FAQ: Vehicle Reservations for Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park will once again have a vehicle reservation system in 2025, from June 13th to September 28th for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork. Visitors will enter the park according to the time block they have reserved and can remain in the park for as long as they like on the day of their reservation. Visitors who miss their reserved time block can enter after 3 pm. Multiple 2-to-3-hour time blocks will be available between 7 am and 3 pm. Additional information regarding time blocks will be announced in coming months.

Beginning February 12th, 8am MDT a portion of vehicle reservations will be available 120 days in advance on a daily rolling basis.

Beginning June 12th, 7 pm MDT next day vehicle reservations for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork will be available for next-day entry on a daily rolling basis.

Vehicle reservations can only be booked on Recreation.gov

Many Glacier Valley
As the park has previously announced, the Swiftcurrent area of Many Glacier Valley will be closed to public access during the summer of 2025 due to ongoing construction. The closure will greatly reduce the amount of available parking in Many Glacier Valley. The park is currently researching access alternatives for the valley in 2025. More information about 2025 visitor access options will be announced in a separate news release.

We encourage you to check out Glacier National Park’s information and FAQ about Vehicle Reservations. The most current info on Glacier is always on the Park’s website.

Bottom Line:

WHEN YOU NEED A VEHICLE RESERVATION?

To access the west side of the Going to the Sun Road past Apgar village between 7 am – 3 pm from June 13th to September 28th, 2025
To access the North fork entrance station (for Bowman and Kintla lakes) between 7 am – 3 pm from June 13th – September 28th, 2025.
Part of the Many Glacier Valley will be closed to public access during the summer of 2025 due to ongoing construction. The closure will greatly reduce the amount of available parking in Many Glacier Valley. The park is currently researching access alternatives for the valley in 2025. More information about 2025 visitor access options will be announced in a separate news release.

WHEN YOU DON’T NEED A VEHICLE RESERVATION?

To access Apgar Village, Camas Road, and the south end of Lake Mcdonald
To access the Going-to-the-Sun Road from St. Mary and Rising Sun
To access Two medicine Valley and Cut bank Valley
Arriving on foot or bicycle
Prior to 7am or after 3pm

See our FAQ below for specific details on all things Vehicle Reservations for 2025.

#1 First and foremost, what IS a vehicle reservation?

We’re glad you asked, because we know this seems a bit confusing.

First of all, you always need a park pass to enter Glacier National Park any day or time of year. A park pass and a vehicle reservation are not the same thing.

Next, think of a vehicle reservation as exactly that — a reservation for your car to enter these busier areas of Glacier National Park during the peak season. A reservation is not required in 2025 for The East side of Going-to-the-Sun Road at St.Mary, Two Medicine Valley, Cutbank, The Belly River or Camas Road entrance.

Glacier National Park has experienced record visitation and congestion issues in recent years. This will be the fifth year of the reservation system in the park, designed to manage high traffic volumes within the park and avoid gridlock. This management tool will continue to improve traffic flow along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, Many Glacier Valley and the North Fork area of Glacier, reduce crowding and congestion, and improve visitor experiences and safety.

#2 Do I need a Vehicle Reservation Ticket for guided adventures with Glacier Guides and Montana Raft?

No. If you’re going on an adventure with us, you don’t need a Vehicle Reservation to go into Glacier WITH us. If you plan to enter an Glacier National Park, with or without us, you still need to buy a park pass. This is NOT the same thing as a vehicle reservation. More info on Park Passes, vehicle reservations and the difference between them below.

RAFTING, FISHING, LODGE AND GUESTS HOUSES – If you’re going rafting or fishing with us, your reservation does NOT equal a Vehicle Reservation, as these activities occur OUTSIDE of the park. Additionally, our lodge and guest houses are located outside of Glacier National Park

HIKING/BACKPACKING/CHALET TOURS – If you’re going into the park WITH US you do not need a vehicle reservation. For example, if you’re joining us for hiking, backpacking or chalet trip, you’ll be driving into the park WITH us, so therefore you will NOT need a vehicle reservation. If you are going into the park WITHOUT us through the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road or North Fork Area of the park from June 13th-September 28th, 7am-3pm, you will need a Vehicle Reservation. Information about Many Glacier will soon be released.

BIKING – If you’re going on a guided bike tour with us, you do not need a vehicle reservation, because you will be passing the Apgar Check Point WITH us. Similarly, if you reserve a spot on our bike shuttle, you do not need a vehicle reservation.

Please note: A bike rental does not equal a vehicle reservation. If you plan to park in Apgar and either ride your bike or walk past the vehicle reservation check point, you do not need a vehicle reservation. If you plan to DRIVE past the vehicle reservation check point with your bike rental, you need a vehicle reservation.

