How to get a car permit in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park Vehicle Reservations

Driving into Glacier National Park is not as easy as just hopping in your car and going for a cruise.

Due to high volumes of traffic the last few years, the vehicle reservation system in Glacier National Park is back this year. The Glacier Park vehicle reservation system, which started in 2021, is designed to alleviate congestion in Glacier National Park, especially along the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor. 

In 2023, a vehicle reservation is required for four areas of the park:

1. Going-to-the-Sun Road (May 26 - Sept 10)

2. North Fork (May 26 - Sept 10)

3. Many Glacier (July 1 - Sept 10)

4. Two Medicine (July 1 - Sept 10)

Each location has unique details and requires a separate reservation.

The map below highlights the areas where the vehicle reservation system is in effect as well as details on each location.

When and How To Book:

Vehicle Reservations are available to purchase two ways:

1. A portion of reservations will be available on Recreation.govapproximately 120-days in advance, using a block-release system.

• Feb 1 for May & June Reservations (sold out)

• Mar. 1 for July Reservations

• Apr. 1 for August Reservations

• May 1 for September Reservations

2. The remaining vehicle reservations will be released on Recreation.gov on a rolling basis at 8 am, 24-hours in advance (e.g., remaining vehicle reservations for July 1 are available on June 30).

All reservations will be available on Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov app, or the Recreation.gov Call Center (877-444-6777). They are not available for purchase at the park.

(Montana Living photo by David Reese)

Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR): 3 Day Reservation

• West Side: One vehicle reservation per vehicle will be required to enter through the West Entrance Station and the Camas Entrance Station from 6 am to 3 pm from May 26 through September 10, 2023.

• East Side: One vehicle reservation per vehicle will be required to travel beyond the Rising Sun check point from the St. Mary (East) Entrance Station from 6 am to 3 pm from July 1 through September 10, 2023. 

• GTSR Vehicle Reservations are valid for three (3) consecutive days.

• Visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity reservations within the GTSR corridor can use their service reservation receipt for entry in lieu of the $2 vehicle reservation from Recreation.gov. This included reservation only applies to the date of your service reservation.

North Fork Area: 1 Day Reservation

• The North Fork Vehicle Reservation Area is in the northwest corner of the park and includes all points east of the Polebridge Entrance Station.

• Reservations are required for each vehicle accessing the North Fork area from May 26 through September 10, 2023, from 6 am to 3 pm.

• North Fork vehicle reservations will be valid for one day.

• The North Fork area does not offer lodging, transportation, or commercial services, and camping is first-come, first-served. Campsites will be assigned at the Polebridge Entrance Station. 

Many Glacier and Two Medicine: 1 Day Reservation (Each Valley)

• A separate vehicle reservation is required for each valley. The Many Glacier Reservation Area includes all points beyond the Many Glacier Entrance Station. The Two Medicine Reservation Area includes all points beyond the Two Medicine Entrance Station.

•   Required for each vehicle accessing the Many Glacier Valley from July 1 through September 10, 2023, from 6 am to 3 pm.

•   Required for each vehicle accessing the Two Medicine Valley from July 1 through September 10, 2023, from 6 am to 3 pm.

• Visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity reservations in the Many Glacier Valley or Two Medicine Valley can use their service reservation receipt for entry in lieu of the $2 vehicle reservation from Recreation.gov. This included reservation only applies to the date and area of your service reservation.