Going-to-the-Sun Road open to cars: what changed for drivers

Two snowplow crews are opening Going-to-the-Sun Road from opposite ends, working toward each other.

On June 22, 2026, the road opened for through travel along its full 50 miles (80 km), from West Glacier to St. Mary (park press release). Logan Pass is accessible from both sides.

The 2026 season runs under new rules (2026 reservation rules). Below we have gathered what you need to know before heading out: vehicle size limits, road conditions, and alerts.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links. We earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

2026 Season: what changed

💡 In short:

• Through travel opened on June 22, 2026, 50 miles between West Glacier and St. Mary.

• No vehicle entry reservation is required in 2026.

• Parking at Logan Pass is limited to three hours, and the shuttle requires tickets.

• Road conditions and travel rules: 09/2026, verified on the official park website.

Entry reservations were in place at Glacier National Park for five consecutive years and were removed in 2026 (park reservation system). In their place, the park introduced new rules: parking at Logan Pass is limited to three hours, and the shuttle requires a ticket. Full through travel opens once crews clear the snow at the pass. The road usually remains open until the third week of October (road page). Keep your Park Pass handy at the entrance station, and you will not hold up the line.

Big Drift: the last snowbank on the route

Crews spend the most time on Big Drift, a stretch of about one mile east of Logan Pass. In winter, wind piles up a drift here up to 24 m high, and in spring snowplows from the east and west work toward each other (clearing report). Once they break through the drift, they reconnect the road across the Continental Divide.

The pace is set by weather, not by a schedule. This season, rockfall, avalanches, and wind-thrown trees slowed progress. An avalanche at Big Bend buried a restroom pavilion built into the slope, and one of the barrier posts was ripped out and carried downhill. Another roughly 135 feet (41 m) of stone wall was knocked down along The Slopes section, where temporary concrete barriers were installed (work data).

Mild winter and an early start

Clearing began on April 1 (clearing timeline). The mild winter of 2025-26 helped the crews: snowfall in the valleys was below normal. Higher up the slope the picture is different, so work near the pass still runs into multi-meter drifts. On average the road opens on June 11, but in recent decades the date has been shifting toward the end of the month (park data on opening dates). Through travel has not opened in May for more than twenty years. In 2026, cars crossed the pass within the usual timeframe for recent years.

Vehicle restrictions

Dimensions on this road are checked strictly. Between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun you cannot drive a vehicle longer than 21 feet (6.4 m) or wider than 8 feet (2.4 m) (size restrictions). If your vehicle is taller than 10 feet (3 m), it may hit overhanging rocks west of Logan Pass, on the section up to The Loop. Leave RVs and trailers at Packers Roost on the west side and at Siyeh Bend on the east side.

When the road opened in June, snow still lay at the pass and the Highline Trail was closed. Park only in marked spaces: parking on the shoulder outside marked areas tramples vegetation. Do not stop on the roadway; such stops get in the way of rescue crews. At peak times, a line of up to 2 miles (about 3 km) and up to 30 minutes of waiting forms at the West Entrance (park data on wait times).

What to keep in mind for your trip

Arrive before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m.: that way you will get a spot at the pass and encounter fewer cars on the switchbacks. Check road status on the park website, and short alerts come by SMS: text GNPROADS to 333111 (road status on the park website). Driving past closure signs carries a large fine. Before through travel opened, hikers and cyclists could go beyond Avalanche Creek, but only where crews were not working (Going-to-the-Sun Road page). Put trash, including apple cores and peels, in bear-proof containers: food waste draws animals onto the road.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When did Going-to-the-Sun Road open in 2026?

Through travel opened after crews cleared Big Drift and the approaches to Logan Pass (press release on the opening date). The exact date and route length are given at the beginning of the article. Dates change every year, so check the status on the park website before your trip.

Do I need a reservation to enter Glacier National Park in 2026?

No, the vehicle reservation system has been discontinued (park page on reservations). The new rules for Logan Pass are described in the "2026 season: what changed" section. An entrance Park Pass is still required.

Can I drive the road with a trailer or RV?

Partially. Length, width, and height restrictions and places to leave an RV or trailer are collected in the "Vehicle restrictions" section (restrictions on the park website). Check your vehicle dimensions before you leave so you don't have to turn around in the middle of a switchback.

What to do if a section of the road is closed?

Check the current road status and sign up for SMS alerts as described in the "What to consider on your trip" section. Driving past closure signs is not allowed. In 2026, the Highline Trail from Logan Pass was closed due to snow, while other trails open gradually. Check for updates in the morning, before you head out.

In short: what's worth booking

Because of the parking limit at Logan Pass (parking limit according to the park), decide in advance what you want more: a short stop at the pass or a full drive with scenic overlooks.

• If you're going for one day: get a spot at the pass in the morning and allow time for the line at West Glacier.

• If you have an RV or trailer: check your dimensions against the "Vehicle restrictions" section.

• If you don't want to drive: Glacier National Park tours on GetYourGuide handle the driving and logistics around the park for you.