A Local’s Guide to Glacier National Park

Everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip 

So you’ve planned that trip to Glacier and now you’re trying to sort through all the 2026 changes and make sure you don’t miss anything important. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

Hi! I’m Brittany. I live just outside Glacier National Park and spend a lot of my time helping visitors plan their trips.

I put together this guide to answer some of the questions I get asked most often and help you navigate the biggest changes coming to Glacier this summer.

If you’d rather skip the research altogether, I offer custom Glacier itineraries and trip-planning consultations tailored to your travel dates, interests, hiking ability, and travel style.

Not ready for that? No worries. Follow @brittanyinmt on Instagram or TikTok for Glacier tips, updates, and recommendations.

Let’s jump right into it.

What’s New in 2026: 

No More Vehicle Reservations

In 2026, you do not need a vehicle reservation to drive into Glacier. However, you do still need a a Standard, Annual, or America the Beautiful Pass to enter the park.

Because vehicle reservations will not be required in 2026, it’s possible that areas of the park such as Many Glacier, Two Medicine or the North Fork may be temporarily closed when they reach capacity.

I always recommend having a daily back up plan. 

Logan Pass Will Have a 3-Hour Parking Limit from July 1- September 7

Parking at Logan Pass is limited to three hours in 2026, and before you ask, yes, they’re enforcing it. 

Three hours is enough time to hike to Hidden Lake Overlook or visit the Logan Pass Visitor Center, however if hiking the Highline in its entirety is on your Glacier bucket list, you should plan to park somewhere other than Logan Pass or utilize the park shuttle.

Shuttles Are Now Reservation-Only

The park shuttle is now a paid, ticketed system that offers an express route to Logan Pass. 

Tickets can be booked through recreation.gov and have two booking windows: either 60 days in advance at 8am MDT, or next-day tickets that are released daily at 7pm MDT beginning on June 30.

  • West side route departures: 
    • Apgar Transit Center 
    • Lake McDonald Lodge 
  • East side route departures: 
    • St. Mary Visitor Center 
    • Rising Sun

The shuttles will not service additional locations along Going to the Sun Road, including Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars. You can find more detailed shuttle information here. 

I will call out that shuttle tickets are extremely limited this year, and unless you’ve already secured tickets during your trip dates, I would make alternative arrangements to get to your destination. 

Construction Impacts 

The Two Medicine area will experience closures in the fall of 2026 for a utility and road rehabilitation project. The campground is closed in 2026 to replace outdated water and wastewater systems.

Construction at the Polebridge Ranger Station will begin August 2026, but is expected to have minimal impact to visitors until October 4, 2026. Public access to Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake will remain unaffected by construction. 

Sun Tours and Red Bus Departure Change

Tours that previously left from the Apgar Visitor Center now depart from the Quarter Circle Parking Lot. 

Glacier Park International Airport Closure in July 2026 

In July, Glacier International Airport will be undergoing runway reconstruction. 

The main runway will be closed for critical repaving for four consecutive weeks, with flights only operating Friday morning through Monday evening from July 6–31.

If you planned on flying in or out on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday in July, you’ll need an alternate airport. Missoula is roughly 2.5 hours from the west entrance while Great Falls is about 2.5 hours from the St. Mary entrance. 

Park Orientation Guide 

One of the biggest points of confusion for first-time visitors is understanding how Glacier National Park is laid out. The park is massive, and many attractions are much farther apart than people expect. There are seven entrances to Glacier:

  • West Glacier 
  • St. Mary 
  • Many Glacier 
  • Two Medicine 
  • Polebridge 
  • Camas Creek
  • Cut Bank

Going to the Sun Road is the main road that connects the West Glacier entrance to the St. Mary entrance and it typically opens late June/early July and closes in late September/mid October. 

Many first-time visitors underestimate just how much driving is involved. Going to the Sun Road alone takes roughly 2 hours to drive one way without significant stops, and many of the park’s most popular areas are not connected by the scenic road at all. Definitely plan to spend a significant amount of time in the car, but don’t worry, the drives are incredibly scenic and are part of the experience.

Most visitors use the west entrance as their basecamp to Glacier since many visitors stay in Columbia Falls, Whitefish, or Kalispell. 

First Timer Checklist 

Glacier is one of those parks where the “must-do” list depends on how much time you have, where you’re staying, and how packed you want your trip. If it’s your first visit, these are the experiences and hikes that give you the biggest “wow” factor:

  • Driving Going to the Sun Road… more than once! 
  • Eat an ice cream cone by Lake McDonald 
  • Do sunrise in the park one day
  • Have one Glacier boat experience (kayak, motor boat, or a tour) 
  • Take a Red Bus Tour along Going to the Sun Road

Hiking Highlights

Hike recommendations are tricky because everyone’s stamina and comfort level is different. I recommend checking recent trail reviews, elevation gain, and conditions before you commit since you know your body best. With that said, these are my top “first timer” hikes in Glacier:

  • Easy: 
    • Fishercap Lake: High probability of a moose sighting in the morning and evening 
  • Moderate: 
    • Hidden Lake Overlook: The best “bang for your buck” hike in Glacier 
    • Avalanche Lake: It’s one of the most popular hikes for a reason 
  • Hard
    • Grinnell Glacier: Harder hike with epic views of Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier 

Know Before You Go 

Cell service is extremely limited in Glacier National Park. While you may have service in some developed areas like Apgar or St. Mary, you should not rely on your phone for navigation, or communication once you’re inside the park.

Before entering the park, I recommend:

  • Downloading offline maps through Google Maps or your preferred navigation app
  • Taking screenshots of any reservations, shuttle tickets, or important trip details
  • Checking trail conditions and park alerts ahead of time
  • Text GNPROADS, GNPTRAILS, and GNPCGS to 333111 to get live updates

Wildlife Awareness & Safety 

Bears and other wildlife are present in the park and have been a hot topic due to recent attacks in the park this spring. It’s imperative to rent or buy bear spray during your trip and carry it on you, even at roadside pull-offs. 

You can rent or buy bear spray at multiple locations in and around the park, but airlines will not permit you to travel with it even in your checked bag. 

Once you have your bear spray, familiarize yourself with how to use it. 

  • Keep your spray easily accessible. Do not keep it inside your pack when hiking! 
  • Make noise to alert bears of your presence, especially around rushing water
  • Hike in groups
  • Stay at least 100 yards away from bears or wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife

Local Favs

One of the questions I get asked most often is, “What are your favorite things to do around Glacier?” While the park itself is the main attraction, there are so many amazing restaurants, local shops, and experiences that are worth exploring. This list is by no means exhaustive, but these are a few of the places and experiences I find myself recommending again and again.

Local Restaurants

Local Shops 

Favorite Non Hiking Activities

There is nothing like seeing Glacier for the first time, and I can’t even explain how much joy it brings me watching visitors experience those special moments in the park, like that first glimpse of the mountains, spotting a mountain goat along the trail, or touching the colorful rocks at Lake McDonald. I hope this guide helps you make the most of your trip and create some epic memories along the way.

Every Glacier trip is a little different, so if you find yourself wanting those personalized recommendations or you just have questions that you can’t find answers to online, feel free to inquire about custom itineraries or Glacier consultations.

For more Glacier tips, updates, recommendations, and trip inspo, follow @brittanyinmt on Instagram or TikTok.

See you in the park! 

-Brittany