Your planning guide
Glacier National Park
Everything you need to plan your visit — entrance passes, timed-entry reservations, Going to the Sun Road timing, what to pack, and when to come. Straight from a team that lives 11 miles from the west entrance.
Glacier National Park · West Entrance · Columbia Falls, MT
Getting there
From Wonderstone to the Park
Wonderstone at Glacier is at 7336 US Highway 2 East in Columbia Falls — exactly 11 miles from the West Glacier entrance on the same highway. No complicated backroads, no two-lane mountain confusion. Just 15 minutes on a straight shot east.
The west entrance feeds directly to Apgar Village and the foot of Lake McDonald, the free park shuttle system, and the western trailheads. It's also the only public access to Going to the Sun Road from this side of the Continental Divide.
West Glacier Entrance
11 miles · ~15 min
Apgar Village / Lake McDonald
~14 miles · ~18 min
Logan Pass (Sun Road)
~36 miles · ~50 min (when open)
Glacier Park Intl Airport (FCA)
~20–25 min north
Whitefish
~20 min west on Hwy 2
East Glacier / St. Mary Entrance
~2 hrs via Sun Road or Hwy 2 south
Flying in?
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell is about 20–25 minutes north of the hotel and offers direct summer service from Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, and Dallas. Rent a car at the airport — you'll want your own wheels for the park.
Before you arrive
Entrance Fees & Passes
Fees are set by the NPS and change periodically — always verify at nps.gov/glac before your visit.
7-Day Vehicle Pass
Per Car
Covers all occupants of a single private, non-commercial vehicle. Valid for 7 consecutive days from purchase. Most popular option for road-trip families and groups arriving together.
Verify current price at nps.gov/glac
Per-Person Pass
Foot & Bike
For visitors arriving on foot, bicycle, or motorcycle — charged per person, not per vehicle. Covers the same 7-day window. Useful if you're shuttling in without a car.
Verify current price at nps.gov/glac
Best value if you're visiting more than one park
America the Beautiful Annual Pass
$80/year (or free for qualifying seniors, military, and others) covers entrance to all 400+ NPS sites and other federal lands for 12 months. Pays for itself in a single multi-park trip.
Buy online at store.usgs.gov →Passes purchased online can be collected at the entrance gate. Cash and card accepted at the gate. Annual pass holders: bring the pass card and a valid photo ID.
Summer planning essential
Timed-Entry Vehicle Reservations
To manage peak-season congestion on Going to the Sun Road, Glacier National Park requires advance vehicle reservations during summer morning and midday windows. These cover the stretch between Apgar and St. Mary — essentially the full road over Logan Pass.
Reservations open on recreation.gov in rolling 60-day windows and routinely sell out within minutes of release. The specific dates, time windows, and reservation rules shift every season, so treat official NPS communications as the only reliable source.
Check the current year's rules first
The system has changed meaningfully every year since 2020. Visit nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/vehiclereservations.htm before assuming last year's process applies.
No reservation? Take the free shuttle
The Glacier National Park transit system runs the full length of Going to the Sun Road in summer and requires no vehicle reservation. Catch it at Apgar Village, 14 miles from the hotel.
Early birds and late arrivals slip through
Timed-entry windows typically cover peak morning hours. Arriving before the window opens (often before 6 AM) or after it closes (often after 3–5 PM) may not require a reservation. Verify current window times at nps.gov/glac.
Our front desk tracks this daily
During summer season we monitor window changes, permit drops, and shuttle schedules in real time. Ask us at check-in for the latest intel.
Official source
Always verify at nps.gov/glac
Reservation windows, pricing, and policies are updated by the NPS each season. The park website is the only authoritative source — any third-party summary (including this one) may be out of date.
The crown jewel
Going to the Sun Road
50 miles across the Continental Divide. One of the greatest feats of highway engineering ever built. Verify the opening date before you drive.
April – May
Spring thaw
Lower sections only
West approach and Apgar accessible. Logan Pass closed. Snow removal crews work the high country.
Late May – Late June
Partial opening
Opening progressively
Lower Sun Road opens. Logan Pass targeted for late June – early July depending on snowpack.
Early July – Mid-October
Full opening
All 50 miles open
Peak season. Timed-entry reservations likely required. Free shuttle running full schedule.
Mid-October onward
Fall closure
Closes in stages
High sections close first, lower sections by mid-to-late October. Lower roads open year-round to foot travel.
Snowpack changes the calendar every year.
Logan Pass opening dates vary by weeks depending on winter snowfall. Check nps.gov/glac road opening status — don't plan your Sun Road day without verifying the current date.
When to come
Best Times to Visit
There's no wrong answer — every season has something remarkable. Here's how the windows stack up.
Late June – Early July
Sun Road opening buzz, waterfalls at peak snowmelt volume, wildflowers starting in lower meadows. Timed-entry may begin but demand is lighter than August. Smart early-season window.
Mid-July – Mid-August
Logan Pass fully open, all trails accessible, park shuttles running full schedule, huckleberries ripening. Also the busiest, hottest, and most competitive for permits. Book months in advance.
Late August – September
Crowds thin noticeably after Labor Day, huckleberry season peaks, the light turns gold. Timed-entry windows often end. Larch trees begin turning in late September. This is arguably the best value window of the year.
October
Western larch trees turn a brilliant amber-gold across the mountains — one of Montana's most underrated spectacles. Elk are bugling in the meadows. The Sun Road closes in stages but lower areas stay open.
Whenever you come, staying 11 miles out means you beat the entrance-gate rush.