Here are some examples. In all of these scenarios, let’s say it’s early June and the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to vehicles at Avalanche Lake.

#1: You rent a bike from Glacier Guides & Montana Raft with the intent to bike the road but plan to drive to Avalanche, between the hours of 6am and 3pm, park your car, and begin your ride from there. In this example, you will need a vehicle reservation.

#2: Same example as above, but you plan to drive past the Apgar check point after 3pm or prior to 6am. You do not need a vehicle reservation.

#3: You rent a bike from us and book a spot on our bike shuttle You’re covered, you don’t need a vehicle reservation.

#4: You rent a bike from us and park your car in Apgar with the intent to ride your bike past the Apgar check point. In this scenario, you do not need a vehicle reservation.

#5: You decide to join one of our amazing guides on a guided bike or e-bike trip. Again, you’re covered, you don’t need a vehicle reservation.

#6: You want to bike the road beginning on the east side and travel west on Going-to-the-Sun Road. You don’t need a vehicle reservation at St. Mary in 2025.

In all of these scenarios, you need a park pass. A park pass is required any day or time of year to enter Glacier National Park.

#3 What is the different between a park pass and a vehicle reservation?

A vehicle reservation is required in certain areas of Glaicer National Park during peak season and hours. Vehicle reservations are only required between June 13th and September 28th, 7am-3pm for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and The North Fork Area of the Park. More information on the Many Glacier Entrance is yet to come . The first year Glacier National Park implemented the vehicle reservation system was in 2021.

A Park Pass is and always has been required, no matter the time of year, to enter every entrance at Glacier National Park.

#4 When do I need a Vehicle Reservation?

If you’re driving a vehicle or a motorcycle, you need an Vehicle Reservation from from June 13th – September 28th, 7am-3pm beyond Apgar near the foot of Lake McDonald and North Fork entrance of the park.

Each of these locations will be require a separate reservation.

Once again in 2025, visitors will be able to access the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side beyond Rising Sun without a vehicle reservation. Visitors will also have access to the St. Mary Visitor Center and shuttle stop on the east side of Glacier National Park, as in previous summers.

Visitors arriving on foot or bicycle do not require a Vehicle reservation.

Again, these service reservations must be for lodging/activities offered within entrances that require a vehicle reservation. For example, if you’re going on a boat ride in Many Glacier, that service reservation ticket will NOT provide you an Vehicle Reservation Ticket to the Sun Road, as Many Glacier is not located in the Sun Road corridor. Another example: service reservation tickets for activities outside of the park, such as rafting, will NOT provide you an Vehicle Reservation Ticket to the Sun Road, as rafting is located outside of the park.

#5 How do I get a vehicle reservation?

Vehicle reservations will be available on https://www.recreation.gov/, the Recreation.gov mobile app, or the Recreation.gov Call Center (Reservation Line: 877-444-6777). Each of the specified areas of the park will require a separate reservation. Visitors will need to set up an account on Recreation.gov to obtain reservations. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.

Pursuant to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, vehicle reservations are not required for tribal members throughout the park.Vehicle reservations will be available through two booking windows.

A portion of reservations will be available 120 days, approximately four months, in advance starting on February 12th, 2025, at 8 a.m. MST on a rolling basis on Recreation.gov.

(Example, to book for June 15th, you must get your reservation on February 15th, for June 14th, get your reservation February 14th, for June 15th you will get your reservation on February 15th and so on and so forth.)

The remaining vehicle reservations will be available at 7 p.m. MDT for next-day entry starting on June 12th, 2025.

*Reservation Tip From The Folks at Recreation.Gov: Login to your Recreation.gov account, or create an account if you don’t have one, at least 10 minutes before tickets go on sale and make a plan to book online to avoid delays.* The next round of reservations will be released on May 1st for September 1st-September 8th.

#6 Other than the Vehicle Reservation, what else do I need?

You need your photo ID, i.e. the person applying for the Vehicle Reservation for the Sun Road or the North Fork area should be in the vehicle with their photo I.D. You also need your Entrance Pass for Glacier National Park.

A Vehicle Reservation and a Park Entrance Pass into Glacier are not the same thing.
We recommend purchasing your Entrance Pass in advance, here on recreation.gov.
If you’re renting a car, don’t panic when you get to the screen requesting your license plate info. Click on the drop down menu and change personal car to rental car, and that requirement goes away.
You’ll need your Entrance Pass to access any Glacier entrances, too.
Seven-day, annual, or lifetime Entrance Passes can be purchased online or at park entrance stations with a credit card.

