How it works: The National Park Service operates free shuttle buses along Going-to-the-Sun Road from late June through Labor Day. No reservations, no vehicle permit required — just show up at any stop and board. The system runs in two connecting segments (west and east) with a transfer at Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass, covering all major trailheads and viewpoints from Apgar to St. Mary.
During peak season, a timed-entry vehicle permit is required on Going-to-the-Sun Road from 7 am to 3 pm. This applies only to private vehicles. If you're on an NPS shuttle, you can ride to Logan Pass at 9 am with no permit needed. This alone makes the shuttle the best option for peak-season visitors. Vehicle permit guide →
West Side Shuttle — Apgar to Avalanche Creek
The western route runs from Apgar Transit Center (near the park entrance) east along the lake shore to Avalanche Creek. This is the most-used segment for day visitors and campers staying in the Lake McDonald area.
The main western hub. Large parking area — this is the smartest place to leave your vehicle and ride everything else. Restrooms, Apgar Visitor Center and boat rentals all within walking distance. Connects to the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle east.
Small village with a camp store, café, pizza, ice cream, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and the lake shore. A quick 2-minute walk from the transit center — many visitors walk rather than shuttle between these two stops.
Historic cedar-log lodge with a restaurant, bar, gift shop and DUC boat tours. 11 miles east of Apgar — roughly 20 minutes on the shuttle. A great midday stop for lunch or a lake cruise before continuing east.
Lodge guideSmall campground and lake access point along the eastern shore of Lake McDonald. Less busy than Apgar — good for a quiet picnic stop or swimming break. Limited parking for day use.
The most popular trailhead in the Lake McDonald area. Depart here for the Avalanche Lake Trail (4.5 mi round trip, moderate) and the Trail of the Cedars loop (1 mi, accessible boardwalk). Transfer here to the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle for Logan Pass and the east side. This stop fills fast — if you want Avalanche Lake on a July weekend, board the first shuttle of the morning.
Avalanche Lake trail guideGoing-to-the-Sun Road Shuttle — Avalanche Creek to St. Mary
The eastern segment climbs from Avalanche Creek over Logan Pass and down to St. Mary on the east side of the Continental Divide. This is the scenic core of the park and where the altitude and exposure change dramatically.
Capacity note: Logan Pass shuttles fill quickly in July and August, especially on the return trip in the afternoon. If you hike to Logan Pass and plan to shuttle back, board before 3 pm or be prepared to wait 30–60 min for an available bus.
Board the GTSR shuttle here after arriving from Apgar. If you hiked Trail of the Cedars or Avalanche Lake, this is where you continue east toward Logan Pass.
Trailhead for the Highline Trail (one of Glacier's most iconic routes) and the steep hike up to Granite Park Chalet. Many visitors use the shuttle to hike down from Logan Pass on the Highline Trail and exit here, then take a shuttle back — a one-way alpine traverse with zero car logistics.
A dramatic switchback on GTSR with views back over the valley and up toward the Garden Wall. Popular photography stop. Less crowded than Logan Pass.
The summit of Going-to-the-Sun Road at 6,646 ft. Logan Pass Visitor Center, ranger programs, the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail (5 mi round trip) and the start of the Highline Trail. The parking lot here is the most contested in the park — 175 spaces for thousands of daily visitors. The shuttle completely solves this problem. Transfer here between west and east side routes.
Going-to-the-Sun Road guideOne of the few spots where an actual glacier (Jackson Glacier) is clearly visible from the road. A short walk from the pullout to the viewpoint. Glaciers in Glacier National Park are disappearing — this is one of the most accessible views of what remains.
East side access to St. Mary Lake — a completely different landscape from the west side. Drier, more exposed, with prairie and mountain panoramas. Sun Point has a 0.6 mi walk to a dramatic lake viewpoint.
The eastern terminus of the shuttle system. Visitor center, large parking area, restrooms and access to the town of St. Mary (restaurants, lodging, gas station). If you drove to St. Mary and want to shuttle west, start here.
Best Shuttle Strategies
The shuttle unlocks itineraries that are impossible — or miserable — with a car. These are the most effective ways to structure a park day around the system.
The best one-day itinerary in Glacier, car-free. Leave your vehicle at Apgar.
- Shuttle west to east: Apgar → Avalanche Creek → Logan Pass (allow 90 min total, with possible transfer wait)
- Hike the Highline Trail from Logan Pass west toward The Loop (11.6 mi one-way — do as much as you want)
- Exit at The Loop and shuttle back to Apgar
The Avalanche Creek lot fills by 9 am on summer weekends. Skip it entirely.
