Glacier National Park is instituting an online reservation system (ticketed entry) for the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor between the park’s West and St. Mary Entrances from May 28 to September 6, 2021.
Entering Glacier National Park at West Glacier, St. Mary, or the Camas Road
Entering the Going-to-the-Sun Road at either West Glacier or St. Mary, or via the Camas Road, will require two things...a Park Pass plus a $2.00 Entry Reservation Ticket or a reservation for a service along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Qualifying Passes include:
Glacier National Park Passes
- Private Vehicle 7-day permit - $35
- Motorcycle 7-day permit - $30
- Glacier National Park Annual Pass - $70
America the Beautiful Passes
- Annual - $80
- Every Kid in a Park Annual 4th Grade Pass – Free to 4th Graders
- Annual Pass for Military - Free
- Annual or Lifetime Senior Pass - $20 or $80
- Access Pass – Free
- Volunteer Pass - Free
Lifetime Golden Age Passes are also honored.
In addition to the passes listed above, entry to the Going-to-the-Sun Road at West Glacier or St. Mary, or via the Camas Road, will require a $2.00 Entry Reservation Ticket or a Service Reservation, as described in the detailed information below. Please read through this information carefully.
Entry into Glacier National Park at Many Glacier, Two Medicine, or Polebridge will only require one of the passes listed above.
Online Entry Reservation System (Ticketed Entry)
Day-use visitors who arrive by private vehicle or motorcycle and enter the West and St, Mary Entrances, or via the Camas Road, between 6 am and 5 pm MDT must have a $2.00 Entry Reservation Ticket. Entry Reservation Tickets are valid for seven consecutive days per vehicle. They may be used anytime within that seven day period.
Visitors arriving on foot or bicycle do not require an Entry Reservation Ticket. Day-use reservations are included with any overnight lodging and service reservations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor between the West and St. Mary Entrance Stations.
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This includes visitors with overnight accommodations, including Village Inn, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Granite Park and Sperry Chalets, Fish Creek Campground, or in-park private lodging, and visitors with reservations for wilderness camping, boat rides, guided hikes, horseback rides, or bus tours offered between the West and St. Mary Entrances of the park.
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An Entry Reservation Ticket for the day is included in your service reservation. The included entry reservation applies only to the dates of your service reservation.
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Proof of a service reservation (e.g., lodging, tours, etc.) is required and will serve as your Entry Reservation Ticket.
Dates and Locations Requiring a $2.00 Entry Reservation Ticket
Day-use visitors who arrive by private vehicle or motorcycle must have an Entry Reservation Ticket and a current park pass when entering the park through the West and St. Mary Entrances, or via the Camas Road, between 6 am and 5 pm from May 28 to September 6, 2021. Please be prepared to show your reservation confirmation and photo ID at park entrance stations upon arrival.
Entry Reservation Tickets are limited. Approximately 3/4 of the Entry Reservation Tickets will be available up to 60 days in advance with the remaining 1/4 of Entry Reservation Tickets being released two days in advance. Prior to the full opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road there will be fewer tickets available each day.
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Entry Reservation Tickets can be secured at www.recreation.gov beginning at 6 am MDT on April 29, 2021.
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Visitors entering the park at Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Polebridge, or along Highway 2 do not need an Entry Reservation Ticket. Access to these areas may be temporarily limited during times of peak visitation.
Reserving a $2.00 Entry Reservation Ticket Online
Entry Reservation Tickets are only available online at www.recreation.gov or by using the recreation.gov mobile app (iOS/Android). Entry Reservation Tickets are free but require a nonrefundable $2 reservation processing fee. Visitors are encouraged to set up their account in advance. Once you set up an account, you will select the day you plan to visit the park, add it to your cart, and process payment. Visit the article on the Recreation.gov Help Center for detailed information on purchasing a reservation. After payment, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with an attached Entry Reservation Ticket. Visitors should save the entry reservation ticket (e.g., print, download, screenshot). Entry Reservation Tickets are non-transferable and resale or auction of reservations is prohibited.
