If your summer plans include a trip to Glacier National Park this year, plan on driving a few extra miles because the East Entrances to the Park will not be opening this season. In a press release last week (6/25), the Blackfeet Tribal Council announced they have voted to keep their borders with the park closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A portion of the Council's announcement states,

WHEREAS, Based on the spike in COVID-19 cases in Montana and the health and safety risk to the residents of the Blackfeet Reservation have high numbers of health disparities, the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council hereby desires to close the eastern border of Glacier National Park for the protection of the residents of the Blackfeet Reservation for the rest of the 2020 tourism season

Affected travel routes from the east include these roads: Two Medicine, Chief Mountain, St. Mary’s, Cut Bank Creek and Many Glacier. You can still access Glacier National Park from the western entrances.

Credit: NPS
Credit: NPS
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The AP reported in 2019 Glacier National Park, "the crown jewel of the west" had 2.41 million visitors, down from 3.3 million the previous year. While locals have been visiting our public forests in record attendance, one can assume out-of-state visits to GNP will likely be down this year because of COVID-19.

A number of facilities and attractions remain closed at the park. As of 6/29 these are just a few that are not open or operating:

  • The Glacier Park Boat Company has suspended all tours and rentals for the 2020 season.
  • Sun Tours and Glacier National Park Lodges Red Bus Tours will not operate this summer
  • Lake McDonald is currently the only lake open to boating (non-motorized only.)

Additionally, the following lodging options are closed: Rising Sun Motor Inn and Two Dog Flats restaurant, Many Glacier Hotel – lodging, food service and gift shop and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Campstore. For current information of what is and is not open at Glacier, CLICK HERE.

 

 

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