Weather
Glacier National Park, Montana, officials closed the alpine sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road for the winter on Tuesday afternoon as a winter storm brought snow and ice to the region. The closure covers the stretch from Avalanche Creek on the west side to Rising Sun on the east, with vehicle access now limited to the lower sections of the road.
Park officials announced the closure on October 14 via automated text message, part of a limited communication system that remains in place amid the ongoing federal government shutdown that began October 1, the Flathead Beacon reports. Visitors have been advised to rely on text alerts and the park’s website for operational updates.
“Going-to-the-Sun Road is now closed for the season between Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass. Travel on other sections of the road, including for hiker-biker access, may change at any time due to winter weather conditions. Travelers in the area should stay informed about road conditions as they may affect park access.”
Visitors can receive real-time road status updates by texting GNPROADS to 333111.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is a scenic mountain road in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States, in Glacier National Park in Montana. The Sun Road, as it is sometimes abbreviated in National Park Service documents, is the only road traversing the park, crossing the Continental Divide through Logan Pass at an elevation of 6,646 feet, the highest point on the road. Historically, the road closes for the season in mid to late October, depending on snowfall. This year, the road opened for the summer on June 16. Last year it opened on June 24, and in 2023 it opened on June 13. In 2022, July 13 was one of the latest dates since 1933. The last time the road opened in May was 2005.
