Glacier National Park Announces Timed Entry Vehicle Reservation System for 2025

Glacier National Park will again implement a vehicle reservation system in 2025, from June 13 to September 28, on the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork. The park is also introducing a timed entry program at two locations that are among its busiest during the peak summer months.

As this year, visitors will need to make reservations to enter the park at the West Entrance and North Fork between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. However, visitors will now also be able to select a time slot during which they can enter the park. There will be multiple time blocks available, and once a visitor enters Glacier, they will be able to stay in the park for as long as they wish on the day of their reservation. Additional program information will be available before pre-booking begins on February 12, 2025.

According to park officials, 3,004,613 visitors passed through Glacier’s gates through September of this year. representing the highest number of visitors recorded during this period since 2017.when the park set an overall attendance record of 3,321,319 and recorded 3.206 million through October. In 2024, the park also recorded its busiest September in history, with 602,339 visits recorded.

Which could also worsen congestion in the park next year. The Swiftcurrent area in the Valley of Many Glaciers will be closed to public access due to ongoing construction, which will significantly reduce the number of parking spaces in the area.

“In 2025, we are continuing the successful activities of the 2024 season, including access to Apgar Village, two medicines and the eastern entrance to the Going-to-the-Sun Road outside of the vehicle reservation system. Under this successful structure, we are going to try timed entry to see if we can minimize congestion, optimize visitor arrivals and improve the visitor experience,” Glacier National Park Superintendent Dave Roemer said in a prepared statement. “Timed entry has proven to be a valuable tool in other popular national parks and should reduce congestion and wait times at the western entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road.”

Here’s what to expect in Glacier National Park next summer.

Western entrance
A one-time vehicle entry reservation will be required to travel on the Going-to-the-Sun Road outside of Apgar Village from June 13 to September 28, 2025 between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm. Visitors can check in before 7:00 am or after 3:00 pm. without car reservation. As in previous years, visitors with lodging, camping, transportation or business reservations can access designated services in the Going-to-the-Sun Road reservation area by presenting proof of their reservation. Only commercial reservations made outside the Apgar Vehicle Reservation Checkpoint and west of Logan Pass will grant entry in lieu of a vehicle reservation.

As a reminder, lodging, camping (including Fish Creek and Apgar campgrounds) and business reservations made in Apgar do not provide access beyond the Apgar vehicle reservation checkpoint.

North Fork
At Polebridge Entry Station, from 13 June to 28 September 2025, between 7am and 3pm, a single entry booking will be required per vehicle. Visitors can enter before 7:00 am or after 3:00 pm without pre-booking a vehicle. No appointment is required to enter the village of Polebridge, located outside the park entrance.

Two Medicine Valley and Saint Mary’s
As in 2024, in 2025 a vehicle reservation will not be required to enter Two Medicine Valley or enter St. Mary’s on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Entry may be temporarily restricted at certain times of the day (usually from 10:00 to 24:00). evenings) when areas become too congested. Visitors who have booked services (eg boat tours, accommodation, horseback riding, guided treks) in these areas will be allowed entry during temporary restrictions.

Many glacial valleys
The Swiftcurrent area of ​​Manny Glacier Valley will close to public access in the summer of 2025 due to ongoing construction, the park previously said. The closure will significantly reduce the number of available parking spaces in the Valley of Many Glaciers. The park is currently exploring alternative options for access to the valley in 2025.

Vehicle reservations and entrance tickets
Car reservations will only be available recreation.govRecreation.gov mobile app or through the Recreation.gov call center (reservation line: 877-444-6777). Each of the designated areas of the park will require a separate reservation. Visitors will need to create an account on Recreation.gov to make a reservation. The only cost associated with the reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.

Vehicle booking will be available through two booking windows.

• A portion of reservations will be available up to 120 days in advance, or approximately four months, beginning February 12, 2025 at 8 a.m. PT on a rolling basis on Recreation.gov.
• Remaining car orders will be available at 19:00 Moscow time for entry the next day, starting June 12, 2025.

In addition to the vehicle reservation, each vehicle entering the park must have a pass to any entry point into the park. These passes may include any of the following: a $35 vehicle pass for seven days; valid interdepartmental annual/lifetime pass; or an annual pass to Glacier National Park. A vehicle reservation does not include an entry pass, and a park pass does not constitute a vehicle reservation.

Under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, tribal members within the park are not required to have vehicle reservations.

Visitors are encouraged to check park website frequently for updates and additional information.

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