many gorgeous view alongside Going-to-the-Sun Road. //
How do I purchase a vehicle reservation?
Vehicle reservations can only be purchased prior to your arrival at the park. They are not available at the entrance booths. Each location has unique details and requires a separate reservation.
Vehicle reservations are only available on Recreation.gov. A portion of vehicle reservations will be available 120 days or approximately four months in advance, starting on January 25, 2024, at 8 am MST on a daily rolling basis. Next Day vehicle reservations will be available at 7 pm MDT for next-day entry starting on May 23, 2024 on a daily rolling basis.
It is highly recommended that you visit Recreation.gov ahead of time to set up an account if you don’t already have one.
For more info, you can read the NPS information here.
What can I do if vehicle reservations are sold out?
If they are all sold out for that day, you do still have several options.
Enter after 3 pm MDT and enter the park then without need for a vehicle reservation.
Enter prior to 6 am MDT and enter the park then without need for a vehicle reservation.
Go to recreation.gov to attempt to reserve your entry reservation ticket the day before you want to arrive.
Reserve an activity in the park. Your reservations include a free vehicle reservation.
Good Things to Know When Visiting Glacier National Park
There are several free days for National Parks in the U.S. While park entrance fees are waived, you will still need a vehicle reservation as outlined above.
2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
Monday, January 15
Saturday, April 20
Wednesday, June 19
Sunday, August 4
Saturday, September 28
Monday, November 11
Due to possible winter conditions within the park at any given moment, especially early and late season, be sure to check the park’s website for current road status.
The entire length of GTSR never has a set opening date due to unpredictable weather in the high country. Most years it doesn’t open until late June at the earliest. Keep track of where the plows are currently, so you can get an idea of when one of the most famous roads in the country opens to vehicles.
// Before the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens to cars, bikers and hikers can enjoy it up until its current closure point, which all depends on where the plows are currently working. //
Glacier National Park is a must, with or without a vehicle reservation.
Glacier National Park is alluring and idyllic no matter where you are in the park. While there are more popular places than others, with many of them being along GTSR, there are also many hidden, off-the-beaten-path gems. Don’t let a reservation system scare you off from experiencing the striking beauty that is Glacier. Get a vehicle reservation or don’t, but get to Glacier. You might regret it if you don’t.
Happy explorations!