Vehicle Reservations

What You May Need

• May 26 through September 10 reservations are required for west side entrances including the North Fork, Camas and West Entrance from 6 am to 3 pm.

• July 1 through September 10 reservations are required for east side entrances including Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and Going-to-the-Sun Road from Rising Sun from 6 am to 3 pm.

• Visitors entering the park in a vehicle or on a motorcycle during these dates need two things: (1) A vehicle reservation OR service
  reservation and (2) Park Entrance Fee OR valid Park Pass (Annual, Senior, Military, etc.). See all qualifying Entrance Fees and Passes.

• The park is open 24/7 and visitors may enter the park before 6 am or after 3 pm without a vehicle reservation; however, entry to Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side is restricted before 6 am due to construction activities requiring nightly closures. Learn more about visiting without a reservation.

Already Booked an Activity?

Visitors with lodging, camping, or commercial activity reservations (e.g., boat tours and horseback rides) do not need a vehicle reservation and can use their confirmation email to access the portion of the park for which their activity is booked. See details below.

Vehicle Reservation Release Dates

• A portion of vehicle reservations were released 4-months in advance. The remaining reservations will be released 24-hours in advance.
• 24-hour reservations become available daily at 8 am MDT the day before the planned visit.

Reservations can only be booked on Recreation.gov

Go to Recreation.gov

Pursuant to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, vehicle reservations are not required for tribal members throughout the park. Landowners inside the park are not required to have a vehicle reservation to access their properties.

 

Alternative Text for Graphic Above

Dark green infographic outlines the three steps to enter the park during the vehicle reservation system in multicolored graphics.

White header text on the infographic reads: “Visiting Glacier? Visitors may need a reservation to visit the park between May 26 and September 10 from 6am to 3pm:”

First step: A smartphone icon contains a calendar graphic with a large yellow checkmark in the middle. Next to the smartphone is a checkmark. The text for this step reads: “Secure your reservation, available in advance online at Recreation.gov.”

Second step: A parks pass icon with a checkmark next to it. The text for this step reads: “Get your park pass OR pay the entrance fee online or in person at the park entrance."

Third step: A picture of a vehicle reservation with a QR code and a checkmark next to the graphic. The text for this step reads: “Have your reservation ready to scan, arrive at the park on your selected date.”

Below the steps, four small, squared, black and white pictograph icons are lined up. The icons include a bike for renting bikes, a boat for boat tours, a bed for lodging, a horse for horseback rides, and a tent for camping.

Below the icons, white text reads: “Already booked an activity? Visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or comercial activity reservations can use their reservation to gain access to the portion of the park for which they have a reservation.”

 

Vehicle Reservation Areas

In 2023, a vehicle reservation is required for four areas of the park: Going-to-the-Sun Road, the North Fork, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier. Each location has unique details and requires a separate reservation. Please see the details of each area below.

 

 

Exploring Glacier Without a Vehicle Reservation

 

 

Vehicle Reservation Area Details

 

Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Vehicle Reservations

Valid for 3 days. Required for each vehicle entering through the West Entrance and Camas Entrance May 26 through September 10, 2023, 6 am to 3 pm. Required for each vehicle entering the area past Rising Sun near the St. Mary entrance July 1 through September 10, 2023, 6 am to 3 pm.

This area will have an active construction zone in 2023, please check our Construction Page for details. Entry to Going-to-the-Sun Road from the West Entrance before the 6 am reservation period will not be permitted due to construction activities. To avoid congestion-related delays, visitors are encouraged to use the St. Mary Entrance.

Constructed in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road has long been one of the park’s most popular destinations.

The lower elevation sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road remain open all year and provide access to many locations and activities. The summer opening date of the alpine portion varies from year to year, based on snowfall and plowing progress. There is no set date for the road to open over Logan Pass. Typically, the road has been fully open by early July. You can track live snow plow updates on our Road Conditions Page.

The road offers many opportunities for adventure including hiking and biking. There are size regulations for vehicles. Click here to see detailed information for areas inside Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor including Apgar, Lake McDonald, Logan Pass, and Rising Sun area services and amenities.

 

Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Facilities & Services

Lodging

• Apgar Village Lodge 

• Village Inn Motel 

• Lake McDonald Lodge 

• Motel Lake McDonald 

• Rising Sun Motor Inn 

• Reservations held on private lands within Glacier National Park.

