Glacier National Park on Wednesday began accepting applications for backcountry-camping permits for the 2017 season.

The first-come, first-served online system allows camping groups to make advance reservations at up to half of the campsites within a backcountry campground in the park, for trips that start between June 15 and Sept. 30.

Due to the high-elevation snow that often persists well into the summer months in Glacier, some campgrounds may not be listed as available until later in the season.

The March 15 opening date applies to groups planning trips with one to eight campers. The park began accepting reservation applications for larger groups of up to a dozen campers March 1.

For more information and directions to reserve campsites, visit https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/backcountry-reservations.htm.