Understanding the Hikers' Shuttle at Many Glacier in Glacier National Park

Construction in 2025 and 2026 means changes for those hiking in this popular hiking area.

The Swiftcurrent area in Many Glacier is undergoing significant reconstruction in 2025 and 2026 limited access for hikers in this extremely popular area of Glacier National Park. To provide some access, Glacier National Park officials are offering a ticketed shuttle system to allow hikers to visit their favorite trails.

In a press release, Glacier National Park Superintendent David Roemer said, “We chose to keep Many Glacier open during construction, with mitigations, after taking public comment on this project in July 2023, There was a lot of support for keeping the valley open and available for hiking, despite the limited parking capacity."

From July 1 to Sept. 21, visitors will be need a ticket for the shuttles, which will be available at recreation.gov purchased one week before or after 7 p.m. the night before you’ll use it. The Park Service estimates they should be able to transport 120 groups of hikers each day.

With your ticket in hand, you’ll park in a designated parking spot alongside Many Glacier road where the shuttle will pick you up to take you to the Many Glacier Hotel. They will stop en route at the entrance station to make sure you also have a park pass. This can be one for Glacier or the America the Beautiful pass that is good for all of the national parks. Reverse this process to head back to your vehicle, although there is no word on how late the shuttles will run each day.

If you are staying at the Many Glacier Hotel, or if you have a reservation to go horseback riding with Swan Valley Outfitters or on a boat ride with Glacier Park Boat Company. (Please, do not make a reservation, then not use it! It takes away the opportunity of these special experiences for others.) Show your reservation when you enter the entrance gate. According to the Park, they’re going to close a gate at the entrance at night to prevent folks from entering (or leaving).

They are also not allowing hiking or biking on Many Glacier Road during the same period from July to the third week of September. There will be no personal watercraft permitted on the water in Many Glacier, but you can still rent them from Glacier Park Boat Company.

Many Glacier is one of the most spectacular areas of the park, so it’s worthwhile to purchase the ticket and hop on the shuttle to reach the trail to Grinnell Glacier, Cracker Lake, Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel, Swiftcurrent Pass, among several other memorial hikes.