Boat Rentals

• Glacier Park Boat Co. (Apgar & Lake McDonald)

• Glacier Outfitters

Bus Tours

• Red Bus Tours

• Sun Tours

Horseback Rides

• Swan Mountain Outfitters (Apgar & Lake McDonald

Facilities, Services, and Activities

• Apgar Visitor, Logan Pass and St. Mary Visitor Centers 

• Ranger-led Activities 

• Guided Hiking and Backpacking 

• Shuttle Service 

• Apgar Campground (Reservation Campground) 

• Fish Creek Campground (Reservation Campground) 

• Sprague Creek Campground (Reservation Campground) 

• Avalanche Creek Campground (Reservation Campground) 

• Rising Sun Campground (Reservation Campground) 

• St. Mary Campground (Reservation Campground) 

 

North Fork Vehicle Reservations

Valid for 1 day. Required for each vehicle accessing the North Fork area from May 26 through September 10, 2023, 6 am to 3 pm.

This area will have an active construction zone in 2023, please check our Construction Page for details.

This area’s name refers to the North Fork of the Flathead River, which forms much of the park’s western boundary. With limited amenities and services, the area invites a more self-reliant visitor. Pack a lunch and allow all day to drive to and from Kintla and Bowman Lakes on rough, single-lane gravel roads. The only services here are outside the park entrance in the small community of Polebridge. There is no cell phone coverage. A four-wheel-drive vehicle and the ability to change a tire are recommended, as flat tires are common. Vehicles over 21 feet and/or trailers are not permitted on any roads in the North Fork area, with the exception of private horse trailers accessing the Bowman horse corral. First come, first served camping for this area will be arranged at the Polebridge Ranger Station on the first day of the visit.

 

North Fork Facilities & Services

• Bowman Lake Campground (First come, first served) 

• Logging Creek Campground (Closed in 2023) 

• Kintla Lake Campground (First come, first served) 

• Quartz Creek Campground (First come, first served) 

• Day Hikes 

• Picnic Areas, Restrooms, and Pit Toilets 

 

Two Medicine Vehicle Reservations

Valid for 1 day. Required for each vehicle accessing theTwo Medicine Valley from July 1 through September 10, 2023, 6 am to 3 pm.

Accessed via a separate entrance just northwest of the town of East Glacier Park, the Two Medicine area is a popular alternative to Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor. The valley’s west end features a large, high-elevation lake surrounded by dramatic peaks and plenty of hiking trails.

 

Two Medicine Facilities & Services

Boat Rentals and Scenic Boat Cruises

• Glacier Park Boat Co. 

Additional Services

• Two Medicine Campstore

• Two Medicine Campground (Reservation Campground) 

• Day Hikes

 

Many Glacier Vehicle Reservations

Required for each vehicle accessing the Many Glacier Valley from July 1 through September 10, 2023, 6 am to 3 pm.

Accessed via a separate entrance just west of the town of Babb, Many Glacier is a popular alternative to Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor. Being the confluence of four major valleys, two of which contain glaciers, this area offers spectacular views as well as some of the most famous landmarks and hikes in the park.

 

Many Glacier Facilities & Services

Lodging

• Many Glacier Hotel

• Swiftcurrent Motor Inn

Boat Rentals and Scenic Boat Cruises

• Glacier Park Boat Co. 

Bus Tours

• Red Bus Tours

Horseback Rides

• Swan Mountain Outfitters

Additional Services

• Camp store, gifts shops, restaurants, ATM, laundry, showers 

• Many Glacier Campground (Reservation Campground) 

• Day Hikes

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Glacier National Park piloting a temporary vehicle reservation system?
The park is reporting around 3 million recreation visits each year. The number of vehicle reservations being released does not represent this number. Why is that?
How do I get a vehicle reservation?
How can I see the park without a vehicle reservation?
How do I prove I have a vehicle reservation?
Do I also need a Park Pass?
How do I get a first come, first served campground?
Why can’t the vehicle reservation checkpoint be positioned to allow visitors to access shuttles at Apgar Village? Why isn’t the park looking at a more robust shuttle system?
Do I need a vehicle reservation if I have booked a tour or commercial activity inside the park?
Do I need a vehicle reservation if I have booked a hotel or campsite inside the park?
How many vehicle reservations are being released per day?
How does Glacier National Park determine the number of reservations to make available during each release?
Where are reservations selling out the fastest and how quickly?
How many people attempted to secure reservations for each block release date, including all areas of the park?
Can you tell me the dates that sold out fastest?
How long did it take for all July reservations throughout the park to sell out?
Vehicle Reservation Communication Toolkit

Why is Glacier National Park piloting a temporary vehicle reservation system?

There are two issues driving the pilot: impacts to resources and impacts to visitors. These impacts became more apparent with the dramatic increase of about 1.5 million annual recreation visits from 2008 to 2017.