Visitors are encouraged to secure Entry Reservation Tickets prior to arriving at the park. Entry Reservation Tickets are only offered online and are not available at park entrance stations or park offices. Limited cell service is available in West Glacier and St. Mary. Wi-Fi may be available in surrounding communities. Many public libraries and area hotels provide free access.
Entry Reservation Tickets are limited. Approximately 3/4 will be available up to 60 days in advance with the remaining 1/4 of tickets being released two days in advance. Entry Reservation Tickets are available beginning at 6 am MDT on the day of release.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do I need a $2.00 online Entry Reservation Ticket if I already have a park pass?
Yes, if you are entering the park at St. Mary, the West Entrance or the Camas Road. All visitors to continue to need a Glacier National Park entrance pass to enter the park. A seven-day, annual, or lifetime entrance pass can be purchased online or at park entrance stations with a credit card.
From May 28 to September 6, 2021, day-use access to the park between the West Entrance and St. Mary Entrance, or via the Camas Road, will require both a park entrance pass and a $2.00 Entry Reservation Ticket.
- Visitors with reservations for in-park lodging, camping, wilderness camping, boat rides, guided hikes, horseback rides, bus tours, or park shuttles along the Going-to-the-Sun Road do not need to reserve an Entry Reservation Ticket for the day of your reservation. An Entry Reservation Ticket for the day is included in your service reservation. The included Entry Reservation Ticket applies only to the dates of your service reservation. Proof of a service reservation (e.g., lodging, tours, etc.) is required and will serve as your entry reservation ticket.
- Please be prepared to show your reservation confirmation and photo ID at park entrance stations upon arrival.
Do I need a separate $2.00 Entry Reservation Ticket for each day I visit the park?
No. The $2.00 Entry Reservation Tickets are valid for seven days and you can enter and exit the park at any point during this time. You will need a second Entry Reservation Ticket if you visit for more than seven days or return for a second visit later in the summer.
Do I need a $2.00 Entry Reservation Ticket in addition to a park entrance pass if…
…I am only entering the park for one day to hike?
You will need to obtain an Entry Reservation Ticket through www.recreation.gov if your hike requires you to enter the park through the West or St. Mary Entrances, or your hike is along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor.
…if I am only passing through the park on Going-to-the-Sun Road?
You will need to obtain an Entry Reservation Ticket through www.recreation.gov to enter the West or St. Mary Entrances, or via the Camas Road, to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road.
…if I have reservations to stay overnight or take a tour in the park?
Entry Reservation Tickets are included with any overnight lodging and service reservations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor between the West Entrance and St. Mary Entrance. This includes visitors with overnight accommodations, including Village Inn, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Granite Park and Sperry Chalets, Fish Creek Campground, or in-park private lodging, and visitors with reservations for wilderness camping, boat rides, guided hikes, horseback rides, or bus tours along the Going-to-the-Sun Road between the West and St. Mary Entrances of the park. An Entry Reservation Ticket for the day is included in your service reservation. The included Entry Reservation Ticket applies only to the dates of your service reservation. Proof of a service reservation is required and will serve as your day-use entry reservation ticket.
Why is the online reservation system being implemented?
Glacier National Park has experienced record visitation and congestion issues in recent years. This management tool will improve traffic flow along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, reduce crowding and congestion, and enhance visitor experiences and safety. The reservation system also enables the park to better manage COVID-19 public health guidelines and mitigate impacts from the extensive construction projects on Highway 2 and Highway 89 planned by the Montana Department of Transportation in summer 2021.
Can I expect less crowded conditions along the Going-to-the-Sun Road?
Visitors should still expect busy conditions in the park. The online entry reservation system (ticketed entry) will reduce crowding and congestion along the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, but will not relieve visitor demand and congestion in high visitation areas such as Avalanche, Logan Pass, and St. Mary Falls.
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