News Now

Going-to-the-Sun Opens Early: Visitors React to Glacier’s Iconic Road Experience

Daily Inter Lake

In this special episode of News Now, reporter Taylor Inman hits the road — literally — to capture the joy, surprise, and awe of visitors experiencing Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road on its opening day on June 18th, 2025. From families who extended their trip to lucky travelers who scored last-minute tickets, hear what it's like to witness Glacier’s alpine grandeur for the first time.

Guests share stories of wildlife sightings, reservation system wins, and first impressions of Logan Pass, Lake McDonald, and Avalanche Lake. Whether you're a Glacier veteran or planning your first trip, this episode captures the magic of one of America’s most iconic roads.

As of July 1st, 2025, Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open for the summer — that’s all 50 miles from West Glacier to St. Mary, including Logan Pass and Rising Sun. Timed-entry vehicle reservations are still required on the West Entrance side during peak hours – that's 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. - through September 28th. No reservations are needed to enter from the east side at St. Mary. A Summer shuttle service is now running daily between Apgar and St. Mary starting July 1st. 

For ongoing updates on road conditions, trail access, wildlife closures, or sudden weather changes, visit the official National Park Service Glacier page at  nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit — and remember to always be prepared for chilly, alpine conditions even in July.

Read Taylor's full article here.

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In Season 3 of Daily Inter Lake's Deep Dive podcast, we explore the devastating fire that struck the small town of Noxon, Montana. By the end of the day on February 27, 2024, three-quarters of the town’s business community were wiped out. Listen to the two-part story on any audio platform you prefer, or watch the series on our YouTube channel.

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