Glacier National Park: Autumn Schedule Begins This Weekend
Trail and Backcountry Access on East-Side Going-to-the-Sun Road Limited
WEST GLACIER, MONT. –
The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the
east side
of Glacier National Park will be Sunday, October 4. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground beginning Monday, October 5 to allow for fall season rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the
west side
of the park through the 3
rd
weekend in October, weather permitting. Visitors can call 406-888-7800 (press 2) or visit
for current road status information.
The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side was originally planned to be September 20. However, road crews have made great progress on paving and road rehabilitation projects and are able to extend access to the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road through October 4. Road rehabilitation will continue through and after October 4. Visitors should anticipate some traffic delays. Some east side road pull-outs may be closed due to road work and fire hazards.
After October 4, hikers and bikers will have access to the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road on weekends and evenings, weather permitting. Some trails are closed on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road due to the Reynolds Creek Fire. For more information on status of trails and access, please contact the park or visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.
The Apgar Backcountry Permit Office is open 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through October 3. From October 4 through October 31, the hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Backcountry permits will be issued until 30 minutes prior to closing.
Times and locations for boat inspections for boats launching in Glacier National Park are changing. Inspections for the west side of the park will be conducted at the Apgar Backcountry Office, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily through the end of October. Boat inspections for the east side of the park, Many Glacier and Two Medicine areas, are by appointment only. Appointments are available by contacting the park at 406-888-7800.
The Apgar Visitor Center is open through October 12, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily, and then on weekends only through the winter. The St. Mary Visitor Center is open through October 4, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily. The Logan Pass Visitor Center closed on September 30.
Several campgrounds throughout the park have closed or changed to primitive status. Campgrounds in primitive status have pit toilets available, no potable or drinking water, limited number of sites, and fees are reduced to $10 per night. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and are reminded that any water taken from streams or lakes requires treatment before use. Current campground status is available at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm.
Autumn visitors to Glacier National Park will find less crowds, cooler temperatures, and changing vegetation colors. Area residents and visitors are reminded that the park is open year-round and park recreational opportunities can be found during all seasons.
For additional park information, visit the park’s website http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800. More information and images of the park can be also be located by visiting Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GlacierNPS.
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