The last day visitors to Glacier National Park can drive Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass is Oct. 18, park officials announced Wednesday.
Vehicle traffic is currently restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground to allow for fall season rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and Oct. 18 is the final day motorists can access Logan Pass from the west side.
Vehicle access will be restricted on the west side at Avalanche Campground beginning Oct 19, but hikers and bikers can still venture into the park by self-powered means.
Visitors can call (406) 888-7800 (press 2) or visit http://go.nps.gov/roadstatus for current road status information.
According to a news release from park officials, the Oct. 18 closure date is contingent on weather conditions.
“As winter begins to arrive at higher elevations, working conditions can quickly become hazardous,” according to a statement. “The west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road closes each winter on a set date to allow road and building crews to safely accomplish essential work on the road and facilities without exposing them to unnecessary risks from ice and snow on the road. It takes two weeks to remove guardrails, install snow poles, remove road signs, and winterize the Logan Pass Visitor Center.”
Hikers and bikers currently have access to the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun-Road on weekends and evenings. Some trails are closed on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road due to the Reynolds Creek Fire. For more information on status of trails, please contact the park or visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.
The Apgar Visitor Center is now open on weekends only from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Apgar Backcountry Permit Office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 31.
Boat inspections for boats launching on the west side of the park will be conducted at the Apgar Backcountry Office, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through the end of October. Boat inspections for the east side of the park are by appointment only. Appointments are available by contacting the park at 406-888-780 (press 5).
Campgrounds throughout the park have either closed or changed to primitive status. Campgrounds in primitive status have pit toilets available, no potable or drinking water, a limited number of sites, and fees are reduced to $10 per night.
For additional park information, visit the park’s website http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800.