Despite an even broader reservation system in 2023, visitation to Glacier National Park is up slightly over last year through August, according to the National Park Service.

Glacier added a reservation requirement from July 1 through the second weekend in September for Two Medicine and Many Glacier this year.

Even so, overall visitation through August was 2.249 million, which is an increase of 1.7% over last year’s 2.212 million through August. For the month of August, though, visitation was down 3.1% compared to last year. 

Two Medicine was down just 2.5% over last August and Many Glacier was down 16.7%. Polebridge dove down 27.6% as road construction on Glacier Drive likely contributed to fewer visitors. The Polebridge entrance also requires a reservation. One of the most popular reservations in Glacier during the summer months, they often get snapped up quickly.

For the year, Two Medicine is down 18% overall and Many Glacier is down 13%. Polebridge is down 16.1% for the year.

Visitation appeared to have shifted on the east side to St. Mary, which was up 6.4%, or just over 9,000 more visitors in August compared to last year. Visitors didn’t need a reservation to enter St. Mary and drive to Rising Sun. 

Also, visitors found out that they could get to Logan Pass quicker after 3 p.m. by waiting at the east side, as it’s only 12 miles, whereas it’s about 33 miles from the west entrance. Still, the west entrance is up 4.4% for the year through August, at 1.02 million.