Located in northwestern Montana's Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park is most commonly reached by flying into Kalispell and driving 30 miles east on Highway 2. Amtrak's Empire Builder trains also stop directly at the West Glacier boundary year-round.
West Glacier, MT
Glacier Park International Airport sits 30 miles west of the West Entrance. Travelers pick up rental cars at the terminal and drive east along Highway 2 directly into West Glacier. This path provides immediate access to Park Headquarters, the Apgar Visitor Center, and the western end of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Commercial flight volume increases during summer. The park lacks internal fueling stations, requiring drivers to fill their tanks in Kalispell or West Glacier before crossing the boundary.
Missoula International Airport provides alternative commercial flight routes 150 miles south of the West Entrance. The drive requires following Highway 93 north before connecting to Highway 2 east toward West Glacier. This 2.5 to 3-hour journey passes through the Flathead Valley and skirts Flathead Lake. Visitors face longer transit times and potential summer traffic through lakeside towns. The highway ends at the West Entrance, feeding directly into the Lake McDonald area.
Great Falls International Airport positions travelers 130 to 165 miles from Glacier's eastern boundary. Drivers take US Highway 89 north through Browning on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. This path bypasses the West Entrance entirely, delivering visitors to the St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier entrances. The drive takes up to 3.5 hours across open plains before reaching the Rocky Mountain front. Drivers need to secure fuel in Browning or St. Mary, as services remain sparse along the eastern perimeter.
The Amtrak Empire Builder stops directly at the park boundary on its route between Chicago and Seattle. Year-round stations operate at West Glacier (Belton) and the Izaak Walton Inn at Essex, while East Glacier Park runs as a seasonal stop. During summer, Glacier National Park Lodges runs a paid shuttle connecting the West Glacier depot to Apgar Village and Lake McDonald Lodge. Shuttle reservations are mandatory. Winter arrivals face closed lodges and zero public transit, requiring total self-sufficiency upon stepping off the platform.
Drivers approaching from the west take Highway 2 east from Kalispell, covering 33 miles to reach West Glacier in 45 minutes. Eastern approaches rely on Highway 89 north from Great Falls, tracing a 125-mile route through Browning to access St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier. The park charges a $35 summer vehicle entrance fee, payable by card only. Going-to-the-Sun Road restricts vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. Drivers must download maps beforehand due to nonexistent cell service.
Parking at popular trailheads like Logan Pass and Avalanche Lake is included with the $35 summer entrance fee, though lots routinely fill before 8 a.m. in July and August. Logan Pass enforces a three-hour parking limit. Visitors can bypass driving entirely by using the park's fully accessible shuttle system for a $1 ticketing fee.
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| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier Park International Airport (Kalispell) | Car | 45 minutes | Rental cars $40–$80 per day | Drive 30 miles east on Highway 2 to reach the West Entrance. Fill your tank in Kalispell or West Glacier, as the park has no fueling stations. |
| Missoula International Airport | Car | 2.5–3 hours | Rental cars $40–$80 per day | Head 150 miles north on Highway 93, then east on Highway 2 to access the West Entrance. |
| Great Falls International Airport | Car | 2.5–3.5 hours | Rental cars $40–$80 per day | Take US Highway 89 north through Browning to access the east side entrances at St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier. |
| Amtrak Empire Builder Route | Train | Varies by origin | Fare varies; additional fee for shuttle | Disembark at the year-round West Glacier (Belton) stop. Reserve the summer shuttle operated by Glacier National Park Lodges to reach Apgar Village and Lake McDonald Lodge. |
| Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada) | Car | 1 hour (plus customs) | Fuel only | Drive 50 miles south to the St. Mary entrance. You must carry a passport to cross the border, and customs delays will add to your travel time. |
Parking lots at Logan Pass and Avalanche Lake routinely fill before 8 a.m. during July and August. Secure a spot early or book the ticketed shuttle system through Recreation.gov for a $1 processing fee.
Glacier operates a strictly cashless fee system at all entrance stations. A standard private vehicle pass costs $35 in summer, and non-US residents aged 16 and older pay an additional $100 per person unless using an America the Beautiful Pass.
There are no fueling stations within Glacier's 1,012,837 acres. Fill your tank in gateway towns like West Glacier or St. Mary, and download all necessary maps since cell service is nonexistent across most of the park.
Going-to-the-Sun Road enforces strict vehicle limits due to narrow lanes and blind curves carved into cliff faces. Vehicles and combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun.
Amtrak's Empire Builder train stops directly at the park boundary in West Glacier, Essex, and East Glacier Park. Visitors arriving at the West Glacier depot can book a paid summer shuttle to reach Apgar Village and Lake McDonald Lodge.
Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell sits 30 miles west of the West Entrance. The drive takes 45 minutes along Highway 2. Missoula International Airport provides an alternative entry point 150 miles south.
Glacier does not require vehicle reservations for any area of the park in 2026. Visitors accessing Logan Pass face a ticketed shuttle system and three-hour limits on timed parking. Shuttle tickets cost a $1 processing fee via Recreation.gov.
The Amtrak Empire Builder stops year-round at West Glacier and the Izaak Walton Inn at Essex, with seasonal service to East Glacier Park. Glacier National Park Lodges operates a paid summer shuttle connecting the West Glacier depot to Apgar Village and Lake McDonald Lodge. Riders must reserve this shuttle in advance.
A standard private vehicle pass costs $35.00 in the summer and $25.00 during the winter rate period from November 1 to April 30. This pass grants entry for seven consecutive days. The park operates a cashless system at all entry gates.
Vehicles and combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet cannot drive on Going-to-the-Sun Road between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. The route features narrow lanes and steep drop-offs that make larger vehicles unsafe.
The lower sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road near West Glacier remain plowed and open year-round. The full route over Logan Pass typically opens in late June or early July once crews clear the snowpack. The alpine sections close for winter around the third Monday of October.
Reach the St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier entrances by driving US Highway 89 north through Browning. Great Falls International Airport sits 130 to 165 miles southeast of these access points. Fill your gas tank before arriving, as no fueling stations exist inside the park boundaries.
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