Timed entry passes for 2025

Question

Hi - I’m sadly not coming to Glacier this year but I’m trying to help a friend with her itinerary - she is a first timer.

They are staying at Many Glacier, Rising Sun Motor Inn, and Apgar - 3 nights each.

First leg - They’ll be driving up from Bozeman to Many Glacier, my understanding is they do not need a pass for the Many Glacier entrance because their hotel reservation will get them in?

Second leg - coming from Many to Rising Sun, they are good as long as they enter the GTTSR at st Mary and drive west to Rising Sun?

Third leg - they’ll drive from Rising Sun westbound on the GTTSR to Apgar, so won’t need a timed entry?

On one of their Apgar days, they will be leaving the park to do a whitewater rafting trip in West Glacier. Unless they come back in the west entrance before 3pm, they won’t need a timed entry to get back in, right? I was confused because she received an email saying lodging at Apgar does NOT allow you in without a timed entry pass. I thought any in-park lodging covered that?

Their trip is in early August, so I think she’ll need to get any necessary passes in early April - 120 days prior to the trip.

Thanks everyone!

Answer

It’s great that your friend is planning to visit Glacier National Park! The timed entry passes are in effect to help manage the large number of visitors during peak season (particularly in August). I'll clarify the points for each leg of their trip and the specifics regarding the passes for lodging and entry.

1. Many Glacier Entrance: You are correct that for the Many Glacier entrance, if your friend has a reservation at the Many Glacier Hotel or another in-park lodging, they will be exempt from needing a timed entry pass. Lodging reservations at in-park hotels, like Many Glacier, Rising Sun, and Apgar, generally allow access to the park without a timed entry pass. The hotel reservation should be enough to bypass the pass requirement at the entrance to Many Glacier.

2. Driving from Many Glacier to Rising Sun: Yes, for the drive from Many Glacier to Rising Sun, if they enter the Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTTSR) at St. Mary, they will not need a timed entry pass to get into the park. The timed entry passes are specifically required to enter the park at certain popular points, but as long as they enter through the St. Mary entrance, they are good to go. Just make sure they are aware of any restrictions on the specific times for driving through the GTTSR, as it can be a busy route during peak season.

3. Driving from Rising Sun to Apgar: When they drive from Rising Sun to Apgar, they will not need a timed entry pass either. The entry pass is not required for general movement within the park, so as long as they are not entering the park through a restricted entrance without a timed pass, they should be fine. The GTTSR will still allow access as long as they’re entering during the allowed times.

4. Apgar and Timed Entry: This is where things get a little more complicated. While lodging at Apgar typically does cover park access, there may still be instances where a timed entry pass is required, especially if they are coming in through the West Glacier entrance after 3pm. The timed entry passes are often needed for the busiest hours (8am to 4pm), and if they leave the park for a whitewater rafting trip and return to the West Glacier entrance after 3pm, they may not need a pass. However, it’s important to note that there have been some updates that certain lodging, such as at Apgar, may still require a pass to enter during peak hours, even if they are returning to the park after a day trip. If they received an email specifically stating that Apgar lodging does not guarantee entry without a timed pass, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and secure a timed entry pass if they intend to re-enter after 3pm.

In summary:

Lodging reservations at Many Glacier, Rising Sun, and Apgar should cover the park entry, so no timed entry is required for those entrances if they’re staying there.
For the drive from Many Glacier to Rising Sun, they are good to go as long as they enter the GTTSR at St. Mary.
For the drive from Rising Sun to Apgar, no timed entry is required, but it’s important to know that certain entry points, like the West Glacier entrance, may still require a timed entry pass if they return during busy hours (after 3pm).
If they plan to return to Apgar after a rafting trip or any other exit, it’s best to secure a timed entry pass if their return time falls within the restricted hours.

As for securing passes, you’re right that the timed entry passes can be obtained 120 days in advance, so your friend should plan to get those passes in early April to ensure availability, especially for a visit during peak season in early August.

By following these guidelines and planning ahead, your friend should be able to enjoy Glacier National Park with minimal stress about the timed entry process. Have a great trip to the park!

Timed entry passes for 2025

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