Glacier National Park — Visitor Information
Glacier is open year-round, and no vehicle reservation is required in 2026. But most of the park — including the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road — is only fully accessible from roughly late May through September, and overnight backcountry trips need their own permit. Here's what to know before you go.
Page content last verified: July 2026
Visitor Centers
Most visitor centers close in late September/early October and reopen late May — tap one for official hours & facility info.
Hours vary by season — confirm current hours on the official NPS operating hours page before you go.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Every vehicle entering Glacier needs a park pass — the park is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card.
- Private vehicle: $35 summer / $25 winter (Nov 1–Apr 30), valid 7 days
- Motorcycle: $30 summer / $20 winter, valid 7 days
- Per person (on foot/bike, age 16+): $20 summer / $15 winter, valid 7 days
- Glacier Annual Pass: $70 (Glacier only)
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 — covers Glacier and every other federal fee site
Note: non-U.S. residents (age 16+) pay an additional $100/person fee unless entering with an Annual or America the Beautiful pass.
Free Entrance Days (2026)
Feb 16 · May 25 · Jun 14 · Jul 3–5 · Aug 25 (NPS's 110th birthday) · Sep 17 · Oct 27 · Nov 11
Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass
Every U.S. 4th grader (and their family, in the same vehicle) can get a free annual pass covering entrance to Glacier and every other federal fee site. Get it at everykidoutdoors.gov or at any entrance station.
Getting Around & Shuttles
Glacier runs a free shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road during summer — a good way to avoid the Logan Pass parking crunch. Fee-based options include the historic Red Bus tours and Sun Tours (Blackfeet-guided), plus a seasonal Hiker's Shuttle connecting West Glacier, Apgar, Lake McDonald Lodge, St. Mary, and Many Glacier (reservations required).
Full schedules on the official getting-around page — shuttle dates shift with road opening.
Permits & Reservations
You do not need a permit to enter the park or day-hike. You do need one for:
Wilderness (Backcountry) Camping
A wilderness permit is required year-round for any overnight backcountry stay. Advance reservations are available for the busy season; in fall/winter, permits are issued in person up to 24 hours ahead at the Apgar Wilderness Permit Office.
Campgrounds & RV Options
Glacier has 13 frontcountry campgrounds — 7 reservation-based and 6 first-come, first-served. First-come sites are smaller, more remote, and have fewer amenities; arrive early in summer, as they fill fast. Fees and RV length limits change year to year — use the links below for current details.
In-park lodges (Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, and others) book separately — see the campground & lodging overview.
Good to Know
- Going-to-the-Sun Road: typically doesn't fully open until late June or early July, and can close by mid-October — dates shift every year with snowpack.
- Bears: very active throughout the park — carry bear spray and know how to use it.
- No fuel stations: there are no gas stations inside Glacier's boundaries.
- Water safety: water is the number one cause of fatalities in the park — use extreme caution near rivers and lakes.
More National Parks
See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.
Fees, road opening dates, vehicle reservation policy, and permit rules change from year to year — Glacier's own reservation requirement has changed multiple seasons in a row. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Glacier National Park site before you go.
Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Operating Hours & Seasons · NPS – Getting Around · NPS – Wilderness Camping · NPS – Reservation Campgrounds · NPS – First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds · NPS – Current Conditions & Alerts
