Member Resource Going-to-the-Sun Ticketed Entry Fact Sheet

Key Facts and Considerations

The mission of the National Park System is t o preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

The Going-to-the-Sun road will require ticketed entry from May 28 to September 6th, 2021. Tickets will start going on sale April 29th at 8am MST, and can be reserved 60 days in advance. Note that tickets May 28-June 28 will be available 30 days in advance. The ticketed reservation is valid for up to seven days at the West Glacier, Camas Rd and St. Mary entrances.

Ticketed entry will occur Summer 2021 only, as a way to mitigate the convergence of ● An anticipated spike in visitation ● Upcoming planned road construction ● The existing threat of Covid-19

Helpful Resources: ● Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Ticketed Entry I nformation Page ● Recreation.Gov Going-to-the-Sun Ticket R eservation Page (not yet live, check back April 29th when tickets become available, be sure to create an account in advance) ● Explore Whitefish Going-to-the-Sun Ticketed Entry F AQ Page

Planned Construction 2021: See graphic on page 4 for more details ● U.S. Hwy 2 (construction from Hungry Horse to Nyack): May - October, one lane traffic delays from Hungry Horse to West Glacier, longer delays expected West Glacier to Stanton Creek ● Camas Road ( road and entrance station construction): May - November, expect up to 30 minute delays from just past the West Glacier entrance, past the Apgar visitor center intersection, to approx. 5.25 miles northwest up Camas Road ● Inside (b ridge work) : August - November, note that this dirt road is not open to vehicles ● Going-to-the-Sun Road ( Lake McDonald Public Utility Project): October - March 2022, Road closed from Apgar to Lake McDonald Lodge beginning October 1, 2021 ● Big Bend & St. Mary Falls ( vault toilet installation): June 10 - Aug 25, expect minor traffic delays and limited parking at big bend; expect minor delays at St. Mary Falls ● Appistoki Creek Bridge ( area): Sept - Nov ● US Hwy 89 (construction over Hudson Bay Divide to St. Mary): expect traffic delays

Last Updated: 4/22/21

● Road (road closed for the season Sept 17): April to December, expect 40 min delays at the park entrance to ; Expect 40 minute delays at Baab to Park Boundary ● Lee Creek Bridge ( Chief Mountain Highway 17): Sept - Nov ● Glacier Park’s R oad Construction and Infrastructure Project Work for 2021 w ebpage has additional details to help visitors plan their trip

Last Updated: 4/22/21

Last Updated: 4/22/21

Last Updated: 4/22/21

General Public

Objectives of the Going-to-the-Sun-Road Reservation System: ● Allows people to plan ahead and be aware of delays that will exist due to anticipated increased visitation and construction projects in and around the park. ● Offers flexibility for both visitors and locals to access the park in the following ways: ○ While the window for acquiring tickets opens 60 days in advance for 3/4 of the available tickets, approximately 1/4 of tickets will be reserved and become available two days in advance. Visitors can plan two months ahead of time, or make a spur of the moment decision and apply for a ticket with 48 hours notice. ○ Non-reservation access to the Going-to-the-Sun road is permitted prior to 6am and after 5pm. It has been historically common for hikers and climbers wishing to summit peaks or travel on long treks to arrive at their trailhead prior to 6am to have ample daylight and find parking. ● Enhanced experience for those who visit Going-to-the-Sun road by improving traffic flow, reducing crowding and congestion, and improving visitors’ experiences and safety.

Reminders ● Tickets can be validated on any day during your 7 day reservation, getting it validated on the first day is preferred. ● Consider applying for multiple permits throughout the summer that will cover your desired road access windows. ● If you have a reservation for a campground, backcountry permit, red bus tour, special use permit (ex: a wedding), are a landowner, etc., you will not need a ticket. Tribal members will also not need tickets. ● Remember that you can still enter prior to 6am, and after 5pm. ● Just as we ask visitors to plan ahead by packing the right gear, researching your routes, and having a backup plan, we ask you to plan ahead by researching tickets for the Going-to-the-Sun road, securing ahead of time (or in the two day advance window), and planning a backup adventure if you don’t secure a ticket.

Business Owners

Lodging ● Communicate with and educate existing and prospective summer visitors ○ Reach out PROMPTLY with resources for existing summer reservations ○ Provide information on the reservation system proactively ○ Include all options (60 day window vs. two day window) and clear information on this program (see resources outlined above) ○ Walk guests through the system, provide resources and alternative options for their time in Glacier National Park that don’t include the Going-to-the-Sun Road Educate on alternative activities ● Offer Glacier National Park alternatives outside of the Going-to-the-Sun Road

Last Updated: 4/22/21

○ North Fork Area (Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake) ■ North Fork Road is not paved, and often highly congested in the summer months. ■ The Bowman Lake parking lot is limited and fills quickly, then resorting to a one car in one car out system. ■ Visitors should expect 30 minute delays on the Camas Road, which connects Glacier National Park to the North Fork Road ○ Many Glacier Area ■ Note Many Glacier Road will be under construction again this summer. There will be 30 minute delays. ■ Many Glacier opens on May 28th to the public. ○ Two Medicine Area ● Offer alternative recreation areas outside of Glacier National Park ○ Whitefish Mountain Resort ○ Flathead National Forest ○ Jewel Basin ○ Whitefish Trail

See Informational Graphics Below ● Construction Map ● Prescribed Burn Map

Last Updated: 4/22/21

Road Construction 2021

Last Updated: 4/22/21

Prescribed Burns 2021

Last Updated: 4/22/21