3 Days in Glacier National Park: Sun Road, Many Glacier, Two Medicine
Cross the park on Going-to-the-Sun Road, spend a day in Many Glacier and finish at Two Medicine, with the 2026 Logan Pass shuttle and parking changes explained.
Three days in Glacier National Park works best as a west-to-east crossing: Lake McDonald and Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass on Day 1, Many Glacier on Day 2 and Two Medicine on Day 3. In 2026 the park dropped its vehicle reservation system, so no entry reservation was needed, but Logan Pass had a 3-hour parking limit and a ticketed shuttle from July 1 to September 7. Plan the trip for July through mid-September, when the full road is usually open.
Glacier charges $35 per private vehicle for a 7-day pass in summer as of November 2026. The rules for 2027 had not been announced when this was written, so check the park’s site in spring.
What are Glacier’s 2026 entry and Logan Pass rules?
The park stated that vehicle reservations would not be required in 2026, including at Many Glacier, Two Medicine and the North Fork. Instead, rangers could temporarily divert cars when an area filled; visitors with lodging, camping, boat tour or backcountry reservations were still let in.
- Logan Pass parking: private vehicles could park for up to 3 hours, enforced around the clock, from July 1 to September 7, 2026. Drivers took a free timestamped permit from a kiosk.
- Ticketed shuttle: the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle to Logan Pass ran as express service with tickets only, $1 each, sold on Recreation.gov. Some tickets opened 60 days ahead and the rest at 7 p.m. Mountain time the day before. Everyone age 2 and older needed a ticket.
- Shuttle stops: Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge on the west side; St. Mary Visitor Center and Rising Sun on the east side. In 2026 the shuttle did not serve Avalanche Lake or the Trail of the Cedars.
- Long hikes from Logan Pass, such as the Highline Trail, need a shuttle ride, because 3 hours of parking is not enough.
The park’s Visiting Logan Pass in 2026 page has the full details. For how Glacier compares with other parks that use permits, see our list of national parks that require reservations.
What is the best 3-day Glacier itinerary?
Day 1: Lake McDonald and Going-to-the-Sun Road
Start at Apgar Village on the south end of Lake McDonald, then drive along the lake to the Trail of the Cedars, a flat boardwalk loop. Hike to Avalanche Lake, about 4.5 miles round trip, before 9 a.m., when parking is easier. Continue up Going-to-the-Sun Road past The Loop and the Weeping Wall to Logan Pass, the high point of the road at 6,646 feet on the Continental Divide.
With a 3-hour parking window, the Hidden Lake Overlook trail, about 2.7 miles round trip, fits well; mountain goats and bighorn sheep are often seen near the boardwalk. Then descend the east side past Siyeh Bend, Sun Point and St. Mary Lake, with a stop at Wild Goose Island Overlook. The full 50-mile road takes about 2 hours without stops and most of a day with them. Base: St. Mary or Many Glacier.
Day 2: Many Glacier
Drive about 40 minutes north from St. Mary to Many Glacier, often called the best area of the park for wildlife and hiking. Arrive by 7 a.m. in July and August, because the area may be closed temporarily to new cars when it fills. Choose one hike:
- Grinnell Glacier: about 10.6 miles round trip and 1,600 feet of climbing to a glacier and turquoise lake; the concession boats across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine can shorten it.
- Iceberg Lake: about 9.7 miles round trip to a lake that often holds floating ice into summer.
- Easier: the Swiftcurrent Lake loop or Grinnell Lake via the boats.
Scan the slopes for grizzly bears from the road and the hotel area in the evening. Base: Many Glacier or St. Mary.
Day 3: Two Medicine and back west
Drive south on Highway 89 and Highway 49 to Two Medicine, a quieter valley about an hour from St. Mary. Walk to Running Eagle Falls, about 0.6 miles round trip, then take the boat across Two Medicine Lake or hike Scenic Point, about 7 miles round trip with a steady climb. Return west on US-2 along the park’s southern edge to West Glacier, about 1.5 hours, for an evening flight from Glacier Park International Airport near Kalispell, or stay one more night.
| Drive | Approx. miles | Time |
|---|---|---|
| West Glacier to Logan Pass (Sun Road) | 32 | 1–1.25 hr |
| Logan Pass to St. Mary | 18 | 40 min |
| St. Mary to Many Glacier | 21 | 40 min |
| St. Mary to Two Medicine | 40 | 1 hr |
| East Glacier Park to West Glacier (US-2) | 57 | 1.25–1.5 hr |
| West Glacier to Glacier Park International Airport | 25 | 30–40 min |
Should you stay on the east or west side of Glacier?