First cars in line at sunrise, last car out at sunset. That's the advantage of sleeping at Wonderstone.
Be prepared
What to Pack
Glacier rewards prepared visitors and humbles the underprepared. Here's what to bring — or at least think about — before you head in.
Sun & Weather
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ — alpine UV is intense even on cloudy days
- Sunglasses and a wide-brim hat
- Rain layer or light waterproof shell — afternoon storms build fast in July and August
- Extra layers; Logan Pass can be 30°F colder than the valley floor
Trail Essentials
- Bear spray — not optional in Glacier; rent locally if you can't fly with it
- Trekking poles for steep switchbacks and snowfield crossings
- Plenty of water (2+ liters) and a filter or purification tabs
- High-energy snacks — the park has limited resupply options on trail
Footwear & Gear
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support — trail surfaces range from pavement to talus
- Gaiters if visiting before mid-July (lingering snowfields on high routes)
- Dry bag or pack cover for rain and stream crossings
- Headlamp with fresh batteries for pre-dawn starts
Permits & Documents
- Entrance pass (America the Beautiful or purchased at the gate)
- Timed-entry vehicle reservation screenshot saved offline — cell service is spotty
- Trail map downloaded to your phone or printed; the park sells paper maps at visitor centers
- Emergency contact info written on paper — not just in your phone
Bear spray: Bear encounters are real in Glacier. If you're flying in and can't bring bear spray, ask our front desk — we'll tell you the closest rental option. It's worth the $10–12/day.
Traveling with pets
Pets in Glacier National Park
Pets are welcome in the park, but the access rules are stricter than most guests expect. Understanding the limits before you arrive avoids disappointment at the trailhead.
Allowed
Paved roads and parking areas, front-country campgrounds, the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk (on-leash), picnic areas, and the shores of Lake McDonald near Apgar.
Not allowed
Nearly all trails (including backcountry), unpaved roads, visitor centers, ranger stations, and any NPS-operated buildings. Most of Glacier's iconic hikes are off-limits to pets.
Always required
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Waste must be picked up and packed out. Never leave a pet unattended in a vehicle — summer temperatures in parking areas can be dangerous.
Always verify current pet policies at nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/pets.htm before your visit — rules may change.
Please note: Wonderstone is a no-pet property.
For the comfort of all our guests, pets aren’t permitted (trained service animals excepted) — see our Terms & Conditions. Traveling with a dog? We’re glad to suggest nearby boarding so you can explore the park.
Common questions
Park Planning FAQ
The questions we hear most often at the front desk — answered honestly.
Wonderstone at Glacier sits on US Highway 2 in Columbia Falls, exactly 11 miles from the West Glacier entrance — about 15 minutes by car. That's close enough to be first in line at sunrise, and far enough to escape the entrance-gate traffic when you return for dinner.
Entrance fees change from year to year, so always check nps.gov/glac for the current rate. A 7-day vehicle pass covers your whole car. If you'll be visiting multiple national parks, the America the Beautiful Annual Pass (available at the gate or online) is typically the best value and covers all federal lands for a full year.
In peak summer (roughly late May through Labor Day), the park often requires advance vehicle reservations to drive Going to the Sun Road between Apgar and St. Mary during busy morning and midday windows. Reservations open on recreation.gov in rolling 60-day windows and sell out within minutes. Check nps.gov/glac for the current year's reservation system — rules shift season to season. No reservation? The free park shuttle runs the length of the road and requires no permit.
Snowpack determines everything. The lower elevations open in spring, but the high stretch over Logan Pass typically doesn't open until late June or early July — sometimes later in heavy-snow years. Check road opening status at nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/roadopenings.htm before you plan your Sun Road day. Our front desk tracks this daily during the season.
Pets are allowed in Glacier but with significant restrictions. They must remain on a leash (max 6 ft) at all times, are prohibited from most trails (including all backcountry), and may not enter visitor centers or ranger stations. Pets are welcome in parking areas, campgrounds, and on paved roads and the Trail of the Cedars. Leaving a pet in a parked car is strongly discouraged given temperature extremes. Check nps.gov/glac for the full current pet policy. Note: Wonderstone itself is a no-pet property (service animals excepted) — see our Terms & Conditions.
The park boundary is open 24/7, 365 days a year. However, most roads (including Going to the Sun Road over Logan Pass) close to vehicles in mid-October and don't reopen until late spring or summer. In winter, several lower-elevation trails and roads are open to foot travel, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Apgar and the foot of Lake McDonald are accessible year-round.
Overnight backcountry camping in Glacier requires a permit, available through the park's reservation system on recreation.gov (with a walk-up window on the day of travel). Day hiking does not require a permit. Check nps.gov/glac for current backcountry rules, quotas, and campsite availability.
Cell service is reliable in Columbia Falls and Whitefish, and spotty to nonexistent along most of Going to the Sun Road and in the backcountry. Download maps, reservations, and emergency contacts to your phone before you enter the park. Our hotel has reliable Wi-Fi.
Official resources
Plan at nps.gov/glac
Everything on this page is a general orientation. Fees, reservation windows, road status, and trail conditions change season to season. The NPS website is the only authoritative source — and it's genuinely useful.
Your base camp
Sleep 11 Miles from the Gate
Wake up at Wonderstone, drive 15 minutes, and be first in line at the west entrance. Best rate guaranteed when you book direct — no OTA fees, free cancellation, and a front desk team that tracks park conditions daily.
Best rate guaranteed · No OTA fees · Free cancellation