Summer's almost here in Glacier Park

Park officials invite visitors to Glacier National Park for a fee-free day on the summer solstice, Tuesday, June 21.

All entrance fees are waived that day for entry into Glacier, according to a news release Friday from the park.

Entering the last weekend before summer starts, there are more campgrounds and services open in Glacier.

In the Many Glacier Valley, the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Many Glacier Hotel, Many Glacier boat tours and Swiftcurrent Campground opened on Friday.

In the Two Medicine Valley, boat tours have begun. Ranger-led activities have commenced and schedules can be found online or at entrance stations to the park.

Due to the lingering snowpack, opening of Two Medicine and Cut Bank campgrounds are delayed.

Horse trips in the Lake McDonald and Many Glacier valleys are delayed until trail and lake conditions improve.

Many of the park’s trails and backcountry campgrounds may be under snow later than normal and snow hazards may linger through July or into August. The placement of some backcountry suspension bridges has been delayed due to high water. Visitors are reminded to check trail conditions in a visitor center or backcountry office before departing on the trail.

Plowing continues on the upper reaches of Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Although there is no estimate on when the upper sections of Sun Road will be cleared of snow, plow crews are working diligently.

To accelerate progress, the plow crews will add an extra work day per week to the plow schedule starting Monday.

On the west side, crews pioneered through the Triple Arches and are approximately two miles from Logan Pass. On the east side, crews have completed initial plowing of the east tunnel and are a mile from Logan Pass. Crews are encountering the largest snowpack this late in the season in their experience.

“Although we are not ready to estimate when the Sun Road will open in the upper elevations, the park is open and ready for visitors. With a fee-free day on Tuesday, this is a great time to enjoy the park and our many services, activities, and roads,” Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright said. “The wildlife, waterfalls and wildflowers are impressive at this time of year and should not be missed.”

On the west side, there will be a hiker/biker restriction at Packer’s Roost, six miles beyond Avalanche Creek, today due to road construction. There are no planned hiker/biker restrictions on the west side on Sunday or on the east side all weekend.

Beginning Monday, HK Contractors, the contractor for Sun Road rehabilitation, will begin night work beyond the Avalanche Creek closure. No travel will be allowed through the construction zone outside of a 15-minute window from 2 to 2:15 a.m. Monday night through Friday mornings.

Park officials anticipate higher water levels in creeks, streams and rivers throughout the park for a longer duration than usual with some reaching flood stage.

Visitors are reminded to use caution around water, be aware of their surroundings and know the weather forecast. Visitors should not attempt to cross flooded roads.

Links for photos, video clips, road conditions, plowing status, and ranger-led activities can be found on the park’s home page, www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm.

For information on current campground status, visit home.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm. For backcountry camping and trail status, visit www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm.

Visitors also may call park headquarters at 888-7800 for current conditions.