Resource impacts like vegetation loss and braiding trail systems are common in areas of high use. Visitor experience quality is also being affected as sustained, high levels of use become common. Visitor access to the park, parking areas, and trailheads has been unpredictable and frustrating for visitors as the park implements unplanned closures to address these issues. Visitor safety becomes an issue when emergency vehicles are not able to respond efficiently due to congestion. The pilot vehicle reservation system spreads visitation throughout the day during peak hours and provides a measure of certainty and safety to visitors.

We will gather visitor use data and refine strategies throughout the summer. These data will help to inform future public and stakeholder engagement as we work towards long term strategies and solutions to balance resource protection and quality visitor experiences at Glacier.

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The park is reporting around 3 million recreation visits each year. The number of vehicle reservations being released does not represent this number. Why is that?

Glacier National Park stats report 1.9 million recreation visits parkwide in June through August 2022 when the vehicle reservation system was in place. Recreation visits are determined based on a formula that averages the number of visitors per vehicle and includes all vehicles entering the park during and outside reservation hours; therefore, the number of vehicle reservations versus the number of total recreation visits is not a sufficient comparison. The park’s Visitor Use Counting Procedures can be found here.

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How do I get a vehicle reservation?

Vehicle reservations are available in advance online at Recreation.gov (Vehicle Reservations), Recreation.gov app, or the Recreation.gov Call Center (Reservation Line: 877-444-6777). They are not available for purchase at the park. Each reservation has a $2 processing fee.

New for the 2023 season, vehicle reservations will be available through two types of booking windows. A portion of reservations will be available approximately 4-months in advance, using a block-release system, the remaining vehicle reservations will be released on a rolling basis at 8 am MDT 24 hours in advance (e.g., remaining vehicle reservations for July 1 are available on June 30). There are a limited number of vehicle reservations available for each day and demand will exceed supply. Vehicle reservations will be released on Recreation.gov (Vehicle Reservations) on the following dates:

Block Release Date	Reservation Dates
February 1, 8 am MDT	*May 26-June30
March 1, 8 am MDT	July 1-July 30
April 1, 8 am MDT	August 1-August 31
May 1, 8 am MDT	September 1-September 10

* During this time, it is likely only a portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road will be open. Check the park website for road status or to sign up for text alerts. Vehicle reservations are not required for any east entrances until July 1.

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How can I see the park without a vehicle reservation?

From May 26 through September 10, 2023, visitors without vehicle reservations may enter the park before 6 am or after 3 pm without a reservation. Entry to Going-to-the-Sun Road from the West Entrance before the 6 am reservation period will not be permitted due to construction activities. To avoid congestion-related delays, visitors are encouraged to use the St. Mary Entrance. Visitors who are waiting until 3 pm can explore additional options outside Glacier here.

The Many Glacier Valley, Two Medicine Valley, and St. Mary Entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road do not require a vehicle reservation before July 1, 2023.

For Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor, vehicle reservations will be checked at the Rising Sun check point (located 6 miles west of the St. Mary Entrance) and visitors will have access to the St. Mary Visitor Center and park shuttle outside of the vehicle reservation area.

Visitors may also obtain access with a valid service reservation (e.g., boat tours, lodging, horseback ride, guided hikes) for the specified reservation area. For example, a reservation for a boat tour on Lake McDonald would serve as a vehicle reservation for the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor for the day the boat tour was scheduled.

Visitors can also participate in guided hikes through Glacier Guides or educational programs with Glacier Institute, which meet outside of the park and travel as a group into the park.

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How do I prove I have a vehicle reservation?

Vehicle reservations and park passes will be checked along with a photo ID at the time of entry. Vehicle reservations cannot be sold, auctioned, or transferred. Print or save a digital copy (e.g., screenshot) of the vehicle reservation or valid service reservation prior to your arrival. Cell service is unreliable and usually unavailable in the park. Proof of valid vehicle reservation or service reservation should be prepared and ready to present to park staff at vehicle reservation check points.

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Do I also need a Park Pass?

Yes, in addition to a vehicle reservation or valid service reservation, visitors must also have a park pass to enter the park. A park pass is your paid entrance fee to the park and applies to visitors traveling by vehicle, motorcycle, foot, bicycle, etc.

A park pass is required to access any entry point within Glacier National Park. Park passes do not serve as vehicle reservations or service reservations in vehicle reservation areas.

America the Beautiful Passes

• Volunteer Pass (free)
• 4th Grade Pass (free)
• Military Pass (free)
• Senior Pass ($80 lifetime, $20 Annual)
• Access Pass (free)
• Annual Pass ($80)

Glacier National Park Passes

• Glacier Annual Pass ($70)
• Private Vehicle Pass ($35)
• Motorcycle Pass ($30)
• Individual Pass ($20)

Park passes are available for purchase at park entrances or online at Recreation.gov. Visitors who already possess a valid entrance pass, such as an Annual, Senior, Access, Military, etc., do not need to purchase another pass.

