How to get into Glacier without a reservation (without sneaking in)

In the Flathead Valley, there is only one thing worse than the F word and that’s the R word (Reservation system). If you haven’t heard of it yet, you can read more about it here, although I am almost certain that anyone planning their dream elopement or family vacation to Glacier National Park already knows how confusing and ever changing the whole process is. 

At this point we can’t even keep track of when the windows for reservations open. Last I checked, when the moon is in equinox, on the fourth Tuesday before the second Wednesday before you visit from 6-8 am you can reserve even days and then from 6-8 pm you can reserve odd days…if your last name starts with A-M, and if you were born from 1965-1995 you have to wait until winter solstice and the blood red moon eclipses the night sky. And then carry the 1, except after C.

Joking!!! Kinda 

Ok, here’s the info for getting a ticket.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/vehicle-reservations.htm

Confused? Didn’t get a ticket in the specific one second allotted to you to snag one? Still want to visit? Where does that leave you? 

Reading this article I presume (; 

In 2024, a vehicle reservation is required for three areas of the park from 6am-3pm:

1. Going-to-the-Sun Road West Entrance (May 24 – Sept 8)
2. North Fork (May 24 – Sept 8)
3. Many Glacier (July 1 – Sept 8)
   Each location has unique details and requires a separate reservation.

No vehicle reservation will required to enter the following areas of the park:

• Two Medicine Valley
• Apgar Village Area
• Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east entrance
• Any entrance station before 6am or after 3pm

The map below highlights the areas where the vehicle reservation system is in effect as well as details on each location.

When and How To Book:
A portion of reservations will be available 120 days or approximately four months advance, starting on Jan. 25, 2024, at 8 a.m. MST on a rolling basis.
New in 2024, the remaining vehicle reservations will be available at 7 p.m. MDT for next-day entry starting on May 23, 2024.
All reservations will be available on Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov app, or the Recreation.gov Call Center (877-444-6777). They are not available for purchase at the park. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.

West Entrance of Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR)

One reservation per vehicle will be required to travel Going-to-the-Sun Road beyond the Apgar Village area from May 24 through Sept. 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors can enter before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation.

New in 2024, vehicle reservations will be valid for one day only, down from three days in 2023.

Also new in 2024, visitors will be able to access Apgar Village amenities, including the Apgar Visitor Center, without a vehicle reservation. Lodging, camping (including front country developed campgrounds and backcountry camping permits), transportation, or commercial activity reservations originating in Apgar will no longer provide access beyond the Apgar filter check point.

North Fork Area

One reservation per vehicle will be required at the entrance station May 24 through Sept. 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reservations are good for one day.
Visitors can enter before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation.
There are no changes in the North Fork from 2023.*

Many Glacier

One reservation per vehicle will be required at the entrance station July 1 through Sept. 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reservations are good for one day.
Visitors can enter the valley before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation.
There are no changes in Many Glacier from 2023.
Visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity reservations in the Many Glacier Valley can use their service reservation receipt for entry in lieu of the $2 vehicle reservation from Recreation.gov.

Like previous years, visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity reservations within the specified reservation areas can use proof of their reservation for entry in lieu of a Recreation.gov reservation to gain access to the portion of the park for which they have a reservation.
Additional details about the vehicle reservation system can be found on the GNP website.

SOLUTIONS

1. Get up Early

Enter before 6 AM. Well that’s simple enough.

2. Stay up late

Did you know the sun sets really late here! My friend who moved here (shhhhhh she was the last one we let in) calls it “second evening.”  In July the sun doesn’t set until 9:30! So enter the park around 3pm, or even better 3:30, once everyone else “in the know” has entered and get 6 hours of hiking in! And the sunsets are spectacular! And you get to sleep in! And the park is much quieter! and hello, sunset!!!!

3. Time your visit

OUTSIDE of July 1- September 10 you can explore the North Fork, East Glacier, Many Glacier AND Going to the Sun Road (call it the GTSR to sound like a local) starting at St. Marys WITHOUT a reservation! So enter there and exit at the West entrance! It is an extra drive but it’s all gorgeous.

4. Take a Shuttle

You can now access the shuttle in West Glacier at Apgar without a vehicle reservation! Problem solved.

The park shuttle system is free, first come first serve.

There is another shuttle system (not free but also first come, first served) and that is accessed outside of the park! https://www.glacierparkcollection.com/plan-your-trip/getting-around

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm

5. Book Lodging Accommodations 

Book a stay at any campground, hotel, or lodge and that gets you inside the park for the duration of your reservation.  

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

6. Boat, bike or kayak rental or boat ride.

A boat rental or boat ride reservation gains you access to that section of the park for the day of the boat ride. Which is pretty sweet cause the boat rides are super fun!

Glacier Park Boat Company

Lake McDonald

St. Mary Lake (Rising Sun Boat Dock)

Two Medicine

Many Glacier

Glacier Outfitters

7. Have a horseback riding adventure

Saddle up and explore the park before or after…and during!

Swan Mountain Outfitters

• Apgar Corral
• Lake McDonald Corral
• Many Glacier Corral

8. Book a tour

These are more expensive but a very memorable way to see the park!

Red Bus Tour Reservations https://secure.glaciernationalparklodges.com/booking/activities

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

9. Hire a guide!

Hire a guide to take you fishing or hiking or even rafting! that will get you in and will be fun to “boot”…like “hiking boot”…..

Glacier Institute

Glacier Guides

10. Elope in Glacier

Okay, so maybe this one is a little extreme if you weren’t already planning on running away with your sweetheart to the remote wilderness of Glacier Park and booking the two most charismatic photographers in the state to capture it all. 

But honestly if you weren’t already planning on doing that then, like, what are you even doing with your life? 

How embarrassing. Sounds like you should probably reflect and reevaluate. 

When you apply and are accepted to have a wedding ceremony in glacier national park your wedding permit acts as the reservation ticket for you and your guests for the day of your ceremony. The permit allows a certain amount of cars in your party to enter as well.

Already married? Can you say VOW RENEWAL