How far in advance should one purchase a park pass, vehicle reservation and a pass to drive the Going to the Sun road? I haven’t been in a NP in a few years but it’s time to add in some US sights! All these pass and reservation requirements are new to me. The current plan is to visit in August 2025. I know I need to get cracking on accommodations. We’ll likely travel up to the Banff area as well.
Many thanks!
This webpage has a lot of the information you are looking for.
https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/vehicle-reservations.htm
I did want to add that sometimes you can see a great deal more if you are not driving your own vehicle but take one of the bus tours. We had been to Glacier several times over the years, but one year my husband said we should try the bus tour. He was shocked at how much more he was able to see and enjoy the park when he wasn't concentrating on driving.
Vehicle Reservation Release Dates
A portion of vehicle reservations will be available 120 days or approximately four months in advance, starting on February 12, 2025, at 8 am MST on a daily rolling basis.
Next Day vehicle reservations will be available at 7 pm MDT for next-day entry starting on June 12, 2025 on a daily rolling basis.
Vehicle reservations can only be booked on Recreation.gov
From the link Carol provided.
I used the system for a Sept. visit to Arches NP, and it was straightforward and easy. Do not delay once you know when you will be there. The best times go fast.
You do not need to purchase the Park entry pass ahead of time. If you are visiting more than one National Park or Federal fee area the America the Beautiful Pass for $80/year is often a better deal than individual park entries. If you are 62 or older you qualify for a Senior Pass which is $80 for a lifetime. You can buy this at the 1st National Park Entrance gate you come to.
As you can see on the link Carol provided the timed entry vehicle registration is separate from the park entry pass. Follow Joe’s advice and book your vehicle registration as soon as the purchase time frame lines up with your dates.
Are you staying in the park?
Reservations for some of the lodges and/or reservations for some activities mean that you don’t need a vehicle timed entry reservation for driving the Going to the Sun Road. It’s a bit complicated. For example reservations at Lake McDonald Lodge qualify but reservations at Apgar do not.
There are some good people over on the TA Forum that explain well.
Most of the in-park lodging is full for August, but check daily. Cancellations pop up intermittently.
Thanks for the helpful information. We aren't planning to stay in the park but I clearly have to get our plans finalized very soon!
one more question - we need a vehicle reservation to drive the Going to the sun road but do we need a vehicle reservation just to access the park?
Background: Glacier NP used to be mostly accessed from the East either by a long drive across the Great Plains or by train. The flagship hotel of the park and the best views are here on the east side. You do not need to make any reservations in 2025 to enjoy the “classic” park visit, even driving Going to the Sun Hwy is unrestricted to those staying on the east side (St Mary, Manyglacier Lodge).
Starting about 40 years ago Americans adopted a fast food approach to travel, short getaways of a few days and only flying every where. This shifted the focus for Glacier to the west (airport) side. The reservation system was put into effect to deal with crowds for people staying on the west side, like Columbia Falls.
You might look at staying on the east side.
You will need a form of National Park pass to enter the park. Whether you need the vehicle registration depends on the rest of your plan.
I see TexasTravelMom and I have the same idea. If heading up to Banff you need to get to the east side of Glacier anyway so might as well stay here. St Mary is a great tourist hamlet with views just on the park boundary, but you will have to forgo the water parks and Denny’s of Columbia Falls if you stay on the east side.
Many thanks again for all the helpful information. Dennys and water parks? That I can definitely do without!
True confessions, toby, I will be staying on both sides in August. And hoping for little wildfire smoke….. but I’m not going on to Banff, although I’d love to. (Am going with someone who has no passport and doesn’t want one - lol.) I am definitely wishing for more nights on the east side, though.
TTM: If you have reservations for Manyglacier I am jealous but enjoy it if you do.
Aside from the enhanced driver’s license (I don’t think Texas has these) which is an official document to cross by land into Canada without a passport, a Nexus card or tribal ID would work. Not sure if it’s possible to get a Nexus card without a passport.
Edit: One does not need a passport to get a Nexus card.
toby, just one night, but it’s the focal point around which I built the rest of the 2 week trip. Lol. Also the most expensive hotel night of my life. Sigh.
I'm not sure that the report that one can get a NEXUS card without a passport is accurate. I had to have one when I applied for and received my NEXUS card. The process for NEXUS is long as the wait to get an interview appointment can be quite long. Unless you are really planning to cross the border frequently, just use your passport.
Toby - thanks for the book recommendation!
TTM: bust my buttons, Texas put the enhanced dl regs in place early this year so it’s coming. Texas will be the 7th state to offer it.
Carol: Both the CAN and USA government sites say a birth certificate + photo ID can replace a passport in the application process. I was also surprised to read both governments accept a Nexus card for commercial airline arrival w/o a passport.