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How do I get a first come, first served campground?

If you are planning on camping at one of the front country campgrounds in the North Fork, the Polebridge Ranger Station (located at the Polebridge Entrance) can issue any available sites upon your arrival. Mention that you would like to stay at one of the campgrounds (specify which one). If there is an available site, park staff will issue the site to you. A vehicle reservation for the North Fork is included with the campground site for the duration of your stay there.

Visitors without a vehicle reservation will have access to the Rising Sun Campground. Once registered, campers at Rising Sun Campground will be allowed reservation area access in Going-to-the-Sun Corridor for the dates of their stay.

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Why can’t the checkpoint be positioned to allow visitors to access shuttles at Apgar Village? Why isn’t the park looking at a more robust shuttle system?

The National Park Service strives to maximize opportunities and benefits for visitors while achieving and maintaining desired conditions for resources and visitor experience, doing so is inherently complex. It requires that NPS managers analyze the number of visitors, where they go, what they do, their impacts on resources and visitor experience, and the underlying causes of those impacts.

The park is analyzing the use of the shuttle system as a management tool. There are certain things that must be considered such as where people will park, how many visitors will use trails, restrooms and facilities, the cost associated with purchasing additional shuttles, etc.

In 2023, as in 2022, the checkpoint on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road is at Rising Sun, allowing visitors to park at the St. Mary Visitor Center and access the free shuttle without a vehicle reservation. Park officials evaluated moving the checkpoint on the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road beyond Apgar Village to facilitate access to shuttles from the Apgar Visitor Center, but heavy construction on Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side made that unachievable for 2023.They also looked at extending shuttle service to beyond the west side checkpoint but determined that there are not adequate parking facilities on privately owned lots in West Glacier to make that feasible in 2023.

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Do I need a vehicle reservation if I have booked a tour or commercial activity inside the park?

No, visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity service reservations can use their reservation to gain access to the portion of the park for which they have a reservation.

• Valid service reservations include commercial tours, etc.
• Proof of a valid service reservation along with a photo ID will serve as a vehicle reservation for the day of the service reservation only.
• Service reservations in areas outside of the designated reservation area will not serve as valid vehicle reservations.

Examples of valid service reservations for commercial activities are listed below. Additional service reservations may apply.

Commercial Tour Reservations

• Glacier Park Boat Company
  • Lake McDonald
  • St. Mary Lake (Rising Sun Boat Dock)
  • Two Medicine
  • Many Glacier
• Red Bus Tour Reservations
  • Apgar Visitor Center departure
  • Lake McDonald Lodge departure
  • St. Mary Visitor Center departure
  • Village Inn at Apgar departure
  • Many Glacier departure
• Sun Tours Reservations
  • Apgar Visitor Center departure
  • St. Mary Visitor Center departure

Horseback Riding Reservations

• Swan Mountain Outfitters
  • Apgar Corral
  • Lake McDonald Corral
  • Many Glacier Corral

Non-Profit Partner Reservations

• Glacier Institute

Permit Holders

• Special Use Permits inside vehicle reservation area including weddings, special events, film/photography projects, first amendment activities, etc.
• Clients of Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) holders with commercial activities taking place inside vehicle reservation areas including bicycle tours, instructional workshops, etc.

Watercraft and Bicycle Rental Reservations

• Glacier Park Boat Company
• Glacier Outfitters

Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government.

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Do I need a vehicle reservation if I have booked a hotel or campsite inside the park?

No, visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity service reservations can use their reservation to gain access to the portion of the park for which they have a reservation.

• Valid service reservations include lodging, camping, etc.
• Proof of a valid service reservation along with a photo ID will serve as a vehicle reservation for the day of the service reservation only.
• Service reservations in areas outside of the designated reservation area will not serve as valid vehicle reservations.

Examples of valid service reservations for lodging and camping are listed below. Additional service reservations may apply.

Camping Reservations

• Apgar Campground (Reservation Campground)
• Fish Creek Campground (Reservation Campground)
• Sprague Creek Campground (Reservation Campground)
• Avalanche Creek Campground (Reservation Campground)
• Rising Sun Campground (First come, first served Campground)
• St. Mary Campground (Reservation Campground)
• Bowman Lake Campground (First come, first served)
• Logging Creek Campground (Closed in 2023)
• Kintla Lake Campground (First come, first served)
• Quartz Creek Campground (First come, first served)
• Two Medicine Campground (Reservation Campground)
• Many Glacier Campground (Reservation Campground)
• Once registered, campers at first-come, first-served campgrounds will be allowed reservation area access for the dates of their stay.

