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Time Running Out To Drive Entire Going-To-The-Sun Road At Glacier National Park

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Snow already has fallen on Glacier National Park this month, but that's not the reason you won't be able to drive the entire 50 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. No, crews are closing off a section of the road east of Logan Pass this coming Sunday night so they can work on rehabilitating the scenic roadway.

After Sunday, you won't be able to reach Logan Pass from the east side of the park until next summer.  Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground beginning Monday. Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the west side of the park through Sunday, October 19, weather permitting.

Fall access to east-side hiking trails between the St. Mary Campground and Logan Pass will be limited during road rehabilitation activity beginning Monday, September 22. Hikers wanting to hike any of the trails that are accessed, or may be an exit point, along the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are highly encouraged to contact the park at 406-888-7800 before departing. The trails that are affected include Siyeh Pass, Baring Basin, Piegan Pass, Otokomi, St. Mary Falls/Baring Falls/Virginia Falls, Gunsight and Sperry Trails. For more information on status of trails and access, please contact the park or visit the park's website.

Access to some backcountry campsites on the east side of the park will also be affected. All backcountry campers are required to have a permit from the park’s backcountry office for overnight stays. All backcountry permits must be obtained from the Apgar Permit Center at this time of the year. For more information on backcountry camping and trail access, please contact the park at 888-7800 or visit the park's website.

On another matter, park officials say times and locations for boat inspections for boats launching in Glacier National Park are changing. Inspections for the west side of the park will be conducted at the Apgar Backcountry Office, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through the end of October. Boat inspections for the east side of the park, Many Glacier and Two Medicine areas, are by appointment only. Appointments are available by contacting the park at 406-888-7800.

 The Logan Pass Visitor Center will be open through this Sunday, September 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Apgar Visitor Center and the St. Mary Visitor Center are open through October 5, 8 a.m.–5p.m. daily.

Visitors to the Many Glacier area of the park should be aware that the replacement of the Swiftcurrent Bridge will begin shortly after the Many Glacier Hotel closes for the season on Sunday, September 21. Visitors can expect short delays beginning September 26. As of September 29, there will be no vehicle or pedestrian traffic as the bridge is replaced.

It is anticipated that the work to replace the bridge will continue through mid-November. Access to Cracker Lake and the Piegan Trail will be through the Grinnell Picnic Area, at the Grinnell Trailhead. The Swiftcurrent Bridge is located at the foot of Swiftcurrent Lake and provides vehicle and pedestrian access to the Many Glacier Hotel Historic District, and the Many Glacier Hotel.

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.

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