Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is expected to fully open to cars on Monday.

The eastern portion of the road between the St. Mary Entrance and Logan Pass will open to vehicles on Saturday, June 14. The western side between Avalanche and Logan Pass will open on Monday, June 16. 

The opening date is among the earliest in the park’s recent history. In 2023, the road opened on June 13.  

Plowing Going-to-the-Sun Road can be perilous; work crews often navigate rockslides and avalanches as they move up the narrow mountain road. But workers reported few hazards this year, and plows were able to reach Logan Pass by May 23. 

Despite the plowing efforts and unseasonably warm spring temperatures, some alpine areas remain buried in snow. Officials advised that early visitors to Logan Pass “should use extreme caution and refrain from crossing snowfields or standing under snow overhangs.  

A handful of trails, including the hallmark Highline Trail, are expected to remain closed until the snow fully melts. 

The road’s opening comes just a few days after the start of the park’s timed entry vehicle reservation system. Starting Friday, June 13, all vehicles entering the park through the Apgar or North Fork check stations between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. are required to present a timed entry reservation. 

All vehicle reservations must be booked ahead of time via recreation.gov. Advance reservations are available for booking up to 120 days in advance, but a second booking window for next-day entry will be available each day, starting at 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. 

Visitors without a reservation may still enter the park before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Reservations are not required for vehicles entering through St. Mary or Two Medicine. 

Starting on June 16, bicyclists are prohibited on Going-to-the-Sun Road between Apgar and Logan Pass. Visitors may continue to cycle the eastern portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road but are advised to use extra caution as roads become more congested. 

Daily shuttle service along Going-to-the-Sun Road is anticipated to begin July 1. A shuttle for hikers in the Many Glacier area is also expected to begin operations on July 1 while the Swiftcurrent remains under construction. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley may be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected].