Glacier National Park’s free shuttles will begin traveling Going-to-the-Sun Road this weekend.
The shuttles will provide daily service along the Sun Road starting Friday, July 1 and continuing through Monday, Sept. 5.
Limited shuttle service to Logan Pass from Apgar Visitor Center will operate through Sept. 18 this year in response to public interest in having shuttle service through September, according to Jim Foster, Glacier National Park’s chief of facilities management.
“The public has been asking the park to extend the shuttle service into September for a number of years,” said Foster. “This year we are pleased to accommodate that request on the west side of the park and see how many visitors take advantage of the bus during the shoulder season.”
The shuttle service is free, wheelchair accessible, and first-come, first-served. Bicycle racks are available on some of the buses. Expect limited seating at most locations during periods of heavy demand. Smoking, pets, and open containers of alcohol are prohibited while riding the buses. Bear spray must be safely secured to prevent accidental discharge on the buses.
WEST-SIDE SERVICE
The first shuttle bus, called the Express Shuttle, leaves daily from Apgar Visitor Center at 7 a.m. and travels straight to Logan Pass. Following this first bus, additional express shuttles leave Apgar at 7:05 a.m., 7:18 a.m., 7:23 a.m., and 7:36 a.m. for a non-stop trip to Logan Pass.
After reaching Logan Pass, the 7 a.m. and 7:18 a.m. express shuttles continue to St. Mary Visitor Center. The other express shuttles return westbound to Avalanche Creek from Logan Pass to begin regular service between those two destinations.
At 7:56 a.m. and 8:17 a.m., an express shuttle leaves Apgar Visitor Center and stops only at Avalanche Creek, The Loop and Logan Pass.
Regular shuttle bus service begins each day at 9 a.m. with buses departing every 15 to 30 minutes from every stop, with a transfer required at Avalanche Creek. The last bus of the day leaves Logan Pass at 7 p.m. for the Apgar Visitor Center.
The west-side shuttle service will continue operating through Sept. 18.
EAST-SIDE SERVICE
The St. Mary Visitor Center is the hub for shuttle services on the east-side of the park. East-side buses begin service at 7 a.m. from the visitor center and depart every 40 to 60 minutes. The last bus of the day leaves Logan Pass for the St. Mary Visitor Center at 7 p.m. The east-side service will continue operating through Sept. 5.
For more information on the shuttle system, visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm.