Labor Day weekend brings fall schedule

Free shuttle service operates through Monday, Sept. 3

Glacier National Park’s free shuttle service accessing Logan Pass and locations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road will operate through Labor Day, Sept. 3, the last day it will run this season.

To allow accelerated fall season rehabilitation on the Sun Road, the last day drivers can access Logan Pass on the west side will be Sunday, Sept. 16. After that, the Sun Road will be gated at Avalanche Creek Campground. Vehicles can continue to access Logan Pass from the east side through Sunday, Oct. 14, weather permitting. The original press release incorrectly stated Oct. 21.

• Hours of operation for several visitor contact centers will change after Labor Day:

Apgar Backcountry Permit Office, through Sept. 29, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sept. 30 to Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Apgar Visitor Center, Sept. 4 to Sept. 30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 1 to Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 27 to April 30, 2013, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends only.

St. Mary Visitor Center, Sept. 4 to Sept. 30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Logan Pass Visitor Center, Sept. 4 to Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Avalanche, Cut Bank and Fish Creek campgrounds will close at noon on Sept. 3. Rising Creek and Sprague Creek campgrounds will close at noon on Sept. 10. Primitive camping will be available at Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake campgrounds starting Sept. 9, and at St. Mary, Two Medicine and Many Glacier campgrounds beginning Sept. 16.

Campgrounds in primitive status have pit toilets available, no potable or drinking water, limited number of sites, and fees are reduced to $10 per night. Current campground status is available at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm.  

• Hours of operation to conduct boat inspections and receive permits will also change this fall:

West side, Sept. 8 to Sept. 30, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Nov. 1 to May 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., expect delays and call ahead to estimate arrival time at 888-7800

East side, Sept. 1 to Sept. 20, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sept. 21 to late May, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., expect delays and call ahead to estimate arrival time at 888-7800

• Many concessioner services will begin closing mid-September, including lodging, transportation, food service, retail shops and boat rentals.

Autumn visitors to Glacier Park will find less crowds, cooler temperatures and changing vegetation colors. Area residents and visitors are reminded that the Park is open year-round and park recreational opportunities can be found during all seasons.  

For more information, visit online at www.nps.gov/glac or call 888-7800.