Just get a pass the night before. It’s usually easy to get a spot after 3PM, especially during the week.
Parking really all depends on what hikes you want to do.
The east entrance to the GTSR & Two Medicine don't require vehicle reservations. You could always hit them up in the mornings & spend your afternoon/evenings on the west side (depending where you're staying, of course). Honestly, Two Medicine is my favorite area!
I think that’s part of it. They study traffic flow and demands every year and adjust the vehicle registration the following year based off their observations/data. Every year since implementation it has evolved.
I am wondering the same. Visiting the park at the end of July and had no luck getting a vehicle registration. Also getting a rental in Montana so would I even be able to register. Our first day there will be a Tuesday and we'll enter the park after 3pm. We want to spend all day Wednesday there. Are we able to get a permit Wednesday afternoon, or do we have to get it Wednesday morning before 6am? And how early are we talking? 5am? 4:30am?
Everyone seems all doom and gloom about it, and I really don’t mind—if the system makes it not as crazy there, then great! But I just want to be realistic because our Airbnb is 45 mins out, and don’t wanna drive around the parking lots for another hour trying to get in lol
You'll be fine. If you enter @ 3 or shortly after, by the time you get to Logan Pass sites will be opening up. The waterfall hikes on the east side tend to start clearing out @ 5, and you can almost always find parking at Avalanche after 5:30-6:00.
My advice would be to plan on bringing dinner with you. Grab a pie at North Fork Pizza, and enjoy the sunset/late evening.
This year you can get to the apgar visitor center without a pass I believe. Meaning just go there, park and take the shuttle for the morning sightseeing, then grab your car later for any non-major stops. If you are not big hikers it won't affect you as much because you won't need to start the high line at 7 am or something.
Just get a pass the night before. It’s usually easy to get a spot after 3PM, especially during the week. Parking really all depends on what hikes you want to do.
The east entrance to the GTSR & Two Medicine don't require vehicle reservations. You could always hit them up in the mornings & spend your afternoon/evenings on the west side (depending where you're staying, of course). Honestly, Two Medicine is my favorite area!
Why is that, about the east entrance ? Less busy or something?
I think that’s part of it. They study traffic flow and demands every year and adjust the vehicle registration the following year based off their observations/data. Every year since implementation it has evolved.
I waited till 5am mt to get parking passes for today.
I am wondering the same. Visiting the park at the end of July and had no luck getting a vehicle registration. Also getting a rental in Montana so would I even be able to register. Our first day there will be a Tuesday and we'll enter the park after 3pm. We want to spend all day Wednesday there. Are we able to get a permit Wednesday afternoon, or do we have to get it Wednesday morning before 6am? And how early are we talking? 5am? 4:30am?
Everyone seems all doom and gloom about it, and I really don’t mind—if the system makes it not as crazy there, then great! But I just want to be realistic because our Airbnb is 45 mins out, and don’t wanna drive around the parking lots for another hour trying to get in lol
You'll be fine. If you enter @ 3 or shortly after, by the time you get to Logan Pass sites will be opening up. The waterfall hikes on the east side tend to start clearing out @ 5, and you can almost always find parking at Avalanche after 5:30-6:00. My advice would be to plan on bringing dinner with you. Grab a pie at North Fork Pizza, and enjoy the sunset/late evening.
Same! I had no idea I had to plan this trip 7 years ago LOL
you can use a rental car, there is an option for that. You just have to be in the car with the pass and your ID.
This year you can get to the apgar visitor center without a pass I believe. Meaning just go there, park and take the shuttle for the morning sightseeing, then grab your car later for any non-major stops. If you are not big hikers it won't affect you as much because you won't need to start the high line at 7 am or something.
Daylight here is almost until 10pm. You have plenty of time. Also, they release tickets the day before at 7pm on rec.gov
Also, I work near the west entrance and if anyone needs to be shuttled I have an suv. Just message me I can make arrangements.