Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana stretches to the Canadian border, protecting about one million acres (4,100 km²) of high mountains, alpine lakes, and forests. You come for the Going-to-the-Sun Road over the Continental Divide, the hiking trails above the treeline, and the wildlife, from mountain goats to grizzlies.Completed in 1932, the Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the park for about 50 miles (80 km), reaching 6,646 feet (2,026 m) at Logan Pass. To the west lies the 10-mile (16 km) long Lake McDonald, and to the east Many Glacier on Swiftcurrent Lake. In the mid-19th century the area had around 150 glaciers; by 2010, only 25 remained active.Practical infoEntrance fee: In summer you pay a per-vehicle fee valid for 7 days, and the entrances do not accept cash. Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an additional $100 per person unless they hold an America the Beautiful Pass. Current fees are listed at nps.gov/glac.Access rules: The rules for the Going-to-the-Sun Road change from season to season. Depending on the year, you may need a vehicle reservation, parking time at Logan Pass may be limited, and the shuttle may require tickets booked in advance. Check the current requirements at nps.gov/glac before your trip.Season: The alpine section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road has no fixed opening date; it opens only once plowing is complete. The road is usually fully open by early July, and in recent years it has opened between mid-June and mid-July. It generally stays open until the third Monday in October.Vehicles: Between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, vehicles longer than 21 feet (6.4 m) or wider than 8 feet (2.4 m), including mirrors, are prohibited.