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Glacier Guides and Montana Raft

Biking FAQ

What if the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to hiker/biker traffic?

Keep in mind that around here, we joke that we have two seasons, winter and road construction.  When roads are closed or are in rough shape for guided biking, we may reroute our trip to another area of Glacier National Park.  This may be an area which is open to vehicle traffic, such as the Camas Road. Alternatively, it may involve involve a van shuttle to a road on Glacier’s stunning east side, which will be several hours long. We’ll always keep you aware of your options.

How far is spring biking in Glacier National Park on the Going-to-the-Sun Road?

It depends. Read more here.

What are the restrictions on biking in Glacier National Park?

Starting June 15, first 8 miles of the Going to the Sun Road are restricted to bicycles between 11am and 4pm, i.e. from Apgar to Sprague. As summer unfolds and the Going to the Sun Road opens fully to vehicle traffic, other restrictions go into effect. From June 15th until Labor Day, east-bound/uphill bike traffic is prohibited from Logan Creek to Logan Pass between 11am and 4pm. Check the park’s biking page for the latest rules and regulations here.

Do I need bear spray for biking in Glacier National Park?

If you’re on a guided biking tour with us, your guide will have bear spray. If you’re not with us, we recommend carrying a can in one of the water bottle carriers on your bike — it’s always best practice to keep it handy!

You should also bring water, food, and layers — just like you would if you were hiking. Click here for our Glacier National Park Day Trips Packing List – Biking. And speaking of hiking, there will likely be hikers on the road – share the road, please.

Can my dog go, too?

Sorry, no. During the spring, pets are not permitted past the road closure gates, which are typically at Lake McDonald Lodge or Avalanche on the West Side, and at Rising Sun on the east.

Are electric bikes permitted on the Going to the Sun Road?

  • Yes, Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are allowed if the motor is less than 750 watts (1 hp) and engaged only while pedaling. Read more here.

Does renting a bike get me into the park without a vehicle reservation?

No! In order to get into the park WITHOUT a vehicle reservation, you need to be traveling into the park WITH us. For example, if you take our bike shuttle, you do not need a vehicle reservation. Another way to avoid a vehicle reservation is if you plan to ride a bike INTO the park. If you plan to drive yourself into the park, you MUST have a vehicle reservation for Going-To-The-Sun Road corridor (West Glacier, Camas, North Fork area) May 27th-September 10th between 6am-3pm and St. Mary at Rising Sun, Two Medicine and Many Glacier July 1st-September 10th, 6am-3pm. You will always need a park pass, this is not the same thing as a vehicle reservation.

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  • Biking Testimonial

    Used Glacier Guides/Montana Raft Company for a bike trip up the Going to the Sun road in West Glacier and a white water rafting trip on the Flathead River. Jordan was our guide for the former, Blaine for the latter, and both were really awesome. Would definitely use them again for future hikes, biking, and rafting.

    — Joe Themig

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  • Group Trip Testimonial

    Our Tuesday half-day guided group hike on the Highline Trail at Logan’s Pass was exciting and literally breathtaking. Jen and Ryan were our guides and were excellent. Billed as a “moderate” hike, the 7-mile round trip hike had some steep inclines, but Jen set a steady pace and seemed to know exactly when the group needed a breather. Ryan gave her credit as the creative chef for the excellent lunch Glacier Guides provided. Be sure to follow the company’s recommendation to dress in layers. Our morning started out with rain and a chill in the air, but the skies eventually turned blue and warm. Bring your camera to capture the natural beauty of the area, including the wildlife. At one point, we were even sharing the trail with a bighorn sheep! We will definitely use Glacier Guides again on our next trip to Montana and will likely book a different day of the week to experience a different trail. Enjoy!

    — Allyn G

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  • Chalet Testimonial

    Our family of 5 just returned from the 3 day chalet trip with Ryan and Eva and WOW! We’re still coming down from the amazing time we had! First of all, both these guides are just really cool people, super knowledgeable about the history and ecology of the park, and clearly enthusiastic about what they do. The Highline Trail was stunning, Ryan and Eva made sure everyone was comfortable with the pace and pointed out animals, berries, and interesting features when we came across them. After the hike in it was awesome to have a delicious, hot meal prepared FOR us (we felt very fortunate for our dinner after watching the rest of the guest eat freeze dried stuff). I’m so grateful for the gentle push to do the two day hikes we did while up that way; they were so worth the climb and our time at the top of the Swiftcurrent Fire Lookout is one of the absolute highlights of this trip. I want to make a special mention of how great both of these guides where with our children, my boys especially bonded with Ryan and they probably talked both his and Eva’s ears all the way off over the duration of the trip but they were so cool about it. Overall this trip was one we will never forget and always cherish and the fantastic guides and process with your company really made it that much more enjoyable. We hope to come back someday for more adventures!

    — Tiphini Axtell

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  • Chalet Testimonial

    Glacier Guides three day Chalet backpacking trip is about as good as it gets. You get the opportunity to do backcountry hiking led by experienced guides AND you can leave the 40 pound backpack home! All food and sleeping quarters are provided at the Granite Chalet as you day hike through the beauty of Glacier National. Our group was a fun and interesting bunch from all over the U.S. that loved the outdoors and who were very pleasant companions. A great experience run by a truly professional company.

    — Alwaysout68

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  • Our Guides

    Our guide Scott did a great job prepping and leading the tour, which consisted of 6 guests (including myself). The description of the tour and FAQ/prep materials list and itinerary that the company sent over beforehand were very accurate and super helpful! Aside from a quick hail storm, we got great weather and an extremely enjoyable three days of hiking in East Glacier crossing the Continental Divide. Scott did an excellent job of explaining to us how the backcountry permitting system works and from that explanation I was amazed at the amount of work that each guide must put into every single tour. They are truly responsible for everything while you’re out, so having an experienced guide with the right temperament and attitude are a must—especially if things go wrong. I’m glad to say everything went as planned! I was able to spot several animals and some breathtaking scenery alongside good conversation within our group of former strangers. Great job, Scott and Glacier Guides!

    — Ryan Gabbart

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