The east side of the Sun Road in Glacier National Park opened this morning. Yet, there are many restrictions that visitors need to be aware of.

It is open to vehicles from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. However, there may be delays and road closures are possible at anytime if conditions change.

“We believe the night closure is in the best interest of the firefighters working in the area and the visitor,” Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said.

Park officials advise drivers to drive cautiously and be aware of firefighting activities along the road due to the Reynolds Creek Fire.

Visitors can expect to see smoke that may reduce visibility and active fire may be visible from the road. Park officials advise visitors to watch for falling debris and fire-weakened trees. Almost 500 hazard trees were removed from along the road. The Park asks people to report any debris on the road to a ranger or the nearest visitor center.

Visitors cannot stop along the road or in pullouts between the St. Mary campground and Siyeh Bend. The Rising Sun area will have limited access to concession operations.

Bicycle travel is not allowed in the fire area, but cyclists may transport their bikes via the free park shuttle system. The park shuttle service will operate as normal, although there will be no shuttle stops in the fire area. The only shuttle stops on the east side at this time will be Rising Sun and Siyeh Bend.

The Glacier Boat Company will resume boat tour operations at Rising Sun. The Rising Sun Camp Store operated by Glacier National Park Lodges will reopen on Saturday, August 8, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m daily. The Rising Sun Motor Inn and the Two Dog Flats Grill will remain closed at this time.

The Rising Sun Campground is anticipated to be closed most of the season.

All trails within the fire perimeter are closed.

The Piegan Pass Trail from Siyeh Bend is open for hiking to the north, but not accessible to the south. The Siyeh Pass Trail is only open to Siyeh Pass, and is closed in the Baring Creek driange. The Gunsight Pass Trail remains closed from the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Gunsight Pass. Trails accessing St. Mary, Virginia, and Baring Creek Falls are closed. Additional trail status information is available online at http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/hikingthetrails.htm.

An alternate to the Going-to-the-Sun Road is U.S. Highway 2 along the southern boundary of the Park. One of the least-visited areas of Glacier, Marias Pass, is off this highway.