Glacier National Park’s famous Going-to-the-Sun Road officially opened for the 2025 season on Monday, giving visitors full access to one of the most scenic routes in the U.S.
According to an article by 8 KPAX, the road is now open to both cars and bicycles after months of preparation by park crews.
Park spokeswoman Autumn Sifuentes confirmed that while this is a typical time for the road to open, “It takes a lot of work, especially for our plow staff they’re working on avalanches, removing the snow, doing it safely, rock slides,” she said.
“We also just want everyone to be safe; they have to put guard rails in. There’s a lot of work that goes into it, you know, besides getting rid of the snow,” Autumn added.
The road, which crosses the Continental Divide and offers sweeping views of alpine terrain, requires extensive clearing of snow and rockfall each spring.
With the route now fully operational, the park is urging visitors to be mindful of their environmental impact.
Sifuentes reminded the public not to leave food waste behind, noting, “Sometimes people think that it’s okay to leave it on the trail because they think it will just go away, but that could attract animals that we don’t really want,” she said.
“Especially if it’s off on the road, then there’s animals near the roadside which we don’t want because that could become a safety issue,” She clarified.
Tourists already in the park were fortunate to be present for the opening. Charlene Oleinick, visiting from Tennessee, said, “I have distinct memories of Going-to-the-Sun Road, which I think I went to the first time when I was about 5 years old. So it’s now 60 years later, and so I’m really looking forward to seeing it again and seeing if my memories are accurate or real.”
Timed entry vehicle registrations are currently required from the west entrance and will remain in effect until September 28.
Park officials encourage guests to plan ahead and check daily conditions before setting out.
The road’s opening each year signals the start of peak season at Glacier National Park, drawing thousands of visitors eager to hike, bike, or drive through its high-elevation landscapes.
While the weather has been favorable this year, safety remains a top concern. Crews installed barriers and conducted inspections to ensure the road could handle the expected traffic safely.
Opening the Going-to-the-Sun Road also helps ease congestion elsewhere in the park, spreading out visitor activity and enabling better experiences at major points like Logan Pass, Lake McDonald, and St. Mary.
This annual reopening is a major boost for the outdoor recreation industry, especially in the northern Rockies. It supports RV travel, bike tours, and gateway towns that depend on park tourism—making the road not just a scenic route, but an economic engine for the entire region.