Fall Schedule Begins at Glacier National Park
Free Shuttle Service Operates Through Monday, September 7
WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Operating hours for many visitor services including campgrounds, concession operations, boat inspections, and backcountry permits in Glacier National Park are changing as the fall season approaches.
The free shuttle transportation service accessing Logan Pass and locations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road will operate through Monday, September 7.
The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side of Glacier National Park will be Sunday, October 4th. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground beginning Monday, October 5th 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 3rd weekend in October, weather permitting.
The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side was originally planned to be September 20th. 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 4th. Road rehabilitation will continue through and after October 4th. Visitors should anticipate some traffic delays. Some east side road pull-outs may be closed due to road work and fire hazards.
After October 4th, 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, click HERE.
Campground | Closing Dates (Through night of dates listed) | Primitive Camping Operating Dates (No water available) |
Apgar | October 11 | Primitive camping in picnic area October 12–31 and April 1-May 1: $10 per night; November 1–March 31: Free with valid entrance pass; |
Avalanche | September 13 | Closes for season 12 noon September 14; |
Bowman Lake | September 13 | Primitive camping September 14–October 31 weather dependent: $10 per night; November 1 through closure: Free with valid entrance pass; |
Cut Bank | September 27 | Operated in primitive status all season, closes Noon September 28 |
Fish Creek | September 6 | Operated as a National Recreation Reservation Campground; Closes 12 noon September 7; |
Kintla Lake | September 13 | Primitive Camping May 20- June 11, $10 per night Primitive camping September 14–October 31 weather dependent: $10 per night; November 1 through closure: Free with valid entrance pass; |
Logging Creek | September 20 | Primitive camping all season; Closes 12 noon September 21; |
Many Glacier | September 27 | Primitive Camping September 28–October 31 weather permitting: $10 per night; |
Quartz Creek | October 30 | Primitive camping all season; Closes 12 noon October 31; |
Rising Sun | September 13 | Closed for season; |
Sprague Creek | September 13 | Closes 12 noon September 14; |
St. Mary | September 20 | September 8-20: $20 per night; Primitive Camping September 21–October 31; November 1–March 31: Free with valid entrance pass; April 1–regular season opening in May: $10 per night; |
Two Medicine | September 27 | Primitive camping September 28–October 31 weather permitting: $10 per night; |
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 reminded that any water taken from streams or lakes requires treatment before use. Current campground status is available HERE.
The Apgar Back-Country 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. Back-country permits will be issued until 30 minutes prior to closing.
Hours of operation to conduct boat inspections and receive permits will also change this fall:
West-Side Boat Inspections | |
Summer season – September 7 September 8 – October 3 October 4 – October 31 November 1 – May 1 | 7:00am- 7:00pm, Headquarters Office 7:00am to 4:00pm, Apgar Back-Country Office 8:00am to 4:00pm Apgar Back-Country Office Call for current time and inspection locations (406-888-7800) |
East-Side Boat Inspections | |
Summer season – September 19 September 20 – late May | 8:00am to 4:00pm, St. Mary Visitor Center, Two Medicine Ranger Station, and Many Glacier Ranger Station Call for current time and inspection locations (406-888-7800) |
Many concessioner services will begin closing mid-September including lodging, transportation, food service, retail shops, and boat rentals:
Belton Chalets, Inc.
Location | Closing |
Granite Park Chalet | September 12 (after breakfast) |
Sperry Chalet | September 12 (after breakfast) |
Boat tours and rentals:
Location | Last day of operations |
Apgar (rentals only) | Currently closed |
Lake McDonald | September 20 |
Many Glacier | September 18 |
Rising Sun (tours only) | Currently closed |
Two Medicine | September 7 |
Glacier National Park Lodges/Xanterra (Central reservations: 855-733-4522 or http://www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/) Front country lodging, food and beverage services, retail, tour and transportation services:
Location | Closing |
Lake McDonald Lodge & Camp Store | September 30 (after breakfast) |
Jammer Joe’s Restaurant | September 13 (after dinner) |
Many Glacier Hotel | September 21 (after breakfast) |
Rising Sun Motor Inn & Camp Store | Currently closed |
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn | September 20 (after breakfast) |
Swiftcurrent Campstore | September 20 (closes at noon) |
Two Medicine Camp Store | September 6 (open all day) |
Village Inn | September 20 (after check-out) |
Red Bus Tours | Daily through September, Contact GNPL for weekend tours in October |
Glacier Guides, Inc. (1-800-521-RAFT or 406-387-5555 or www.glacierguides.com) Day hikes and backpacking:
Location | Closing |
Various Locations | October |
Road-based tours highlighting Blackfeet culture and history:
Location | Closing |
Various Locations | Mid-October, call for reservations |
Swan Mountain Outfitters (1-877-888-5557 or www.swanmountainoutfitters.com/glacier) Horseback rides:
Location | Closing |
Apgar | September 7 (last day of rides) |
Lake McDonald | September 27 (last day of rides) |
Many Glacier | September 13 (last day of rides) |
Waterton Inter-Nation Shoreline Cruises, LTD (403-859-2362 or www.watertoncruise.com) Waterton Lake boat tours:
Location | Closing |
Goat Haunt Landing | September 20 |
The Logan Pass Visitor Center will remain open through September 30 daily. The St. Mary Visitor Center will remain open through October 4 daily. The Apgar Visitor Center will move to a weekend only schedule beginning October 17 through mid-May.
Ranger-led activities such as guided hikes and evening programs are offered throughout September. View the September ranger-led activity schedule on the park’s website.
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.
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