Montana glacier national park

[Anonymous]

For those have gone, do you recommend the going to the sun road entrance or north fork road entrance to west glacier? Have never been and are they are about 10 minute between them, but if only have time to enter 1- and looks like reservation system would only let us pick one, which would you do? North Fork reads more remote (dirt road) but cannot tell if we’d ultimately find that good or bad. We will have 4 wheel drive, but is one entrance the “smarter” choice from safety standpoint if we are physically fit/know how to change tire but otherwise not extreme hikers? I guess asking, do tourists stick to the paved going to the sun road and locals and extreme hikers go to north fork? Thanks,

[Anonymous]

I would ask this question in a local Montana forum. Or just call up the park and talk to a ranger. This is a very specialized question, and even though I've been to Glacier twice, I have. no idea how to answer it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would ask this question in a local Montana forum. Or just call up the park and talk to a ranger. This is a very specialized question, and even though I've been to Glacier twice, I have. no idea how to answer it.

Agreed

[Anonymous]

Went last summer and spent 2 days in the park. Went in both days via the main West Glacier entrance. We didn't get there until late morning, so maybe earlier the lines were longer, but didn't have significant waits either at the park entrance (to buy entrance ticket or show already bought ticket), nor at the car line to confirm the GTTSR daily reservation (maybe 10 minutes each day for this). You will have to do the 2nd one no matter which entrance you use, so I'd just go with the West Glacier entrance personally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went last summer and spent 2 days in the park. Went in both days via the main West Glacier entrance. We didn't get there until late morning, so maybe earlier the lines were longer, but didn't have significant waits either at the park entrance (to buy entrance ticket or show already bought ticket), nor at the car line to confirm the GTTSR daily reservation (maybe 10 minutes each day for this). You will have to do the 2nd one no matter which entrance you use, so I'd just go with the West Glacier entrance personally.

All this said, obviously we don't really know how things are going to look this summer, but this is a bad start.

https://www.chron.com/life/wildlife/article/texas-parks-lines-layoffs-20184426.php

[Anonymous]

I’ve been to glacier many times and if it’s your first time, there’s no need to visit the north fork entrance unless you’re wanting to visit bowman lake or beyond for a specific reason. Eventually, the road dead ends up there. It can get extremely bumpy even just going to Bowman Lake…and going further it gets much worse.

You are not missing out on anything by skipping north fork and I didn’t visit this area for years as the rest of the park will keep you plenty busy.

If your reason is to visit Polebridge, you can get there without a reservation as the north fork station is after polebridge.

[Anonymous]

If have only less than 1 full day, would you recommend driving as far into park and then working backwards to entrance/exit? 2 trails recommended to us after going in “Sun” are trail of the Cedars and Sun Nature Trail. Thoughts on which to do first or recommend something else? This is an unplanned trip for us out to area and since not sure when would ever be back, want to take it in as can. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those have gone, do you recommend the going to the sun road entrance or north fork road entrance to west glacier? Have never been and are they are about 10 minute between them, but if only have time to enter 1- and looks like reservation system would only let us pick one, which would you do? North Fork reads more remote (dirt road) but cannot tell if we’d ultimately find that good or bad. We will have 4 wheel drive, but is one entrance the “smarter” choice from safety standpoint if we are physically fit/know how to change tire but otherwise not extreme hikers? I guess asking, do tourists stick to the paved going to the sun road and locals and extreme hikers go to north fork? Thanks,

What? Is this for a guided tour or something? I just showed up everytime I went and drove on in (have an annual NP pass) usually east to west is the best direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those have gone, do you recommend the going to the sun road entrance or north fork road entrance to west glacier? Have never been and are they are about 10 minute between them, but if only have time to enter 1- and looks like reservation system would only let us pick one, which would you do? North Fork reads more remote (dirt road) but cannot tell if we’d ultimately find that good or bad. We will have 4 wheel drive, but is one entrance the “smarter” choice from safety standpoint if we are physically fit/know how to change tire but otherwise not extreme hikers? I guess asking, do tourists stick to the paved going to the sun road and locals and extreme hikers go to north fork? Thanks,

What? Is this for a guided tour or something? I just showed up everytime I went and drove on in (have an annual NP pass) usually east to west is the best direction.