#7 Where does the West Glacier Vehicle Reservation begin?

Vehicle reservations will begin on the west side at the foot of Lake McDonald. Visitors will be able to access Apgar Village amenities, including the Apgar Visitor Center, without a vehicle reservation. Lodging, camping (including front country developed campgrounds and backcountry camping permits), transportation, or commercial activity reservations originating in Apgar will not provide access beyond the Apgar filter check point.

#8 Do I have to purchase my Vehicle Reservation at recreation.gov?

Yes, you do.

Reservations will NOT be available at park entrance stations or park offices. If a visitor arrives at an entrance requiring a vehicle reservation without an vehicle reservation, they will be turned away. Visitors can go online at www.Recreation.gov to see if an vehicle reservation ticket is available for that day. This may be possible if vehicle reservation are not sold out.

Note: cell service in and around Glacier National Park is limited. Visitors are encouraged to secure day-use vehicle reservations prior to arriving at the park. Limited cell service is available in West Glacier. Wi-Fi may be available in surrounding communities. Many public libraries and hotels provide free computer access.

#9 How much does the Vehicle Reservation cost?

Reservations are free but require a $2 nonrefundable reservation processing fee.

#10 What is the process to purchase a Vehicle Reservation like?

First, you’ll need to register for an account on recreation.gov
Next, log on 4 months before your desired trip date. For example, if you’re planning to be in Glacier Nationl Park on June 20th and you know you’ll enter the park between the hours of 7am and 3pm, log on to recreation.gov on February 20th to obtain your vehicle reservation. Your reservation will be good for one day.
Visitors who purchase an vehicle reservation will receive an email confirmation from recreation.gov with an attached vehicle reservation.
Print out a copy of your vehicle reservation or download on your mobile device or on the www.Recreation.gov mobile app prior to arriving at the park.

#11 What if I decide I don’t need my Vehicle Reservation? Can I sell it?

No. Vehicle Reservations are non-transferable and resale or auction of reservations is prohibited.

You are encouraged to turn your reservation back in on recreation.gov so that it can be re-allocated!

#12 How long is the Vehicle Reservation good for?

All vehicle reservations will be good for one day.

#13 Do I need a separate online Vehicle Reservation for each day I visit the park?

Yes. Vehicle reservations are only good for one day in 2025

#14 I’m walking, hiking, or riding my bicycle into the park. Do I need a Vehicle Reservation?

No, you do not. So, if you get here and you don’t have a reservation, we recommend renting a bike!

Additionally, if you rent a bike and would like a ride into The Park, take a look at our bike shuttle. This shuttle books fast in the early summer, so we suggest booking sooner rather than later.

You need an park pass, of course, anytime you’re in the park.

#15 Does my Vehicle Reservation guarantee me a parking spot?

No. Parking will continue to be in demand at popular locations such as Avalanche, Logan Pass, Many Glacier and St. Mary Falls areas.

#16 Should I stress about vehicle reservations into Glacier Park?

Don’t stress! The decision to implement vehicle reservations into Glacier Park, specifically on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, is NOT the end of your vacation. It’s also not going to forever ruin your life if you’re a local. Get organized, get your plan together, and get ready to get your Vehicle Reservation!

We hope that our collective experiences on the Sun Road, the North Fork and Many Glacier valley will be richer than they have been in recent years. We hope there will be more spaces to park in, less people on trails located off the Sun Road, less pressure on wildlife and sensitive vegetation, and in general more room to fully explore this stunning area of Glacier National Park.

#17 What things can I do outside of The Park before 3pm?

If you’re not able to get a vehicle reservation, don’t stress! We have plenty of ideas for you:
1. Head out on a backpacking trip with yours truly!
We get permits in place in February, and they’re pretty special, so give us a call to plan your trip and head into Glacier’s beautiful backcountry for a week of pure bliss.
2. Full Day Rafting
This is the perfect amount of time on the water, with a riverside lunch, before heading into The Park at 3pm.
3. Nature Walk
This easy half day trip in Glacier is a great introduction to The Park. You’ll learn about Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, forest fire science, history of early settlers, and river ecology, while enjoying the views along two different, short trails.
4. Day Hikes
No vehicle reservation here! When you hike with us, we take care of it for you. We’ve got a different hike each day of the week, take a look at our website to see which one fits your fancy.
5. Bike & E-bike Rentals
No reservation required when you ride a bike into The Park! Take our self-guided tour through Glacier’s west side right from our office. Ask us where to go when you grab your bike – we’ve got a picture perfect route!
6. Half-Day Rafting
It’s hot weather season in Montana, and we’ve got the perfect way to cool you down – rafting on the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork of The Flathead River! Throughout the warm weekend, we have four whitewater and two scenic launches per day and beginning Monday, July 1st, we will shift to hourly departures. In short, there’s no reason NOT to go rafting with all the ample opportunity right at your fingertips! Book online with promo code WHITEWATER to receive 10% off regularly scheduled half-day trips. Interested in rafting tomorrow or very soon? Give us a call to check availability!
7. Fishing
On the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River, the combination of crystalline blue-green water and multi-colored rocks creates outstanding cold water trout habitat, with the added bonus of Glacier National Park in the backdrop.
(Limited availability, call to inquire)

