Parking inside Glacier National Park is limited and fills early on peak summer days. Arriving before 8 am virtually guarantees a spot; arriving after 10 am on a weekend often means a wait. The free NPS shuttle is the park's best-kept secret — it changes everything once you learn the routes.
Vehicle limit: Vehicles and combinations (vehicle + trailer) exceeding 21 feet in total length are not permitted on Going-to-the-Sun Road beyond Avalanche Creek. If you're towing, park at Apgar or Fish Creek.
Parking Lots at a Glance
The largest lot in the Lake McDonald corridor, with space for cars, RVs and larger vehicles. Apgar is the western terminus of the NPS shuttle — you can park here and ride to any trailhead or point along Going-to-the-Sun Road without moving your vehicle again.
Apgar Village has restrooms, the visitor center, boat rentals, a café and an ice cream shop. The beach walk to the lake shore is just 5 minutes on foot. This is the smartest base if you plan to use the shuttle system.
The main lot at the Lodge is reserved for registered guests during peak hours. Day visitors can park here for dining (Russell's Fireside Dining, Jammer Joe's) or the boat tour docks, but space is extremely limited and turnover is slow on busy days.
If you're visiting for lunch or a boat tour, arrive before 9 am or after 4 pm for the best chance of finding a space. Alternatively, park at Apgar and take the shuttle to the Lodge stop — it's 11 miles east and runs every 15–30 minutes in summer.
The trailhead for both the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk and the Avalanche Lake Trail. This lot is small (roughly 50 cars) and fills extremely fast — often by 8:30 am on peak summer days. Once full, you may wait 30+ minutes for a spot to open.
The smart move: Park at Apgar and take the shuttle. It drops you directly at the Avalanche Creek trailhead and saves the stress. Full trailhead guide →
No vehicles over 21 ft beyond this point on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Fish Creek has a small beach and picnic area accessible to day visitors (no camping without reservation). It's a quieter alternative to Apgar with a lake shore picnic area. Walk or cycle to Apgar Village to catch the shuttle.
A small pull-off lot along Lake McDonald's eastern shore, midway between the Lodge and Avalanche Creek. Popular for shoreline access and photography. Fills quickly and has no shuttle stop. Best for a short visit before 9 am.
Free NPS Shuttle Routes
The park's free shuttle system (late June–Labor Day) is the most underused resource in Glacier. Running every 15–30 minutes at peak times, it connects the main lots to every major trailhead and viewpoint along Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Shuttles are free and run approximately every 15–30 minutes during peak season. No reservations needed — just show up at any stop. Bikes are allowed on shuttles with available rack space (first come, first served). Check current schedules at the Apgar Visitor Center or on the NPS Glacier app.
Parking Tips by Arrival Time
- Before 8 am: All lots available. Best time to drive the full Going-to-the-Sun Road before crowds.
- 8–10 am: Apgar has space; Avalanche Creek fills fast. Lodge is fine for day visitors.
- 10 am – 2 pm: Peak congestion. Park at Apgar, use the shuttle. Avoid driving to Avalanche Creek directly.
- After 4 pm: Lots open up as day-trippers leave. Good window for afternoon hikes and sunset shots.
Peak season vehicle permits: During summer peak season, a timed-entry vehicle permit is required on Going-to-the-Sun Road from 7 am–3 pm (Apgar to St. Mary). Book early at recreation.gov. Permit guide →
