Fall 2015 Schedule Begins at Park

Date: September 4, 2015
Contact: Michelle Fidler , 406 888-5838
Contact: Katie Liming , 406 888-7895

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 4^th. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground beginning Monday, October 5^th 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.

The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side was originally planned to be September 20^th. 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^th. Road rehabilitation will continue through and after October 4^th. Visitors should anticipate some traffic delays. Some east side road pull-outs may be closed due to road work and fire hazards.

Campground operating dates are as follows:

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	Closesfor season 12 noon September 14;
Bowman Lake	September13	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 throughclosure: Free with valid entrance pass;
Logging Creek	September20	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 at https:///www.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm.

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.

(1-888-345-2649 or www.sperrychalet.com or www.graniteparkchalet.com) Backcountry Chalets:

Location	Closing
Granite Park Chalet	September 12 (after breakfast)
Sperry Chalet	September 12 (after breakfast)

Glacier Park Boat Company (406-257-2426 or www.glacierparkboats.com)

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

Sun Tours (1-800-786-9220 or 406-226-9220 or www.glaciersuntours.com)

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 at https://www.nps.gov/glac/upload/8-19-15-web.pdf.

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 www.nps.gov/glac 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.

-NPS-