Vehicle Reservations Alternatives- East Side of Glacier National Park - 2023 Update
These recommendations are based on vehicle reservation requirements for the 2023 season. Requirements for the 2024 season have evolved. Please visit our updated blog post and NPS.gov for the most current information.
The National Park Service has implemented a vehicle reservation requirement July 1st to September 10th, 2023 for the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, as well as the Many Glacier & Two Medicine Valleys. If you aren’t able to secure a reservation, the east side of the park still provides ample alternatives for an adventurous Glacier itinerary. Read on for our favorite options.
Spend your day hiking in Glacier without going through a park entrance. Visit our blog post for great east side hikes that don’t require access to Many Glacier, Two Medicine or the Going-to-the-Sun Road to enjoy.
Hop on the park shuttle at the St. Mary Visitor Center to access the Sun Road without a vehicle reservation. The park shuttle is free and provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a great option for accessing popular trailheads and Logan Pass.
Attend a Cultural Hike Workshop with Iron Shield Creative. Experience Blackfeet culture & traditions on a guided hike through Blackfeet Country. Click HERE for their calendar of events.
Explore the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier or Two Medicine after 3 pm. Ticketed entry is required between 6 am and 3 pm and with our late-setting summer sun, that still leaves ample time to hike and sightsee. Plan to catch the sunset at any of the park’s iconic vistas after the crowds have thinned for the day.
Experience world class fishing alongside the incredible views of the Blackfeet Nation. Arrange your trip with a local fishing guide and purchase a tribal fishing license here.
Book a tour with the Glacier Park Boat Company at any of their locations. A ticket for these highly enjoyable & informative lake tours will include access to your selected location for the entire day of your reservation. They offer tours in Many Glacier, Two Medicine, at Lake McDonald & on St. Mary Lake. For more details on all of the services within the park where vehicle access is included, visit NPS’s website.
Explore the neighboring Badger-Two Medicine area. Located immediately south of Glacier National Park, you’ll find the same beautiful terrain the park is famous for without the congestion. Hiking in this remote area requires know-how and precaution - visit the Glacier Two-Medicine Alliance website for information on how to safely explore the area.
Ride with Sun Tours on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Experience the sights of the Sun Road while learning about Blackfeet culture and their ancestral lands. A vehicle reservation is not required to partake in the tour.
Explore where the mountains meet the plains by road tripping through Glacier County. Take in the St. Mary Valley from the iron teepees located just south of St. Mary on Highway 89. Head north on Highway 17 to get the best views of Chief Mountain. Wind your way to East Glacier with spectacular sights on the seasonal Looking Glass Highway 49 and watch the Rocky Mountain Front unfurl along Highway 464.
Experience Waterton, Glacier’s Canadian counterpart. Grab your passports and head north to enjoy the continuance of the Rocky Mountain Front into Canada. An easy day trip from the east side, Waterton provides ample hiking, sightseeing & dining options with no vehicle reservations required.