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Alpine Sections Of Going-To-The-Sun Road At Glacier Closed For Season

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By NPT Staff - October 15th, 2020
Winter has descended on the upper stretches of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, as this shot from the Logan Pass webcam shows/NPS

Winter has descended on the upper stretches of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, as this shot from the Logan Pass webcam, taken Thursday morning, shows/NPS

If you guessed that the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park in Montana would remain open until November 1, well, you were wrong.

Due to continued winter weather, the alpine sections of the Sun Road officially closed for the season on Wednesday. Currently, visitors can drive 15.5 miles of the road from the park's West Entrance at West Glacier to Avalanche Creek. All roads on the east side of the park remain closed due to COVID-19 operating requirements.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road typically closes between Avalanche Creek and Jackson Glacier Overlook on or before the third Monday in October, depending on road and weather conditions. 

A temporary road closure was first implemented the evening of Friday, October 9, due to inclement weather forecasted. Since that time, several inches of snow have accumulated at Logan Pass. The National Weather Service forecasts additional snowfall and wind gusts up to 50 mph for elevations above 5,000 feet. Logan Pass sits at an elevation of 6,646 feet. As a result, the Going-to-the-Sun Road closure at Avalanche Creek will continue for the remainder of the season, the park announced Wednesday.

Visitors are reminded that hiker and biker access is permitted on most closed roads in the park; however, risks include falling ice or rocks, and ice-covered or snowy road conditions. Hiker/biker access does not extend to roads on the east side of the park this year due to COVID-19 closures. Visit the park’s Current Road Status webpage for real-time updates on road closures and hiker/biker access restrictions.

Most visitor amenities in the park have closed for the season. One section of Apgar Campground (Loop B) is open for primitive camping on a first come, first served basis. The Apgar Backcountry Permit Office and Aquatic Invasive Species Boat Inspection Station close October 31. No boating in the park is permitted after October 31.

Free winter backcountry camping permits are available November 1 – April 30 and can be reserved three to seven days in advance by email or phone (406-888-7800, option 5). The Apgar Visitor Center is closed, but restrooms and potable water remain available at this location year-round.

Learn more about winter operations at Glacier National Park on the park's Visiting in Winter webpage. For additional visitor inquiries, contact park headquarters at 406-888-7800. 

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