Bottom Line: Our rafting and fishing trips DO NOT take place inside of Glacier National Park, so these trips will not get you into The Park. You must be traveling INTO The Park with us from OUTSIDE OF THE PARK. If you’re joining an east side hike and are staying on the east side, give us a call or shoot us an email so we can plan a meeting point outside of the park to travel into The Park together. Additionally, your bike rental DOES NOT count as a vehicle reservation. When we are running our bike shuttle before Going-to-the-Sun Road opens to cars, you always need a Park Pass, but you do not need a vehicle reservation. If you’re renting a bike and driving yourself into The Park on the West Side or at The North Fork, you need BOTH a Park Pass AND a vehicle reservation from May 24th-September 8th, 6am-3pm and for Many Glacier beginning July 1st until September 24th, 6am-3pm

#18 We have reservations for other — not Glacier Guides and Montana Raft — commercial services/campgrounds/guides/lodging/etc on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Will we have to just show proof of our reservation or will they send us Vehicle ReservationTickets?

You will need to show proof of your reservation, so have it downloaded to your phone for access without wifi/cell service, or printed out. No entry tickets will be sent from commercial services. When in doubt, check with the company your reservation is with. We cannot answer questions for other Glacier Park partners, such as the Glacier Park Boat Co.

#19 How much is an Entrance Pass?

The entrance fee for Glacier National Park is $35.00 per vehicle ($30 for motorcycles) and is good for seven days.
The nonrefundable $2.00 GTSR vehicle reservation is in addition to the entrance fee and is also valid for 3 days for the Going to the Sun Road. The park will offer one-day tickets for the North Fork area of the park, Two Medicine and Many Glacier.
If you hold a valid Interagency Annual/Lifetime Pass or a Glacier National Park Annual Pass, you will only have to purchase the $2.00 nonrefundable vehicle reservation ticket.

#20 Do I have to purchase my Entrance Pass at recreation.gov?

No, you don’t, but we recommend saving time and purchasing online before your trip. Again, if you’re renting a car, don’t panic when you get to the screen requesting your license plate info. Click on the drop down menu and change personal car to rental car, and that requirement goes away.

#21 What about camping? Do I need a reservation?

Campgrounds in Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor:

Avalanche Campground: Typically opens in mid-July with potential to open earlier depending on when Going-to-the-Sun Road fully opens for the season and requires advance camping reservations.
Fish Creek Campground: Typically opens in late May and will require an advance camping reservation.
Rising Sun Campground: Typically opens in early June on a first come, first served basis. Visitors without a vehicle reservation will have access to the first come, first served campground.
Sprague Creek Campground: Typically opens in late May and will require an advance camping reservation.
St. Mary Campground: Typically opens in late May for advance camping reservations will be required.

Vehicle Reservations are required for West side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and The North Fork June 13th through September 28th, 2025. Visitors with camping reservations within Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor can use their camping reservation for entry in lieu of a vehicle reservation to gain access to the portion of the park for which they have a reservation.

Campgrounds in the North Fork Area:

Bowman Lake Campground: Typically opens mid-May on a first come, first serve basis.
Kintla Lake Campground: Typically opens in late May on a first come, first serve basis.
Quartz Creek Campground: Typically opens in late May to primitive* camping on a first come, first serve basis.
Logging Creek Campground: Typically opens in late May to primitive* camping on a first come, first serve basis.

Vehicle Reservations are required for the North Fork Area June 13th through September 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Campgrounds in the North Fork area will be assigned first come, first served at the Polebridge Entrance Station.

Two Medicine Campground: Typically opens early June and will require an advance reservation.

Many Glacier Campground: Typically opens early June and will require an advance camping reservation.

#22 Is there anything else to know about wilderness permits in Glacier for 2024?

New for 2024, the standard group size is one to eight campers and additional permits will be required for larger groups of nine to twelve campers.

