Going-to-the-Sun Road
Owners set their own dates and prices in Montana. If nothing on the state page fits your week, leave the dates and we email you when something does.
Measure your rig before you reserve anything. Measure with the side mirrors extended, the AC shroud installed, the antenna folded, and the bike rack mounted. Then measure again. The middle 32 miles of Going-to-the-Sun Road — between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun — turn away every vehicle or vehicle combination longer than 21 feet (bumper to bumper) or wider than 8 feet (mirror to mirror), and the rangers at the Avalanche checkpoint carry tape measures (Glacier NPS, Vehicle Size Restrictions, 2026). Anything taller than 10 feet risks the rock overhangs west of Logan Pass between the Loop and the alpine. A 22-foot Class C with a roof box does not "probably fit." It gets turned around in front of a line of cars. Drive the lower west side from Apgar to Avalanche in your rig, park, and ride the new ticketed Logan Pass shuttle for the alpine section — that is the only legal way a full-size motorhome crosses the Continental Divide here. Vehicle reservations are NOT required in 2026; the entrance pass and a shuttle ticket are (NPS, Vehicle Reservations 2026).
Best window
Mid-July to mid-September (full road typically open early July through third Monday of October, per NPS)
Avoid window
November through mid-June — the alpine section over Logan Pass is closed for snow; plowing usually starts in April but Logan Pass rarely opens before late June
What official guides do not tell you
21 feet long, 8 feet wide, 10 feet tall — the hard ceiling
Vehicles and vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet (including bumpers) or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicles taller than 10 feet may not clear the rock overhangs west of Logan Pass between the Loop and the alpine. Tow dollies, cargo trays, and bike racks count toward total length. Enforcement is active at the Avalanche checkpoint during peak season.
NPS Glacier — Going-to-the-Sun Road General Info(opens in new tab)No vehicle reservations in 2026 — but Logan Pass parking is capped at 3 hours
The National Park Service suspended the Going-to-the-Sun Road timed-entry vehicle reservation system for the 2026 season; no timed ticket is needed to drive the road. Starting July 1, 2026, weather permitting, parking at the Logan Pass lot is limited to three hours to push longer-stay alpine hikers toward the new ticketed shuttle. An entrance pass is still required at every gate.
NPS Glacier — Vehicle Reservations in 2026(opens in new tab)Entrance fees 2026: $35 vehicle, $30 motorcycle, $100 non-resident surcharge
The summer (May 1 to October 31) private-vehicle entrance fee is $35, motorcycle $30, individual on foot or bike $20, valid for 7 consecutive days. The Glacier annual pass is $70; the America the Beautiful interagency pass is $80 for US residents. As of January 1, 2026, non-US-resident visitors age 16 and older pay an additional $100 surcharge unless they hold a qualifying annual pass. The park does not accept cash at gates.
NPS Glacier — Fees and Passes(opens in new tab)Logan Pass shuttle tickets: 60-day rolling release starting May 2, 2026
Glacier moved from a free first-come shuttle to a ticketed-only shuttle to Logan Pass for the 2026 season. A portion of tickets releases 60 days in advance on a rolling basis beginning May 2, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. MDT through recreation.gov or 877-444-6777, first-come first-served. Shuttles operate July through September, weather permitting. This is the only practical way to cross the alpine section in any vehicle over 21 feet long.
NPS Glacier news release — Timed Entry rollout(opens in new tab)No fixed opening date — Logan Pass opens when plows finish
There is no set calendar date for the alpine section over Logan Pass to open. Plowing begins in early April and typically finishes between late June and early July depending on snowpack; the road has been fully open by early July in most recent seasons and stays fully open until the third Monday of October before phased closures begin. Lower-elevation segments from Apgar to Avalanche Creek (west) and St. Mary to Rising Sun (east) open earlier and close later.
