Get into Glacier Park free until April 24

Beginning today, getting into Glacier National Park is free to all visitors for National Park Week, which ends April 24.

The National Park Service will waive all entrance fees at every unit in the park system for nine days in honor of National Park Service Centennial.

Additional information on the national celebration can be found online at http://www.nationalparks.org/connect/npf-news/find-your-park-during-national-park-week.

Visitors can drive Glacier’s Camas Road and the first 11.5 miles of Going-to-the-Sun Road from the park entrance to Lake McDonald Lodge.

Hikers and bicyclists can continue up the road for another 10 miles to Red Rock Point, and farther during the weekends and after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, when plow crews aren’t working. Currently, the road is clear of snow to The Loop, with patchy rocks and debris to Birdwoman Falls Overlook and ice and snow on the road beyond Road Camp.

From the east side of the park, motorists may drive the first 5.5 miles of the Sun Road from the St. Mary entrance to Rising Sun. Beyond that gate, the signs restricting hiking and biking access are currently located at Jackson Glacier Overlook during the week, with no restrictions for hikers and bikers on weekends.

Visitors are reminded that bears have emerged from their dens and that caution is advised, including carrying bear spray and making noise along roads and trails where visibility is restricted.

The Apgar Visitor Center is open weekends from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Since road conditions and openings change frequently this time of year please visit the park’s webpage at www.nps.gov/glac or call 406-888-7800 for updated information.