Glacier Park moves to winter phase

Dec. 21 may be well more than a month away, but Glacier National Park officials are already making the move to winter operations.

Although the park is accessible to the public year-round, fall and winter are seasons with low visitation, limited access, and reduced services. This time of year demands increased planning and preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.

The boating season is coming to a close in Glacier National Park.

All remaining open waters, including Lake McDonald, Bowman Lake, and Kintla Lake, will close to boating Friday, Nov. 1. Similar to 2019, west side waters will reopen to boating in May 2020 and east side waters will reopen in early June 2020. Precise dates will be released in early spring.

Most campgrounds have closed for the season.

The Apgar Campground, located in the Apgar Picnic Area during the winter, and St. Mary Campground remain open year-round in primitive or winter status, which means that no running water is available.

Potable water is unavailable on the east side of the park during the winter. For more information about Glacier’s campgrounds, visit the park’s campground status webpage.

Visitors are reminded that hiker-biker access is permitted on most closed roads at this time of year. Related risks include falling ice or rocks, road debris, and ice-covered or snowy road conditions.

Current road conditions, including closures, are posted on the park’s road status webpage. Current trail status information can be found on the park’s trail status webpage.

Most visitor centers and ranger stations have closed for the season.

Park Headquarters is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Apgar Visitor Center is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Restrooms, potable water stations, and updated information are available in the Apgar Visitor Center plaza seven days a week.