Splitting your nights is the best answer: one on the west side and two on the east side cuts the most driving from this plan.
| Base | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| West Glacier, Apgar, Columbia Falls, Whitefish | Most lodging and food, close to the airport, Lake McDonald | Far from Many Glacier and Two Medicine |
| St. Mary | Central for the east side and the Sun Road | Limited, seasonal lodging |
| Many Glacier (in-park hotel, motor inn, campground) | Trailheads at the door, wildlife | Books out a year ahead, few services |
| East Glacier Park | Two Medicine, train station, historic lodge | Long drive to Logan Pass |
The east side borders the Blackfeet Nation. Fishing or recreating on Blackfeet land outside the park needs a tribal permit, and private land along the roads should be respected.
When is the best time to do this itinerary?
The full Going-to-the-Sun Road usually opens between mid-June and early July, after crews clear snow from dozens of avalanche paths. In 2026 it opened on June 22. The alpine section usually closes in mid-October, and Logan Pass can close earlier for snow.
| Period | Roads and trails | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Late May–June | Sun Road partly open; high trails snowy | Lower valleys only |
| July | Full road usually open; some trails still snowy early | Very good, busiest |
| August | Most trails open; wildfire smoke possible | Best for hiking |
| Early–mid September | Open, colder nights, services start closing | Fewer people, fall color |
| October–May | Sun Road alpine section closed; many services closed | Winter visit to Lake McDonald only |
What should you book ahead for Glacier?
- In-park lodges (Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, Swiftcurrent, Two Medicine area): book as soon as reservations open, often more than a year ahead for July and August.
- Campgrounds: most are reserved on Recreation.gov months ahead; a few are first-come, first-served.
- Shuttle tickets: if the ticketed system returns in 2027, book on the 60-day release.
- Boat tours at Many Glacier and Two Medicine: a few weeks ahead in peak season.
- Vehicle size: vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet, mirrors included, are not allowed on the alpine section of the Sun Road between Avalanche and Sun Point. RV travelers should read our RV vs car and hotel comparison.
How do you stay safe in Glacier?
Glacier is grizzly bear country. Park rules prohibit approaching within 100 yards of bears or wolves and 25 yards of other wildlife.
- Carry bear spray where you can reach it fast, and know how to use it. The park’s bear safety page explains when and how.
- Hike in groups, make noise on blind corners and never run from a bear.
- Snow can linger on high trails into July; do not cross steep snowfields without proper gear.
- Stay back from fast streams and wet rocks near waterfalls.
How much do 3 days in Glacier cost?
Rough planning ranges for two travelers sharing a room for 3 nights, excluding flights and car rental, as of November 2026.
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging (3 nights) | $80–200 (campgrounds) | $600–1,000 (motels, motor inns) | $1,000–1,800 (historic park lodges) |
| Entrance | $35 (7-day vehicle pass) | $35 | $35 |
| Food for two | $100–160 | $250–400 | $400–650 |
| Fuel | $40–70 | $40–70 | $50–80 |
| Boats, shuttle, tours | $0–10 | $80–150 (one boat tour) | $250–500 (boats, guided hike, red bus tour) |
| Total for two | $255–475 | $1,005–1,655 | $1,735–3,065 |
Non-US residents age 16 and older also pay a $100 per-person nonresident fee at Glacier, in place since January 1, 2026, unless they hold the $250 nonresident annual pass.
What if you have less or more time?
With 1 day: drive Going-to-the-Sun Road end to end with Avalanche Lake and Hidden Lake Overlook.
With 5 days: add the Highline Trail from Logan Pass by shuttle, a second Many Glacier hike, and a day in the remote North Fork or a trip north to Waterton Lakes in Canada if you have a passport. Our Glacier National Park guide covers regions, lodges and smoke season.
Bottom line
Three days in Glacier fits the Sun Road and Logan Pass, Many Glacier and Two Medicine if you travel between July and mid-September and base yourself on the east side for two nights. No entry reservation was needed in 2026, but early starts, a shuttle ticket for long Logan Pass hikes and bear spray on every trail are essential.
FAQ
Do you need a reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road in 2026?
No. Glacier did not require vehicle reservations in 2026. Instead, Logan Pass had 3-hour parking and a ticketed $1 shuttle from July 1 to September 7. Check the park website for 2027 rules.
Is 3 days enough for Glacier National Park?
Three days covers the main drive and two of the best east-side valleys with one hike each. Serious hikers usually want 4 to 6 days to add the Highline Trail and more Many Glacier trails.
When does Going-to-the-Sun Road fully open?
Usually between mid-June and early July, depending on snow. In 2026 the full road opened on June 22. It typically stays open until mid-October, weather permitting.
Which side of Glacier is better to stay on?
The east side (St. Mary, Many Glacier, East Glacier Park) is closer to the best hiking and wildlife areas. The west side has more lodging and is closer to the airport. Many visitors split their nights.
