Sun Road opening day vehicle count up 41% over 2019

WEST GLACIER — Preliminary numbers for the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park show a 41% increase in the number of vehicles on the iconic road over opening day in 2019.

The seasonal opening of the Sun Road — June 25 this season — marked the beginning of a new phase of the ticketed entry system aimed at reducing vehicle congestion on the road. According to a park press release, the system is working well, getting the park close to maximum capacity without reaching the point of severe congestion and gridlock. Park officials continue to evaluate and make changes to manage visitation levels.

The ticketed entry system has allowed park officials to avoid west entrance closures to relieve severe congestion, the release stated. Data suggest that congestion and gridlock would have required the west entrance to temporarily close at least 15 times from Memorial Day weekend through the end of June in the absence of the ticketed entry system. Overall, the number of vehicles on the Sun Road during the same period was up 20% from 2019 levels.

The park is using 2019 visitor numbers because the COVID-19 pandemic caused visitor numbers to plummet in 2020.

With the road open, the number of Sun Road ticketed entry reservations available on recreation.gov 48 hours in advance has increased. Tickets for the end of August also are still available for visitors planning trips later in the summer. Tickets are not required before 6 a.m. or after 5 p.m., and are not required for other areas of the park.

The park is seeing expected changes in visitation patterns, with traffic more spread out throughout the day. Visitors can expect long lines and wait times at 5 p.m. when tickets aren’t required, which can be avoided by arriving closer to or after 6 p.m.

July 1 marked the first day of operation for the park's Ticket-to-Ride shuttle service. Tickets for the shuttle are still available and can be reserved on recreation.gov 60 days or 48 hours in advance.