In the past few years, there has been a timed entry system to Glacier National Park. You had to get reservations for different areas of the park in the busy summer months. The system changed each year – applying to different sections of the park and with some differences in how it worked.
In 2026, it has changed yet again. In fact, there is no timed entry this year. However, there are still some reservations needed, depending on what you choose to do.
So, in this updated 2026 guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how Glacier National Park entry works.
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Table of Contents
Timed Entry
There is no timed entry into the park. Glacier National Park reservations aren’t required to get into the park in 2026.
This means that some parts of the park may get very congested at peak times. When areas become too congested, the NPS has said that vehicles may be diverted from park entrances.
However, if you have a service reservation (e.g., boat tours, lodging, horseback ride, guided hikes), camping reservations, or backcountry permits in these areas, you will still be permitted entry during temporary restrictions (although you may still experience delays so I’d allow extra time before your reservation so you don’t get there too late for your boat cruise or horse back ride).
The other main things you need to be aware of are changes to Logan Pass Parking and the Shuttle.
Logan Pass Parking
Logan Pass lies in the middle of the Going to The Sun Road. It’s a popular area. One of the parks three main Visitor Centers is there. It’s also the trailhead for several of the park’s most popular trails, including the Hidden Lake Overlook, Hidden Lake, and the Highline Trail.
Time Limit at Logan Pass
This is what’s new in 2026. There is now a 3-hour time limit on parking at Logan Pass.
What does this mean for you?
This means that if you want to go to the Visitor Center and hike to Hidden Lake Overlook, you’re fine. You can drive and park. You’ll have enough time.
However, if you want to hike the Highline Trail, you won’t have enough time. If you want to hike to Hidden Lake and spend some time there, you won’t have enough time. if you want to hike both trails, you won’t have enough time.
If you don’t have enough time within the 3-hour parking limit, what can you do?
You have one option – to take the free park shuttle.
Note that overnight parking will not be permitted at Logan Pass, except with a park permit issued to permitted backcountry users and guests of Granite Park Chalet.
Glacier National Park Shuttle
There are also major changes to the shuttle in 2026 – and this is where reservations come in.
Reservations
In 2026, you will need a reservation for the Going to the Sun Road shuttle.
Who needs a Glacier National Park shuttle ticket?
Everyone aged two and up will need a ticket to board Glacier National Park shuttle. Shuttles to Logan Pass will not pick up passengers who do not have shuttle tickets.
When do you need Glacier National Park shuttle tickets?
Tickets are available when the shuttle runs. The Going to The Sun Road shuttle is scheduled to start July 1, 2026. However, although the Going to the Sun Road is typically fully open by early July, some years late season snowstorms and avalanches affect this start date, which may impact the shuttle start dates.
How do you buy Glacier National Park shuttle tickets?
You can make reservations for on Recreation.gov or through the Recreation.gov Call Center (Reservation Line: 877-444-6777). All shuttle tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shuttle tickets are not available for purchase inside the park!
Shuttle tickets will be sold in two booking windows:
1) A portion of shuttle tickets will be available 60 days in advance, starting on May 2, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. MDT, on a rolling basis.
2) The remaining shuttle tickets will be available at 7:00 p.m. MDT for next-day entry starting June 30.
How much are Glacier National Park shuttle tickets?
Reservations cost $1 (a Recreation.gov processing fee) per ticket.
Shuttle tickets are non-transferable. When you board the shuttle, you will need to show your reservation AND a photo ID to verify that you are the purchaser.
Shuttle is Express
Similar to previous years, there are shuttles from the east and the west sides. They both end at Logan Pass, and you can then transfer from one to the other, if you want to continue along the entire length of the Going To The Sun Road.
However, in 2026, the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttles (on both east and west sides) will be express to Logan Pass.
West side routes will leave from Apgar Visitor Center and stop at Lake McDonald Lodge and stop at the Loop (in the afternoon) and Logan Pass only.
Shuttles to Logan Pass will not make stops at Avalanche. This means that Avalanche Lake and the Trail of the Cedars will not be accessible by the park shuttle. These are popular trails and without the shuttle, parking will be difficult to find there.
The Loop stop is the other end of the Highline Trail and the Trailhead for the Loop Trail.
East side routes will leave from St. Mary Visitor Center and stop at Rising Sun before going express to Logan Pass.
The shuttle will not stop at popular places like St Marys Falls, where parking is extremely limited, so expect parking there to be challenging, too.
Getting a reservation for Glacier National Park is a very important step in planning your trip if they’re required for when you’re going to be there – and I hope this guide helps.
However, as I’m sure you’re very aware, this is just one of many things that goes into planning and preparing for your trip.
In fact, the thing that people ask me about most is how to put everything together into an itinerary that actually makes sense. They get reservations for Glacier (or decide they’ll enter outside the reservation hours) but still worry about what there is to do (and when), how to minimize the crowds, and how to coordinate it all.
To help take away the overwhelm of planning a trip to Glacier National Park, I’ve created several super detailed itineraries.
Without them, people often feel stressed about planning their trip. With them, they have the confidence of getting all the info they need in one spot. Plus, there’s flexibility built in, so they can easily adapt them to their own interests and activity levels.
There are 1, 2, 3, and 4-5 – day options: all with detailed hour-by-hour schedules, including alternatives for different activity and fitness levels, plus trail maps and descriptions, driving instructions, important information, essential tips, and everything else you need to make the most of your time in Glacier National Park.
And if you follow the itineraries exactly, you won’t actually need reservations for Glacier!
Tips For Making Reservations for the Going to The Sun Road Shuttle
Read my post about which national parks require reservations for some insider tips on making reservations (and the low down on the other national parks that also require some form of reservations this summer).
Remember, you have 15 minutes from when you place the first item in your shopping cart to check out, so you can Continue Shopping and try to nab more reservations for all the sections of the park you’ll be visiting.
If you miss out, try again for the last-minute release.
Good luck and enjoy Glacier National Park!
Here is a simple summary of the steps to take to maximize your chances of getting a reservation for the national parks. You’re welcome to share this image on your site using this code and attribution:
Additional Planning Resources for Glacier National Park
⭐ Planning A Trip to Glacier National Park: 7 Mistakes to Avoid
⭐ 15 Tips For Visiting Glacier National Park
⭐ The Best Hikes in Glacier National Park
⭐ How to Get to Glacier National Park
⭐ When is The Best Time To Visit Glacier National Park?
⭐ Visiting Glacier National Park: What To Expect Throughout the Year
⭐ The Airports Near Glacier National Park
⭐ The Closest Airport To Glacier National Park
⭐ 10 Fun Facts About Glacier National Park
Do you have any other tips for getting tickets for Glacier National Park? I’d love to hear them. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know.
If you are thinking about traveling to some other national parks, don’t miss my guides to:
➡️ Which national parks require reservations
➡️ Angel’s Landing permits lottery system
➡️ Yosemite National Park day use reservations
➡️ Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry system
➡️ Acadia Cadillac Mountain reservation system
➡️ Arches National Park timed entry system
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💡 Are you just starting to think about taking a national parks trip? Get Inspiration
‼️ Are you looking for helpful tips for visiting US national parks? Read articles that share useful tips on a range of national-park related issues
💻 Are you starting to plan a trip to Glacier National Park? Read my Glacier National Park Guide
📋 Do you want a ready-made super detailed plan for your trip to Glacier? Get a detailed 1 – 5-day Glacier National Park Itinerary
💲 Are you ready to book your trip? Use these Planning and Booking Resources
📖 Do you want to read a book about US national parks? Check out my Recommended Reading Lists