- Park at Apgar Transit Center (plenty of space)
- First shuttle of the day to Avalanche Creek (~20 min)
- Hike Avalanche Lake (4.5 mi, 500 ft gain)
- Return shuttle to Apgar — stop at the Lodge for lunch on the way back
See both sides of the Continental Divide without moving your car.
- Early shuttle from Apgar through to Logan Pass (transfer at Avalanche Creek)
- Explore Logan Pass and Hidden Lake Overlook
- Continue east by shuttle to Jackson Glacier Overlook and St. Mary
- Return shuttle back to Apgar — a full west-to-east-to-west crossing
Shuttles run until ~10 pm — useful for evening lake access without driving.
- Day hike from your campsite or lodge
- Late afternoon shuttle to Lake McDonald Lodge (~4–5 pm)
- DUC boat tour, dinner at the Lodge restaurant
- Last shuttle back to Apgar after sunset
Rules & Practical Notes
Bikes on the Shuttle
Bikes are allowed on shuttle racks — 2 per bus, first come first served, no guarantee. Additionally, bikes are prohibited on Going-to-the-Sun Road between Apgar and Sprague Creek from 11 am to 4 pm during the main season (roughly June 15 – Labor Day). If you're combining cycling and shuttle, plan your segments for morning and evening.
Pets
Only service animals are allowed on NPS shuttles. Leave pets at the campsite or with a dog-friendly companion — pets are not permitted on most GTSR trails either (paved roads and a few specific areas only).
Accessibility
All NPS shuttle buses are ADA accessible with wheelchair lifts. Drivers assist passengers boarding and disembarking. Logan Pass and most shuttle stop areas have accessible restrooms. Notify the driver at boarding if you need extra time or assistance.
Shuttle does not run before the road opens: If Going-to-the-Sun Road is not yet fully open (common in May and early June due to snowpack), shuttle service is limited or suspended. Check current road status at our GTSR guide or nps.gov/glac before planning a shuttle-dependent itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Glacier National Park shuttle free?
Yes, completely free. The NPS shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road requires no tickets and no reservations. Your park entrance fee (or America the Beautiful pass) is the only cost associated with entering the park. There is no additional charge to use the shuttle system any number of times during your visit.
Do I need a vehicle permit if I take the shuttle?
No. The timed-entry vehicle permit required on Going-to-the-Sun Road from 7 am to 3 pm during peak season applies only to private vehicles. NPS shuttle passengers are exempt — you can board at 7 am and ride to Logan Pass with no permit. This is the single biggest advantage of the shuttle during peak season, when vehicle permits sell out months in advance. Vehicle permit guide →
When does the 2026 shuttle season start?
The full shuttle service typically starts when Going-to-the-Sun Road opens completely — usually in late June, though the exact date varies year to year depending on snowpack and plowing progress. The season ends after Labor Day weekend in early September. For 2026 exact dates, check nps.gov/glac as the season approaches. The west side shuttle (Apgar to Avalanche Creek) sometimes starts before the full road opens.
Can I bring my bike on the Glacier shuttle?
Bikes are allowed on shuttle bus racks (2 per bus) on a first-come, first-served basis — there is no guarantee of space, especially on crowded morning runs. Note that bikes are prohibited on Going-to-the-Sun Road between Apgar and Sprague Creek from 11 am to 4 pm during peak season (roughly June 15 through Labor Day) due to traffic congestion. Plan bike shuttles for early morning or late afternoon segments.
How long does it take to shuttle from Apgar to Logan Pass?
Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours total, including a transfer at Avalanche Creek. The west side shuttle (Apgar → Avalanche Creek) takes approximately 40–45 minutes. After transferring, the GTSR shuttle from Avalanche Creek to Logan Pass takes another 45–60 minutes. Wait times at Avalanche Creek during peak hours can add 15–30 minutes. Leaving Apgar at 7–8 am gets you to Logan Pass before the midday rush.
What time does the first and last shuttle run?
Approximate 2025 hours (2026 may differ slightly): first shuttles depart Apgar around 7 am; last returns to Apgar around 10–11 pm. Logan Pass service runs more limited hours outside peak midday. Check the current season schedule at the Apgar Visitor Center on arrival, or download the NPS Glacier app which posts current shuttle times. Schedules are subject to change based on road conditions and staffing.