Holiday Weekend at Glacier National Park

If you're planning a get away for Memorial Day this weekend...Glacier National Park may be the place to go. Some of the Visitor centers are open as well as some of the campgrounds. Read on for more information.

The Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Centers are open, as well as many of the campgrounds within Glacier National Park for the Memorial Day Weekend.  Hikers and bikers can enjoy unrestricted access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road over the holiday weekend, and several of the lodges and business located within the park will be open.

On the West Side of the park, there is vehicle access on the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Avalanche and on the east side vehicle traffic is open from St. Mary to Jackson Glacier Overlook.   It is anticipated that access to Logan Pass may be available mid to late June.

Apgar, Sprague Creek, Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake, and St. Mary Campgrounds are currently open.  Two Medicine, Rising Sun, and Many Glacier Campgrounds open Friday, May 25.  Specific information about each campground, including a map of the sites, operating dates, available services, current and historic fill times, and more is available by visiting http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm.

The Camas Road, Chief Mountain, Many Glacier, and Two Medicine Roads are open to motorized travel.  The Inside North fork Road is currently closed at Logging Creek Ranger Station and Fish Creek, due to flooding and downed trees.  The Cut Bank Road is closed.  For current road status visit the park’s website at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm.

Back-country permits are required for any back-country overnight visit.  Permits are available from the Apgar Back-Country Permit Office and the St. Mary Visitor Center, and from most of the ranger stations throughout the summer.

Lake McDonald Lodge is open, as are the boat tours with Glacier Park Boat Company on Lake McDonald.  Glacier Park Lodge, and Two Medicine Campstore will be open for the weekend, beginning Friday, May 25.  Swan Mountain Outfitters will begin trail rides, weather and trail conditions permitting, and guided hiking opportunities are available with Glacier Guides.   Tours with the Historic Red Buses are available through Glacier Park, Incorporated and tours offered by Sun Tours are available for the holiday weekend.  Privately-owned facilities in Apgar Village, including Eddie’s Cafe, Groceries and Gifts,   Montana House, Apgar Village Lodge, and Cedar Tree Gift Shop are open to visitors this weekend.

Visitors planning to boat within the park are reminded that all motorized watercraft require inspection and a permit before launching within the park. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, permits are available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at park headquarters in West Glacier, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at all other locations, including the St. Mary Visitor Center, Two Medicine Ranger Station, and Many Glacier Ranger Station. Boaters wishing to launch on Bowman Lake should obtain a permit at park headquarters, and proceed to Bowman Lake after the inspection.  Hand-propelled watercraft, such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts, and catarafts require a free self-certification permit. For more information and access to the self-certification permit visit: http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/ais.htm.

The weather forecast calls for possible rain this weekend, which may increase flooding and/or avalanche danger. Visitors are encouraged to be aware of changing weather conditions and plan accordingly. Stopping in avalanche paths is not recommended, and caution should be used with any activity near or in water.

For more information about Glacier National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm, or call 406-888-7800.