NPS Glacier — Going-to-the-Sun Road(opens in new tab)Booking windows
Glacier National Park entrance pass (required, 2026)
- Opens
- Any time — buy online at recreation.gov before arrival to skip kiosk lines
- Cap / notes
- $35 private vehicle, valid 7 days; non-US visitors age 16+ add $100 surcharge as of Jan 1, 2026
Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation
- Opens
- Not required in 2026 — NPS suspended the timed-entry system park-wide
- Cap / notes
- $0 — Logan Pass parking limited to 3 hours starting July 1, 2026, weather permitting
Logan Pass shuttle ticket (new for 2026)
- Opens
- Rolling release 60 days in advance starting May 2, 2026 at 8 a.m. MDT via recreation.gov or 877-444-6777
- Cap / notes
- Ticketed-only system; first-come first-served; required for RVs over 21 ft using the middle section
Apgar, Fish Creek, St. Mary, Many Glacier, Two Medicine campgrounds
- Opens
- Six months ahead on recreation.gov, rolling daily at 10 a.m. ET
- Cap / notes
- Most sites $23-$33/night; max RV length varies by loop (some loops cap at 26 ft, some at 40 ft)
Sperry Chalet and Granite Park Chalet backcountry meals
- Opens
- January 4, 2026 for the summer season
- Cap / notes
- Reservation-only; arrive on foot — neither chalet is drivable
| Item | Window opens | Cap / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glacier National Park entrance pass (required, 2026) | Any time — buy online at recreation.gov before arrival to skip kiosk lines | $35 private vehicle, valid 7 days; non-US visitors age 16+ add $100 surcharge as of Jan 1, 2026 |
| Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation | Not required in 2026 — NPS suspended the timed-entry system park-wide | $0 — Logan Pass parking limited to 3 hours starting July 1, 2026, weather permitting |
| Logan Pass shuttle ticket (new for 2026) | Rolling release 60 days in advance starting May 2, 2026 at 8 a.m. MDT via recreation.gov or 877-444-6777 | Ticketed-only system; first-come first-served; required for RVs over 21 ft using the middle section |
| Apgar, Fish Creek, St. Mary, Many Glacier, Two Medicine campgrounds | Six months ahead on recreation.gov, rolling daily at 10 a.m. ET | Most sites $23-$33/night; max RV length varies by loop (some loops cap at 26 ft, some at 40 ft) |
| Sperry Chalet and Granite Park Chalet backcountry meals | January 4, 2026 for the summer season | Reservation-only; arrive on foot — neither chalet is drivable |
On the road in Montana
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Kalispell to West Glacier
35 miles
45 min
Kalispell -> West Glacier
Camp: Fish Creek Campground
Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass
55 miles
2 hours (with stops)
West Glacier -> St. Mary
Camp: St. Mary Campground
East Glacier & Two Medicine
70 miles
1.5 hours
St. Mary -> East Glacier
Camp: Two Medicine Campground
Return via Highway 2
50 miles
1.5 hours
East Glacier -> Kalispell
Camp: Departure
3-4 days of driving needs a rig
Montana owners list their own rigs with their own dates — see what is posted, or leave your dates and let the alert find you.
Primary sources
- NPS Glacier — Going-to-the-Sun Road official page(opens in new tab)
- NPS Glacier — Vehicle Reservations in 2026(opens in new tab)
- NPS Glacier — Going-to-the-Sun Road General Info (size limits, segments, opening pattern)(opens in new tab)
- NPS Glacier — Fees and Passes (2026 entrance amounts and $100 non-resident surcharge)(opens in new tab)
- NPS Glacier news release — Timed Entry and shuttle ticket rollout(opens in new tab)
- Recreation.gov — Glacier National Park timed-entry portal (status reference)(opens in new tab)
- Montana DOT — MDT Travel Info Map for US-2 and MT-49 conditions around the park perimeter(opens in new tab)
Last reviewed 2026-06-04
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Montana scenery
Trip Budget Estimate
Fuel
$120
Campgrounds
$140
Food
$300
Activities
$100
Estimated Total (excluding RV rental)
$660
Fuel basis: Round trip from Kalispell MT to St. Mary MT and back via the full 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, ~210 miles total, Class C motorhome averaging 9 mpg, US average diesel $3.85/gal as of late May 2026 per EIA
Best Time to Drive
Late June through mid-September. The road typically opens fully in late June and closes in mid-October depending on snowfall.
RV Size Recommendations
Class B campervans and small Class C up to 21ft can drive the full road. Larger RVs should basecamp at Fish Creek or Apgar Village and use the free shuttle to cross Logan Pass.
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