Are you planning a trip to Glacier National Park? Figuring out the vehicle reservation and pass system can be a hassle, but I have you covered. I have been through it and have compiled the essential details you need to know in this guide.
This article explains everything from where to enter to understanding the time-entry reservation system so you can get in hassle-free and enjoy Glacier National Park’s gorgeous beauty. Dive into the straightforward information below, updated for the 2025 season—including the Many Glacier construction closures—and hit the sightseeing road without any unnecessary bumps.
Want more Glacier advice? Here are 17 essential planning tips for an epic and seamless Glacier National Park trip.
What you need to enter Glacier National Park.
To enter Glacier National Park, you need two things. First, you need a vehicle or individual entrance pass, available online before your trip or at the park at the ranger gate. Learn more about pass options here.
Second, suppose you plan to enter a restricted park (not including Many Glacier) entrance area between June 13 and September 28 after 7 AM or before 3 PM. In that case, you need a timed-entry vehicle, lodging, or official concessionaire activity reservation (e.g., boat tours, horseback riding, bus tours, etc.) within the restricted area to gain access. Learn more about the timed entry system here.
A massive construction project will also restrict access to the gorgeous and highly popular Many Glacier area between July 1 and September 21, specifically for the 2025 season. Learn more about how it is impacted here.
Restricted areas requiring reservations (2025).
Glacier National Park restricts entry to its busiest (West Glacier) and most remote area (Polebbridge) from June 13 through September 28 from 7 AM to 3 PM to control traffic and crowding. During this time, visitors must pre-purchase timed-entry reservations (learn where to buy them here) or have pre-booked a concessionaire activity, lodging, or camping reservation within the restricted area. Construction will also severely restrict access to Many Glacier, specifically for the 2025 season. Learn more here.
West access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road (from the West Glacier entrance).
West of Apgar Village, access to the Going-to-the-Sun road will be restricted. In previous years, the park restricted access to the entire West Glacier entrance beyond the strip of commercial businesses in West Glacier. However, entry here is open, granting full access to Apgar Village. If you have lodging or camping in the Apgar area, you no longer have unrestricted access to the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Instead, you must purchase a timed entry reservation to enter the road during restricted periods.
Polebridge entrance.
The Polebridge entrance is adjacent to the small town of Polebridge, in a more remote northwest corner of the park. You can explore the park’s North Fork area from this entrance. Similar to the west entrance of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the park limits access from 7 AM to 3 PM for the same high-season period.
Many Glacier entrance (2025 restrictions).
Due to construction, the park will heavily restrict access and parking to the Many Glacier area during the 2025 season. Beyond the Many Glacier Hotel, the road to the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Many Glacier Campground—both of which will be shut for the season—will be closed. Trailhead parking and trailheads along this road will also be closed through mid-May 2026.
Before July 1, day visitors can access the area by parking at the Many Glacier Hotel. However, spaces are limited and expected to fill quickly, so the area may be subject to day-of restrictions. If you plan to visit this area before July 1, arrive early. See a map of the construction areas below.
From July 1 to September 21, the general public cannot access the Many Glacier area without a temporary hiker shuttle reservation, a concessionaire activity (e.g., boat ride, horseback riding, etc.), or a lodging reservation. Parking at the Many Glacier Hotel will be available for these visitors only. Visitors must show confirmation of reservations at the entrance gate to gain access.
Many Glacier 2025 temporary hiker shuttle information.
For visitors who want to visit the Many Glacier during the restricted period and do not have a lodging or activity booking, limited spots on a hiker shuttle will be available on Recreation.gov. Hikers can purchase these reservations seven days in advance each morning at 8 AM, starting June 24, and at 7 PM the night before entry, beginning June 30.
Visitors with reservations will gain access to the Many Glacier area and park at designated pull-outs along the Many Glacier Road. The Many Glacier Hotel’s upper parking lot will access all area trails. However, trail detours may add an extra mile each way to hiking distances.
Temporary restrictions are possible for other entrances.
The remaining Glacier National Park entrances do not require vehicle reservations. However, depending on crowding, park officials may temporarily limit entry to any entrance area between 10 AM and 2 PM to reduce congestion. If temporary limits are put in place, visitors with concessionaire (e.g., boat tours, horseback rides, guided hikes, etc. ) and lodging reservations in those areas only will be permitted entry.
