Glacier and Rocky Mountain Entrance Permits Required
In an effort to manage crowds during the peak travel season, the National Park Service is again requiring Glacier and Rocky Mountain entrance permits in 2024. These national park permits must be purchased in advance, and they are required even if you have a national parks pass. Although both parks have their own permit rules and regulations, visitors can purchase Glacier and Rocky Mountain entrance permits at www.recreation.gov. Here’s what you need to know to know if you are traveling to these popular national parks.
Rocky Mountain Entrance Permits
Visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park are required to have a timed entry permit to enter the park beginning May 24, 2024. There are two Rocky Mountain Entry Permits available at www.recreation.gov.
The Bear Lake permit will allow entry to the Bear Lake Corridor, as well as the rest of the park. It will be valid from 5 AM to 6 PM. It is required until October 20, 2024.
The other permit will allow access to all areas of the park, except the Bear Lake Corridor. It will be valid from 9 AM to 2 PM. It is required until October 15, 2024. All permits will be timed, and will require the permit holder to enter the park within a 2 hour time frame.
Reservations for the majority of the permits will be released on 8 AM Mountain Time on the following dates.
- May 1, 2024 for permits from May 24 to June 30
- June 1, 2024 for permits for the month of July
- July 1, 2024 for permits for the month of August
- August 1, 2024 for permits for the month of September
- September 1, 2024 for permits for the month of October
The remaining entry permits will be available for purchase at 7 p.m. the day before the planned visit. These are expected to go quickly, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Rocky Mountain Entry Permits are valid for one day, and they will not be sold in the park. If you plan to visit the park more than one day you will need an entry permit for each day. Visitors who have a campground reservation or horseback riding reservation do not need an entry permit. There’s no charge for the permit, but there is a $2 processing fee. And remember, even if you have a national park access pass, you still need an entrance permit.
For more information about Rocky Mountain Entrance Permits visit www.recreation.gov or https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm.
Glacier Entrance Permits
In an effort to reduce congestion, improve the visitor experience and protect park resources Glacier National will continuer their entrance system program in 202. Aa vehicle reservation is required for visitors traveling over the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and past the Many Glacier Entrance Station during the peak summer season.
Glacier Vehicle Entrance System Details
The Glacier Vehicle Entrance System requires park visitors to make a vehicle entrance reservation for visits between 6 AM and 3 PM on the following 2024 dates.
- West Entrance and Camas Entrance – May 24 to September 8
- Many Glacier Valley – July 1 to September 8
Entrance reservations are not required for visitors who have in-park lodging, camping or tour reservations. This includes private lodging within the park, and all boat and bus tours. Lodging or tour reservations must be shown at the park entrance. It’s important to note that the lodging or tour reservation must be made for the specific area of the park you plan to visit. For example if you have a Lake McDonald boat tour reservation, you will be able to access Going-to-the-Sun Road, but not Many Glacier Valley. Pedestrians and cyclists are not required to have entrance reservations.
A separate park entrance fee of $35 will be charged at the park entrance. Visitors with a national park pass will not be charged this entrance fee; however they must have an appropriate entrance reservation.
Vehicle entrance reservations for Going -to-the-Sun Road will be available at www.recreation.gov, on the recreation.gov app or by calling (877) 444-6777. They will not be available at the park, and visitors who do not have an entrance reservation or lodging or tour reservation will be turned away. It’s best to print or save a screenshot of your reservation, as cell phone service is spotty throughout the park.
A portion of the entrance reservations for the West Entrance, Camas Entrance and Many Glacier Valley will be available 120 days in advance beginning January 25, 2024 at 8 AM Mountain Time.
The remaining vehicle entrance reservations will be released at 7 PM, the day before the planned visit.
For more information about the new Glacier vehicle entrance system, visit https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm or www.recreation.gov.
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