Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed. What that does to a Glacier trip

When you’re setting a Glacier drive around the Sun Road, “closed” can mean the high alpine stretch has shut while roads and destinations on either side remain reachable. A closure of Going-to-the-Sun Road’s alpine middle changes how you cross the park, not whether you can visit Glacier. Check the road status on the morning you drive, then plan around the entrance you’re using.

01The short answer: partly, and it depends on the day

The whole road does not close at once. When people say the Sun Road is closed, they usually mean its alpine middle, roughly from Avalanche Creek to Jackson Glacier Overlook. Heavy rain temporarily closed that stretch Sept. 6–9, and snow at Logan Pass prompted another temporary closure on Sept. 14. The park announced the rain-related closures and later shared an update on reopening the alpine sections.

The road typically stays fully open until the third Monday in October, Oct. 19 this year, unless weather shuts the pass sooner. The lower road near the West Entrance remains open year-round, so you can still reach destinations on the west side even after the alpine stretch closes.

Before you leave, check the park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road status page or text GNPROADS to 333111 that morning. Conditions can change after rain or snow, so a status check helps you choose your route for that day.

02How the road's season works

Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses 50 miles between the west and east sides of the park, taking about two hours without stops. Logan Pass sits at 6,646 feet, 32 miles from the west entrance and 18 miles from the east; the road fully opened for the 2026 season on June 22, as the park announced in its season-opening update.

The third Monday in October has been the seasonal closing rule since 1992, though weather and other events can bring an earlier closure. In 2017, the road closed Sept. 3 because of the Sprague Fire; it closed Oct. 9 in 2020 and Oct. 16 in 2022. Last year, snow closed Logan Pass on Oct. 4, and the road closed for the season on Oct. 11.

When the alpine section closes for winter, the west-side gate moves to Avalanche Creek or Lake McDonald Lodge. The stretch from West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge is usually plowed through winter. For current access and route details, use the park’s directions page.

03What you can still reach in October

You can still reach several west- and east-side destinations after the alpine middle closes, though services and road access vary by location.

On the west side, Apgar, Lake McDonald, and the road toward Avalanche remain options. Apgar Campground operates in primitive mode with Loop B only and no water. The Apgar Visitor Center restrooms stay open year-round, and the wilderness permit office runs through October.

On the east side, St. Mary Campground is primitive, with reservations still required. The Many Glacier road usually stays open until the third weekend of November, and its campground remains in primitive operation until Oct. 20.

Two Medicine is off the itinerary because it is closed for construction. The Inside North Fork Road past Polebridge Ranger Station has been closed since Oct. 4, while Bowman and Kintla lakes remain open. Even with the pass open, the Logan Pass Visitor Center has closed for the season, and water there is off.

04Getting across when the middle is shut

When the alpine middle is closed, you can drive around the park on US 2 and US 89. The route from West Glacier to St. Mary is about 90 miles and takes roughly two hours, compared with 50 miles over the pass.

There is no gas in the park, so plan fuel stops before you enter. The 21-foot length and 8-foot width limits for large vehicles between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun apply whether the pass is open or closed.

05Reservations, parking and fees this year

In 2026, you did not need a vehicle reservation anywhere in Glacier. The seasonal Logan Pass rules have ended: from July 1 through Sept. 7, parking had a three-hour limit, and the express shuttle required a $1 ticket.

Since Sept. 7, Logan Pass parking has been first-come, with no time limit while the alpine road remains open. The lot has 235 spaces, and the park issues 1,200–1,300 permits per day.

Entrance costs $35 per vehicle for seven days. The fee drops to the $25 winter rate on Nov. 1.

06Planning a 2027 trip

For a 2027 visit, expect plowing to start in early April across about 40 avalanche paths, with the pass usually opening between mid-June and early July. The park does not predict an opening date, so build flexibility into your plans.

The park has not announced whether 2027 will bring back vehicle reservations, the ticketed shuttle, or Logan Pass parking limits. Check for updates before finalizing dates that depend on driving over the pass.

Construction also affects next year’s plans. St. Mary Campground is listed as closed Jan. 1 through June 30, 2027; utility work at Lake McDonald Lodge and Many Glacier could start in 2027; and Two Medicine Road work is scheduled to run through late 2027.

Sources (5)

• nps.gov
• nps.gov
• nps.gov
• nps.gov
• nps.gov