To enter the GTTSR near Apgar in the summer, you need to have a daily vehicle reservation. You can get them online 4 months before your date of entry, but they are limited and go pretty quickly. They hold a pool of them to get the day before at 7 PM. It only costs $2, it's not a revenue thing, it's to control the number of people in the busiest part.of the park. I think 2024 was the first year they did it. We went last summer and the system seemed to work well, places were busy but not to the breaking point. We were able to get the vehicle reservation each day by going online at 7 PM on the dot, but I think if you didn't get online right on time they probably run out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those have gone, do you recommend the going to the sun road entrance or north fork road entrance to west glacier? Have never been and are they are about 10 minute between them, but if only have time to enter 1- and looks like reservation system would only let us pick one, which would you do? North Fork reads more remote (dirt road) but cannot tell if we’d ultimately find that good or bad. We will have 4 wheel drive, but is one entrance the “smarter” choice from safety standpoint if we are physically fit/know how to change tire but otherwise not extreme hikers? I guess asking, do tourists stick to the paved going to the sun road and locals and extreme hikers go to north fork? Thanks,

What? Is this for a guided tour or something? I just showed up everytime I went and drove on in (have an annual NP pass) usually east to west is the best direction.

To enter the GTTSR near Apgar in the summer, you need to have a daily vehicle reservation. You can get them online 4 months before your date of entry, but they are limited and go pretty quickly. They hold a pool of them to get the day before at 7 PM. It only costs $2, it's not a revenue thing, it's to control the number of people in the busiest part.of the park. I think 2024 was the first year they did it. We went last summer and the system seemed to work well, places were busy but not to the breaking point. We were able to get the vehicle reservation each day by going online at 7 PM on the dot, but I think if you didn't get online right on time they probably run out.

And at least last year you didn't need the vehicle reservation to enter GTTSR from East Glacier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those have gone, do you recommend the going to the sun road entrance or north fork road entrance to west glacier? Have never been and are they are about 10 minute between them, but if only have time to enter 1- and looks like reservation system would only let us pick one, which would you do? North Fork reads more remote (dirt road) but cannot tell if we’d ultimately find that good or bad. We will have 4 wheel drive, but is one entrance the “smarter” choice from safety standpoint if we are physically fit/know how to change tire but otherwise not extreme hikers? I guess asking, do tourists stick to the paved going to the sun road and locals and extreme hikers go to north fork? Thanks,

What? Is this for a guided tour or something? I just showed up everytime I went and drove on in (have an annual NP pass) usually east to west is the best direction.

To enter the GTTSR near Apgar in the summer, you need to have a daily vehicle reservation. You can get them online 4 months before your date of entry, but they are limited and go pretty quickly. They hold a pool of them to get the day before at 7 PM. It only costs $2, it's not a revenue thing, it's to control the number of people in the busiest part.of the park. I think 2024 was the first year they did it. We went last summer and the system seemed to work well, places were busy but not to the breaking point. We were able to get the vehicle reservation each day by going online at 7 PM on the dot, but I think if you didn't get online right on time they probably run out.

And at least last year you didn't need the vehicle reservation to enter GTTSR from East Glacier.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/vehicle-reservations.htm

[Anonymous]

A Going-to-the-Sun Road timed entry vehicle reservation is required for each vehicle or motorcycle accessing Going-to-the-Sun Road through the West Entrance past the Apgar Check Point from June 13 through September 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

A timed entry vehicle reservation is not required when entering through the St. Mary Entrance to access Going-to-the-Sun Road.

This reservation provides access for one private vehicle or one motorcycle to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road through the West Entrance past the Apgar Check Point from June 13 through September 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to a vehicle reservation, a park pass is required to enter the park. A Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation does not include a park pass, and the park pass does not serve as a vehicle reservation.

The entire Going-to-the-Sun Road does not usually open until late June at the earliest. Going-to-the-Sun Road timed entry vehicle reservations are sold prior to the full opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Check the park website for current road status or to sign up for text alerts. 