Where to book official Glacier concessionaire activities.
Official Glacier concessionaire activities are bookable through Glacier National Park Lodges (Red Bus Tours), Sun Tours (van tours), Glacier Park Boat Company (boat rides, hike/boat rides, rentals), and Swan Mountain Outfitters (horseback riding). If your ticketed activity occurs in a restricted area, your confirmed booking will grant you and your vehicle access to the area. Alternatively, join a guided group day or multi-day hike with Glacier Guides to cover transport and access.
7 Glacier National Park entrances.
Glacier National Park has seven vehicle entrances, each varying in proximity and travel time from your lodging. Given the park’s enormous size, driving from one entrance to another may take one to three hours or more.
Click on the map below with the circled entrances to see more detail.
- West Glacier: The West Glacier entrance, recognized as the busiest, offers the most extensive lodging and services and is a primary gateway to the renowned Going-to-the-Sun Road. This is a partially restricted entrance. Learn more here.
- Many Glacier: In the northeast corner, find the Many Glacier entrance. This entrance provides access to its beautiful lakes and hiking trails, with limited lodging and services. Due to the 2025 season construction in the popular Swiftcurrent area within Many Glacier, parking and access will be heavily restricted. Learn more here.
- Polebridge: Venturing northwest, discover the Polebridge entrance adjacent to the small town of Polebridge. This entrance is a tranquil gateway to the North Fork, the park’s most remote area. This is a restricted entrance. Learn more here.
Unlock your travel toolkit! Join my monthly newsletter for 5 free templates to plan, pack, and budget like a pro.
- St. Mary: In the east, the quieter St. Mary entrance provides eastern access to the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road and some lodging and services.
- Two Medicine: Towards the southeast, the Two Medicine entrance provides entry to its eponymous and stunning area. A small selection of accommodations and services is available in the nearby town of East Glacier.
- Camas Creek: Situated on the western side, Camas Creek is a more remote and less-traveled entrance accessible via the North Fork Road (Highway 486), which is unpaved for the final 10 miles.
- Cut Bank: Lastly, the Cut Bank entrance, about a 30-minute drive south of the St. Mary entrance, is the least frequented gateway. It offers access to a campground and backcountry trails.
Visitors must still purchase a park entrance pass for all non-restricted entrances. Learn more about passes and where to buy them here. In addition, be aware park officials may temporarily limit entry to any entrance between 10 AM and 2 PM to reduce congestion. If this happens, visitors with concessionaire (e.g., boat tours, horseback rides, guided hikes, etc.) and lodging reservations within the restricted area will be permitted entry.
Which Glacier pass should you buy & where to buy it?
Every vehicle or individual entering Glacier National Park must purchase an entrance pass. These passes cost between $20 to $35 and are valid for seven days. If you need a pass for longer, you can buy an annual Glacier National Park pass for unlimited entry. Buy all passes at the park entrance or online.
You can also enter Glacier National Park using an annual or lifetime interagency National Parks Pass, which provides access to all US national parks and federal recreation lands. You can buy these passes in person at the park or online. Discounted or free National Parks entrance passes are available for the military, seniors, fourth-grade families, the disabled, and federal land volunteers with accrued hours. See the chart for park discounts below.
7 essential things to know about entering Glacier National Park.
For the past several years, Glacier National Park has been refining a vehicle reservation system to control the flow of visitors, protect its fragile environment, and create a more enjoyable experience for all. Based on data and usage from the previous year, park leadership adjusts the program each new visitor season.
Here are seven essential things you need to know about entering Glacier National Park and its vehicle reservation system in 2025:
- Three areas require reservations: For the current year, vehicle or activity and lodging reservations are required during the high season to access the west entrance of the Going-to-the-Sun Road (via the West Glacier entrance) and the Polebridge entrances. Hiker shuttle or lodging and official concessionaire activity reservations are required for Many Glacier.
- Reservation dates: The 2025 season reservation system and entrance restrictions begin on June 13 and continue through September 28 for the West Glacier access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Polebridge entrance. And from July 1 through September 21 for Many Glacier.
