GLACIER NATIONAL PARK — Going-to-the-Sun Road is open for the season, and this year there are some changes to the vehicle reservation system, including Apgar area being accessible to visitors without a vehicle reservation.
Apgar is now open to visitors without a vehicle registration, providing easier access to Lake McDonald, dining, shopping, lodging, the Apgar Visitors Center, and park shuttles.
“And so far it’s going okay, but we haven’t hit that peak point of visitation. So we know that as the summer heats up and more people come to the park, Apgar may become more congested,” said Glacier National Park spokeswoman Gina Icenoggle.
Other changes to the vehicle reservation system this year include reservations becoming available at 7 p.m. the night before you wish to enter. Additionally, no reservations are needed to enter the East entrance at St. Mary’s.
“The tricky part about that the visitors need to remember is if they come over — westbound from the east side — they should not go through that checkpoint if they don’t have a vehicle reservation. Because if they come through the west side checkpoint at Apgar near the Apgar campground, they’re not going to be able to go back in to return back over the past without a vehicle reservation until 3 p.m. Reservations are required from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.” – Glacier National Park spokeswoman Gina Icenoggle.
There are also new biking restrictions on Going-to-the-Sun Road this summer. Bikers cannot travel east or west on the road between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. when traffic is at its maximum.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road opened to vehicles on June 22, which falls within the average opening dates of mid-June to early July.
“This year, Mother Nature just continued to present challenges at the higher elevations, but our crew persevered and finally managed to get it open,” said Icenoggle.
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For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the park will host stargazing parties at Logan Pass on July 26, Aug. 9, and Sept. Tickets are required and go on sale the day before the event at the Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Center bookstores.
As always, the safety of park visitors is a top priority for park rangers, and with Glacier National Park’s unique microclimate, visitors must be prepared for any weather, even in the summer.
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“But it’s Montana; you know you can have any kind of weather anytime. We can have snow on the Fourth of July at Logan Pass. So always be prepared — be prepared if it’s warm out and you’re hiking. Stay hydrated,” Icenoggle advised. “We also have bears in the park, so have your bear spray with you.
“And this time of year we still have runoff in our rivers. The rivers are moving fast, they’re high, and they’re very cold. So use extra precaution around water when you’re in the park to enjoy those beautiful pristine waters while staying safe,” Icenoggle concluded.
