Glacier announces Going-to-the-Sun Road temporary ticketed entry system

Glacier National Park on Thursday announced it is implementing a Going-to-the-Sun Road temporary ticketed entry system for the 2021 season. Going-to-the-Sun entry reservation tickets are expected to be available at www.Recreation.gov starting April 29.

The system will require visitors to set up an account on www.Recreation.gov and obtain a vehicle entry reservation ticket, $2, to enter the 50-mile long Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor at the West Glacier and St. Mary entrances.

Entry reservation tickets will not be required for those with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity within the GTSR corridor.

Glacier National Park saw record numbers of visitors in the last few years. This season is predicted to be one of the busiest on record.

“We have the making of a perfect storm this season,” said Park Superintendent Jeff Mow. “Not only do we have ongoing COVID-19 mitigations and reduced staffing, but we are also facing construction delays inside and around the park.”

In 2020, park officials implemented temporary closures 29 times in 25 days at the park’s West Entrance which at times resulted in backups along Highway 2. The ticketed entry system offers visitors increased certainty that they will be able to enter the park while reducing or eliminating the need for closures at the park’s west entrance.

“The goal is to maximize access while avoiding congestion that results in temporary closures of park entrance gates,” Mow said.

About two-thirds of the entry reservation tickets will be released for 60 days advance purchase on a rolling window, and the remaining entry reservation tickets will be released for 48 hours advance purchase, also on a rolling window.