- Reservation times of day: During restricted high-season periods, you must have a vehicle, official concessionaire activity, or lodging reservation to enter the West Glacier (Going-to-the-Sun Road access) and Polebridge entrances between 7 AM and 3 PM. You can gain entry before and after these times without a reservation.
- One-day passes: Vehicle reservations are one-day passes you can purchase in advance. Learn more about buying them here. Hiker shuttle reservations for Many Glacier are effective for the reservation date only. Learn more about them here.
- Reservations do not transfer across days or entrances: You need to buy a separate reservation for each day you want to enter a restricted area and for each entrance.
- Ticketed activities within a restricted area may be substituted for a reservation: If you have tickets for an official park concessionaire activity, like a boat ride or horseback riding, within a restricted area, you do not need a vehicle reservation. Your activity ticket, which you will show to rangers at the entrance gate, will gain you access.
- In-park lodging reservations within a restricted area may also be substituted for a reservation: If you have lodging or a campground booked in a restricted park area, you will not need a vehicle reservation to enter that area. Your accommodation booking will give you access to the days of your stay.
How to get a timed-entry Glacier National Park vehicle reservation.
Although a Glacier National Park vehicle reservation is inexpensive (~$2), it requires the right timing and some effort. To pre-purchase a reservation, visit this Recreation.gov page.
A portion of vehicle reservations will be available 120 days in advance, starting at 8 AM MST on a rolling basis. The remaining reservations will be available on Recreation.gov daily at 7 PM MST for next-day entry. The Glacier National Park website has the most up-to-date information, including any changes to the vehicle registration program.
Otherwise, reserved in-park lodging or bookings for official park concessionaire activities, such as boat rides, driving tours, and horseback riding, will allow you to bypass the need for a vehicle reservation to a restricted area. To gain entry, you will show proof of your booking for that day to the rangers at the gate.
How to enter without a vehicle reservation.
If you plan to visit Glacier National Park between mid-June and late September, which falls into its restricted access window, and you cannot get a vehicle reservation, have no fear. If you are an early riser, arrive at a restricted park entrance before 7 AM and before a reservation is required so you can enter without one.
If this sounds early, it can be. However, even though we had a vehicle reservation during our early July visit to Glacier, we got up this early several times to make it to activities. We found it relatively easy to do so, especially given the anticipation of more time in the park. Plus—we did it with a cranky 13-year-old whose preferred wake-up time is 1 PM. Fortunately, she loves a good hike and hoped to see a bear (which, fortunately, we did not see), so she rallied.
Or, instead, you can sleep in and visit after 3 PM, keeping in mind that in the height of the summer months, the sun sets on Glacier National Park close to 10 PM, so you will still have hours of daylight. Alternatively, plan your visit to enjoy time in the unrestricted entrance areas of the park, which includes the very pretty Two Medicine area. Or take a long drive around and enter through another entrance.
During high season, you can also access restricted entrances when you book in-park lodging within that area. Or if you pre-purchased tickets for an official park concessionaire activity, like boat rides and horseback rides. Your proof of lodging or activity bookings will double as a vehicle reservation.
Related Reading
If you are planning a Glacier trip, check out these related articles. They provide more information, ideas, and resources to help you plan better travel and get out the door with less hassle.
- How to Plan a Glacier National Park Trip: 17 Essential Tips
- The Best Of Glacier NP: An Action-Packed 4-Day Itinerary
- Glacier National Park: 37 Amazing Things to See & Do
- 10 Glacier National Park Hiking Trails You Will Love
- Glacier NP: Ultimate Guide Where To Stay In The Park
- The Best Places To Stay Near Glacier National Park
- The Best Places To Eat Around Glacier National Park
- What to Pack for Glacier NP: You’ll Love This Checklist
- 39 Amazing Ideas For Things To See & Do In Missoula
- How To Make The Most Of Missoula In 3 Days
- Pre-Trip: A Practical Checklist to Close the House & Pack
Do you love to read? I do! Check out the books about or set in Montana—from guidebooks to nonfiction to fiction-set-in place—that I recommend. See all of my destination-inspired reading lists here.
Feedback & questions.
Did this article help? Do you have questions about an upcoming visit? Please share in the comments below, and I will respond.
Save to Pinterest.
