Glacier's Sun Road reservation system ends Monday

Glacier National Park is winding down operations as fall approaches and another record-shattering visitor season comes to an end.

In an announcement this week, park officials said they anticipate visitation numbers will remain high through September. The reservation system for the Going-to-the-Sun Road is scheduled to end next Monday, meaning motorists won't need a ticket to access the road.

The Sun Road is scheduled to remain open from Avalanche Creek to the Jackson Glacier Overlook until midnight on Oct. 17, pending closures due to winter weather.

The park previously announced it would close the Sun Road on the west side for utility work on Oct. 1, but that work has been postponed until 2022, park spokesman Gina Kerzman said Wednesday.

Officials say the reservation system — a pilot program tested out this year to alleviate traffic congestion — succeeded in that regard, although it caused headaches for many locals and visitors who struggled to find available tickets at recreation.gov.

The park's shuttle service also will end Monday.

All of the park's real-time reporting systems for campground availability, trail status and more are currently down. Officials said the online service is not expected to resume this season.

Fall visitors should prepare for cooler temperatures and the potential for rain or snow, especially in alpine areas. Bears will be more active as the bulk up for hibernation, so visitors should be careful to follow food storage requirements. Pets are never permitted on trails within the park.

Roads and visitor centers

Visitors should check ahead of time for congestion and temporary traffic restrictions due to construction in the park and on U.S. 2 near the west entrance.

Construction will continue on Many Glacier Road, causing delays in both directions of up to 40 minutes during the day and up to three hours at night. The road will be closed to the public starting at midnight on Sept. 19.

The Camas Road also is under construction, causing 30-minute delays in both directions during the day.

At the Logan Pass Visitor Center, visitor information services will continue daily through Sept. 26. The Glacier National Park Conservancy's bookstore there also will close Sept. 26. Potable water will be unavailable at Logan Pass after Sept. 12.

At the St. Mary Visitor Center, visitor information services will continue daily through Oct. 3. Potable water will be unavailable at St. Mary after Oct. 4.

At the Apgar Visitor Center, visitor information services will continue daily through Oct. 11, then move to weekends-only through Oct. 24, weather permitting. Restrooms and potable water are available at the Apgar Visitor Center plaza year-round.

Concessions including lodging, food service and retail shops also will begin winding down in mid-September. Visitors should check ahead of time for closures and operating hours.

Camping

The Logging Creek and Quartz Creek campgrounds will close this Thursday, the Fish Creek Campground will close next Monday, and the Sprague Creek and Many Glacier campgrounds will close Sept. 13.

Loop B of the Apgar Campground will move to primitive status on Oct. 4. The Bowman and Kintla Lake campgrounds will move to primitive status on Sept. 13, and the Two Medicine Campground will move to primitive status on Sept. 20.

Campgrounds in primitive status have vault toilets available and fees are reduced. Campers can use the sites on a first come, first served basis; no reservations are issued for primitive campgrounds.

The Avalanche Creek, Cut Bank, Rising Sun and St. Mary campgrounds will remain closed for the remainder of the season.

Permits are still available for backcountry camping as well. The Apgar Wilderness Permit Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sept. 25, then from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Permits will be issued until 30 minutes before closing.

Advance reservations for wilderness permits will be available until Sept. 26. Walk-in permits are issued up to 24 hours in advance.

Boat inspections

Lake McDonald, Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake will be the only bodies of water open to watercraft in the park after Sept. 25.

Boat inspection stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through this Saturday, then from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Sept. 25, then from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Oct. 31.

All park waters will be closed to watercraft starting Nov. 1.

Assistant editor Chad Sokol may be reached at 406-758-4439 or csokol@dailyinterlake.com.