To avoid congestion-related delays, visitors are encouraged to use the St. Mary Entrance to access Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A Going-to-the-Sun Road timed entry vehicle reservation is required for each vehicle or motorcycle accessing Going-to-the-Sun Road through the West Entrance past the Apgar Check Point from June 13 through September 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

A timed entry vehicle reservation is not required when entering through the St. Mary Entrance to access Going-to-the-Sun Road.

This reservation provides access for one private vehicle or one motorcycle to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road through the West Entrance past the Apgar Check Point from June 13 through September 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to a vehicle reservation, a park pass is required to enter the park. A Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation does not include a park pass, and the park pass does not serve as a vehicle reservation.

The entire Going-to-the-Sun Road does not usually open until late June at the earliest. Going-to-the-Sun Road timed entry vehicle reservations are sold prior to the full opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Check the park website for current road status or to sign up for text alerts. 

To avoid congestion-related delays, visitors are encouraged to use the St. Mary Entrance to access Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

someone up thread posted the mile+ back up at national park in TX that people said have never seen before cuts and was backed up presidents weekend- think people wondering if will impact other parks too. On different thread know someone wondered if reservation systems could even be supported?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A Going-to-the-Sun Road timed entry vehicle reservation is required for each vehicle or motorcycle accessing Going-to-the-Sun Road through the West Entrance past the Apgar Check Point from June 13 through September 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

A timed entry vehicle reservation is not required when entering through the St. Mary Entrance to access Going-to-the-Sun Road.

This reservation provides access for one private vehicle or one motorcycle to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road through the West Entrance past the Apgar Check Point from June 13 through September 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to a vehicle reservation, a park pass is required to enter the park. A Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation does not include a park pass, and the park pass does not serve as a vehicle reservation.

The entire Going-to-the-Sun Road does not usually open until late June at the earliest. Going-to-the-Sun Road timed entry vehicle reservations are sold prior to the full opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Check the park website for current road status or to sign up for text alerts. 

To avoid congestion-related delays, visitors are encouraged to use the St. Mary Entrance to access Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

someone up thread posted the mile+ back up at national park in TX that people said have never seen before cuts and was backed up presidents weekend- think people wondering if will impact other parks too. On different thread know someone wondered if reservation systems could even be supported?

They are worried at Yosemite about the reservation system this summer being cut, which would lead to way too big of crowds at the park.

https://www.sfgate.com/california-parks/article/yosemite-national-park-in-chaos-20163260.php

Not sure if there will be similar issues at Glacier with their reservation system for GTTSR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A Going-to-the-Sun Road timed entry vehicle reservation is required for each vehicle or motorcycle accessing Going-to-the-Sun Road through the West Entrance past the Apgar Check Point from June 13 through September 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

A timed entry vehicle reservation is not required when entering through the St. Mary Entrance to access Going-to-the-Sun Road.

This reservation provides access for one private vehicle or one motorcycle to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road through the West Entrance past the Apgar Check Point from June 13 through September 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to a vehicle reservation, a park pass is required to enter the park. A Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation does not include a park pass, and the park pass does not serve as a vehicle reservation.

The entire Going-to-the-Sun Road does not usually open until late June at the earliest. Going-to-the-Sun Road timed entry vehicle reservations are sold prior to the full opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Check the park website for current road status or to sign up for text alerts. 

To avoid congestion-related delays, visitors are encouraged to use the St. Mary Entrance to access Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

someone up thread posted the mile+ back up at national park in TX that people said have never seen before cuts and was backed up presidents weekend- think people wondering if will impact other parks too. On different thread know someone wondered if reservation systems could even be supported?

They are worried at Yosemite about the reservation system this summer being cut, which would lead to way too big of crowds at the park.

https://www.sfgate.com/california-parks/article/yosemite-national-park-in-chaos-20163260.php

Not sure if there will be similar issues at Glacier with their reservation system for GTTSR.

But the issue at Yosemite looks to be that they haven't made the reservation system fully functional before, and may not have staff to fully put it in place before the summer. The system at Glacier is already fully in place, so hopefully it will be easy to just restart it in June.