Glacier National Park is offering an increasing number of services and open facilities, but park officials are reminding visitors that some places are making a slower transition from winter to summer.
Two campgrounds on the east side of the park will have a delayed opening due to snow conditions. The Many Glacier Campground and Two Medicine Campground are anticipated to open Friday, May 30, rather than this week, according to the park. Snow levels on the east side of the park are generally more than normal, and cooler temperatures have slowed the spring melting process.
There is still much snow and ice on many lakes, including Two Medicine Lake, located inside the park boundary, according to park officials.
Hiking and access opportunities are limited across the park due to snow conditions. Visitors should be prepared to encounter snow, fast-moving water and changing weather conditions. With some increased snow load, some areas in the park are prone to avalanches and slides, so caution should be used as traveling and recreating in these areas.
The St. Mary Campground and Bowman Lake Campground will transition to non-primitive status by Friday, May 23, as scheduled. Apgar and Sprague Creek Campgrounds are open.
Hikers and bikers can enjoy unrestricted access on the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road this weekend. On May 23, hikers and bikers can travel as far as The Loop and there will be no restrictions for hikers and bikers on the west side from Saturday through Monday, May 24-26.
Visitors can drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the West Entrance to Avalanche, and for about one mile from the St. Mary Entrance to the foot of St. Mary Lake on the east side. The Camas Road, Many Glacier Road, Chief Mountain Road, and Two Medicine Road are currently open to vehicle travel. The Inside North Fork Road is partially open. From the Polebridge Ranger Station, visitors can drive northeast to Bowman Lake or south to Logging Creek. All other areas of the Inside North Fork Road remain closed at this time. The Cut Bank Road is currently closed at the park boundary.
Snow plowing activities on the Going-to-the-Sun Road continue with the west-side road crew working near Big Bend, about three miles from Logan Pass. The east-side crew is working their way past Jackson Glacier Overlook.
Several park concessioners and privately-owned facilities will begin to offer visitor amenities this weekend. Glacier National Park Lodges, the park’s newest concessioner, will begin operations of Lake McDonald Lodge and Camp Store May 24. Lake McDonald Lodge, Granite Park Chalet, and Sperry Chalet celebrate their centennial anniversaries this year.
Bears are currently active within the park and visitors are reminded to travel in groups and make loud noises when recreating to avoid surprise encounters. For your safety, do not approach or attempt to feed any wildlife in the park.
Glacier Park’s shuttle system is scheduled to operate July 1 through Sept. 7. The system provides two-way shuttle service along Going-to-the-Sun Road between the Apgar Visitor Center and St. Mary Visitor Center.