Skip to main content

Don’t miss out: This is when Glacier National Park reservations open for 2025

Sleep and you'll miss it! Going-to-the-Sun Road reservations open soon

The Garden Wall along the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park.
National Park Service

Glacier National Park is one of those other-worldly places that don’t seem real. Thousands of people from across the world flock to see these postcard-worthy sights, so it’s not a surprise that the National Park Service has seen to implementing a timed-entry reservation system for entering the park starting in 2021. While reservations can be a bit of a hassle to acquire, they have become necessary in order to manage crowds, protect important resources, and keep park amenities and infrastructures in good shape. If you’re looking to snag a coveted timed-entry reservation to Glacier National Park for this summer, don’t wait. Here’s what you need to know.

Glacier National Park allows visitors to reserve their timed-entry tickets 120 days in advance. Keep in mind, this is different than the entrance pass. Reservations are required from June 13 to September 28 this year. This means that on February 13, 2025, the first round of reservations will be released. You’ll need a reservation to go to the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork, but if you’re going through Apgar Village, Two Medicine, or St. Mary, you won’t need a reservation.

Recommended Videos

According to the National Park Service, there will be four different time blocks for Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork:

  • 7 am to 9 am
  • 9 am to 11 am
  • 11 am to 1 pm
  • 1 pm to 3 pm

Visitors without a reservation may enter after 3 pm, and those with lodging, camping, or commercial activity reservations within the Going-to-the-Sun Road area can enter with a proof of reservation. Keep in mind that this summer, there will be limited parking due to the Swiftcurrent area construction, so personal access to Many Glacier will be restricted.

Sarah Joseph
With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, Sarah is always thrilled to share nature with others through…
Peak season, minus the people: National parks to visit in June
June is one of the best times to visit a national park. Here are the top ones on my list.
sunset in Yosemite

For most national parks, June is the busiest season of the year. School's out, vacation's in full swing, and families have been planning for months for a little adventure. Yosemite is one of these crown jewels, with its waterfalls full of snowmelt and the weather finally perfect enough for hiking. However, with the timed entry reservations so difficult to snag, you might be better off finding another national park for your summer adventures. Here's my list of the top national parks to visit in June.
North Cascades National Park

Known as the "American Alps," North Cascades National Park holds a similar candle to the Austrian Alps. With its rugged and remote glaciers, jagged peaks, and jaw-dropping waterfalls, you'll see some amazing sights. In June, the melted snow reveals famous trails like the Cascade Pass, with wildflowers growing this way and that. Personally, I can't tear my eyes away from the deep turquoise lakes.

Read more
A guide to Petrified Forest, the national park no one talks about
A practical itinerary for Arizona's most underrated park
Sweeping view of the Blue Mesa Trail cutting through layered clay hills in Petrified Forest National Park, rich in color and texture.

On a meandering drive to the Grand Canyon, a small brown sign for the Petrified Forest National Park caught my eye, and I decided to pull in for just a moment. That brief stop turned into an uncharted adventure in one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Arizona, boasting jewel-toned hills, sweeping desert views, and 225 million-year-old fossilized logs.

The whimsical land holds as much awe and surprise as the coveted Yellowstone or Death Valley National Parks, but without the crowds. Driving the length of the park takes less than an hour, making it a comfortable half-day trip. But it's worth it to linger for the viewpoints, scenic hikes, and a dazzling sunset.

Read more
This national park has new rules after too many close calls with wolves
Here's how to keep your food safe from wolves this summer
Passage Island Lighthouse, Isle Royale National Park

With the increasing number of wolf encounters in the area, the National Park Service at Isle Royale National Park has implemented new food storage regulations, effective immediately. These new regulations aim to keep both wildlife and visitors safe while exploring the beautiful Great Lakes of Michigan. While these regulations are mandatory, I would recommend taking a note from them, no matter what national park you're headed to next.

The Isle Royale area is well-known for its wolf population, and at the park, there have been increased interactions between wolves and humans due to improperly stored food and trash, especially in areas like Rock Harbor and the eastern campgrounds. These items include all food, trash, cooking supplies, utensils, and toiletries.

Read more