Renowned for an abundance of breathtaking glaciers and pristine alpine lakes,
Glacier National Park is one of Montana’s most captivating destinations. From the park’s mountainous landscapes to the jaw-dropping vistas along Going-to-the-Sun Road, a Glacier National Park road trip is an absolute haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
The stunning park has recently skyrocketed in popularity, leading to far more congestion at popular hiking trails, scenic drives, overlooks, and when camping in Glacier National Park. To account for this dramatic increase in visitors, reservations are now required to enter certain areas of the park during peak times.
If you want to visit Glacier National Park this summer, you’ll need to get a permit. Below, we’ve outlined exactly
how Glacier National Park’s reservation system works, why it’s necessary, and how you can obtain your own park permits. Once you’ve secured your reservations,
rent your camper van from Seattle and get ready to embark on the ultimate road trip to Montana!
Are Glacier National Park Reservations Necessary?
Glacier National Park in Montana has
recently implemented a reservation system which will go into effect in the Spring of 2025. However, permits will only be needed for two areas of the park: the west side of
Going-to-the-Sun Road and the
North Fork.
It’s important to note that both locations will require their own separate timed entry reservations. For each of these areas, Glacier National Park vehicle reservations will be mandatory from June through September for anyone wishing to enter the park from 7am- 3pm. Visitors are given a two-hour time window to enter the park, and are free to stay for as long as they’d like. If you miss your time block, then you’ll need to wait until after 3pm to enter the park.
What if you Can’t Book a Glacier National Park Reservation?
Reservations are only needed from 7am-3pm, so as long as you enter the park before or after that time frame, then you won’t need a Glacier National Park permit. Additionally, if you have a campground or tour booked in either of the areas that require reservations, then you don’t need to obtain a vehicle permit. Your Glacier National Park reservation is automatically included with your booking.
Glacier National Park Campground Reservations
There are
numerous campgrounds in Glacier National Park, seven of which require advanced reservations. Each of these campgrounds can be booked up to six months before your stay, and are available on a rolling basis. The majority of these campgrounds are located in the Going-to-the-Sun Road area of the park, and reserving one of these sites will automatically include access to this area.
There are also several
first come, first served campgrounds throughout the park, particularly in the North Fork area. If you opt to stay at one of these sites, then you will still need to ensure that you have a timed entry permit if you’re planning to arrive before 3pm.
Explore Glacier National Park with Escape Camper Vans
Now that you have your Glacier National Park reservations sorted, you’re ready to embark on the ultimate Montana road trip! While you’ll need to drive nine hours from Seattle to Glacier National Park, we guarantee the awe-inspiring mountains and magnificent hikes that await you will be well worth the effort. All that’s left is to pack your hiking boots, book your permits, and
reserve your dream Escape Camper Van today!