Lodging Reservations

• Granite Park Chalet
• Sperry Chalet
• Village Inn Motel
• Lake McDonald Lodge
• Rising Sun Motor Inn
• Many Glacier Hotel
• Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
• Reservations held on private lands within Glacier National Park
• Apgar Village Lodge
• Motel Lake McDonald

Wilderness Camping Permits

• For trailheads located inside vehicle reservation areas

Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government.

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How many vehicle reservations are being released per day?

The vehicle reservation system allows for adjustments for changing conditions such as seasonal changes, congestion, construction, and parking availability. The 24-hour release window is where the park can adjust and adapt to meet desired conditions. We make adjustments in an attempt to maximize visitor access while still protecting resources and visitor experience quality. The pilot system allows us to continuously learn about and improve the system; therefore, the total number of daily reservations for 2023 is not an exact number.

In 2022, using the same real-time conditions, 180,832 total vehicle reservations (169,456 for Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor and 11,376 for North Fork) were released for Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork areas. This represents approximately one-third of the 560,000 vehicles that entered the park in vehicle reservation areas during the reservation period. Only one vehicle reservation was required per vehicle.

Vehicle reservations are only one way to access the park. Visitors have always had alternative options to visit Glacier with the vehicle reservation system in place. In 2022, alternative options included entering the park with a valid camping, lodging, or commercial service reservation in lieu of a vehicle reservation; entering before 6 am or after 4 pm when a vehicle reservation was not required; and riding the free park shuttle on Going-to-the-Sun Road via the St. Mary Visitor Center. Vehicle reservations were only required May 26 – September 11, 2022, and visitors could also enter the park pre or post reservation period.

The past two years of the pilot program have spread visitation throughout the day on Going-to-the-Sun Road and in the North Fork area resulting in fewer closures, better traffic management, and a more enjoyable park experience during peak season.

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How does Glacier National Park determine the number of reservations to make available during each release?

There are several factors that help determine how many vehicle reservations will be released including, but not limited to:

• The number of vehicles entering the system with a valid camping, lodging, or commercial service reservation
• Vehicles entering each area before 6 am
• The return rate for Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor, which is up to 3 days per reservation
• Changing conditions such as the opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is only partially open in May and June
• Construction within each of the managed access areas
• Decrease in availability of commercial services in late summer

The park manages Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor, the North Fork, Two Medicine Valley, and Many Glacier Valley to improve visitor safety, protect sensitive resources, provide a quality visitor experience, assure predictable visitor access, and eliminate the need for temporary closures.

The goal of managing Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor under these pilots is not to limit visitation, but to spread out visitation throughout the day in the most visited area of the park. Areas outside of Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor are managed for a different set of desired conditions. For example, the North Fork is managed as a “wilderness threshold zone” with an emphasis on solitude, a sense of history, difficulty of access, and limited support facilities.

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Where are reservations selling out the fastest and how quickly?

Reservations for the areas outside of Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor sell out quickly, sometimes in minutes. Areas outside Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor are much smaller and provide different types of experience for visitors. The result of this is that the reservations for these areas can sell out much quicker than Going-to-the-Sun Road.

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How many people attempted to secure reservations for each block release date, including all areas of the park?

Currently, this information cannot be accurately collected from the reservation system; however, the visitor use management team is tracking unique page views on Recreation.gov. This number is based on how many individual users viewed a given page and does not take into consideration instances when a user or a group is using multiple devices and/or viewed multiple pages. On February 1, over 12,000 unique users viewed the North Fork and Going-to-the-Sun Road reservation pages on Recreation.gov for May and June reservations. Reservations for Many Glacier and Two Medicine valleys were not released in February due to not being required until July 1, 2023. On March 1, over 48,000 unique users viewed all four vehicle reservation pages for July. Data is not yet available for the April 1 release. The next block release will be May 1 for September reservations.

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Can you tell me the dates that sold out fastest?

Although not official data, by monitoring releases live during release days, park staff have observed that reservations went quickly across the month with no specific date selling out sooner. For Going-to-the-Sun Road, Fridays typically sell out quickly, and it is assumed that this is because the reservation is good for three days and covers the weekend.

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How long did it take for all July reservations throughout the park to sell out?

As expected, demand for vehicle reservations for the month of July was high because it is peak season. The available vehicle reservations for Going-to-the-Sun Road were distributed within 30 minutes. Vehicle reservations for all other areas were distributed within 10 minutes of posting.

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