Early Access Lotteries for 2024 Wilderness Permits
Beginning in the spring of 2024, Glacier National Park will offer early access lotteries for wilderness camping advance reservations. See the question below for more information.

General On-Sale Period
The general on-sale period (first come, first served online reservation system, as used in 2023) will begin on May 1 at 8:00 am MT and run through September 30 11:59 pm MT.
Fees for the general on-sale system will remain the same as in 2023 ($10 permit fee; $7/person per night camping fee).
All advance reservation campsites not taken in the large and standard group lotteries will be available for online advance reservations on Recreation.gov on May 1 at 8:00 am MT.

Walk-in Permits
Approximately 30 percent of wilderness campsites parkwide will be available on a walk-in basis (day before or day of a trip start date) from May 1 through September 30 at Wilderness Permit Office locations throughout the park; this is the same as the current system used for walk-in permits.

Any advance reservation sites not booked during the early access lotteries or general on-sale period (more than 48 hours in advance of trip start date) will be added to the available pool of walk-in reservations.

A Recreation.gov account is necessary to make reservations. Visit the Recreation.gov website to create an account or to log in to an already existing account.

Backpackers are encouraged to secure a reservation early because of high demand. The most efficient way to book your wilderness backpacking trip is online via Recreation.gov. Reservations can also be made by contacting the Recreation.gov call center at 877-444-6777.

To provide an alternative way of obtaining a permit for groups larger than four, the park will retain the use of the Pay.gov site for a one-day application period for mid-size and large group permits.

*PRO TIP* Avoid worrying about a permit when you book a backpacking trip with us. We have the best Glacier National Park backpacking permits and we take care all of the nitty gritty so you don’t have to. We offer beautiful backcountry guided adventures lasting 3, 4, and 6 days as well as private backpacking trips. Visit our backpacking page for more information

#23 What's the deal with the early access lotteries for 2024 wilderness permits?

Beginning in the spring of 2024, Glacier National Park will offer early access lotteries for wilderness camping advance reservations in collaboration with Recreation.gov.

Two early access lotteries will be available. One for standard groups of one to eight people and the secong for large groups of nine to twelve people. The new standard of one to eight campers will be an increase from what was allowed in 2023.

After the lotteries, visitors will also be able to use the general on-sale system to book advance reservation campsites not booked during the early access lotteries. The wilk-in permit process and availability will remain the same as in 2023.

Early Access Lotteries
The lotteries will be based on a fair and randomized process to provide equal opportunity for each applicant. Participants will be limited to a single reservation during the early access period but may create additional reservations during the general on-sale period beginning May 1 or by walk-in.

On March 1, 2024, from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm mountain time (MT), lottery applications will be accepted for a chance to secure a large group (9-12 campers) advance reservation. A total of five (5) large group advance reservations will be selected from all submissions.

On March 15, 2024, from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm MT, lottery applications will be accepted for a chance to secure a standard group (1-8 campers) advance reservation. A total of 3,000 standard group advance reservations will be selected from all submissions.

There will be a $10 non-refundable fee to enter each lottery regardless of success. Successful lottery applicants will not have to pay an additional permit fee to book their reservations because the $10 lottery application fee will rollover to become the permit fee for bookings.

There will not be an option to apply for the early access lotteries via walk-in

#24 Will road construction from Apgar to Lake McDonald be completed this year?

Road construction on this specific stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road is set to be completed for 2024. We will update this page with 2024 construction announcements.

#25 Will park entrances still experience closures due to congestion?

As in past years, entry will be temporarily restricted in areas of the park that become too congested for visitor safety and resource protection. Parking at Logan Pass, Apgar Village, and other areas may be unavailable. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of free shuttles for hiker access to Logan Pass although waits for shuttles may be long depending on the time and location. Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit outside of peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Visitors with service reservations (e.g., boat tours, lodging, horseback ride, guided hikes) in these areas will be permitted entry during temporary restrictions.

Even More Info About Vehicle Reservations For Glacier Park

Read all about Glacier National Park vehicle reservations straight from the NPS.
Glacier National Park is updating their Vehicle Reservation FAQ here.
Read more about the Going-to-the-Sun Road here.

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We did the 3 day backpacking trip with Tom a few weeks ago. It was the BEST experience we could have asked for! We will book again if we get the chance. Unforgettable views and experience. Not to mention the food Tom made with just one little burner was perfect.

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Thank you to Glacier Guides, and more specifically my guide Jeremy for making my 6 day backpacking trip through Glacier such an amazing experience. Jeremy was knowledgeable, patient, prepared, an excellent cook, and a pretty cool dude. Would definitely recommend Glacier Guides to anyone visiting Glacier NP.

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