Glacier National Park 2026 Guide: Navigating Airport Construction & East Side Access

The Going-to-the-Sun Road - Glacier National Park - Montana

Planning a trip to Glacier National Park for the summer of 2026 is an exciting endeavor. As always, there’s infrastructure projects that may affect your travel plans and park access. We’ve compiled key information below on navigating both airport and in-park construction, along with helpful suggestions to make the most of your time on the east side of Glacier.

A Quick Note on Accommodations:

For those of you planning to stay with us, online reservations for the Park Cabin Company will be opening for the 2026 season on September 1st of this year at 8 AM MT. There will be a three night minimum required to book and reservations will not be permitted to start or end on Tuesdays to provide time off for our staff each week.

Airport Construction and Alternatives:

When considering your travel plans, it's important to be aware of a planned runway project at Glacier International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell. The airport will be undergoing a critical runway rehabilitation that will impact operations during an already busy window of the summer. They will be enacting a rolling closure schedule for four consecutive weeks in July 2026. This means that from approximately July 6 to July 31, the airport will be closed to aircraft from Monday evening to Friday morning. If your travel plans fall within this period, you may want to consider one of the alternative airport options listed below.

Calgary International Airport (YYC): Located about a 3-hour drive north of the park's St. Mary entrance, Calgary is a great choice with a wider range of flight options. Remember to have your proper documentation for crossing the international border and to be aware of any rental car regulations.

Missoula International Airport (MSO): Situated about a 2.5-hour drive south of the park's West Entrance, Missoula offers a beautiful drive along Flathead Lake. The trip from Missoula to the East Side takes about 4 to 5 hours.

Great Falls International Airport (GTF): For those heading directly to the East Side, Great Falls is an excellent option, as it is just a 2.5-hour drive to the St. Mary entrance.

Spokane International Airport (GEG): While a longer drive at 5 to 6 hours, Spokane provides a major airport hub. From Spokane, you can drive or take the Amtrak "Empire Builder" train, which has a stop near the East Glacier Park Village.

East Side Guidance:

Here’s what to keep in mind regarding your time on the east side of the park. After extensive maintenance is concluded in mid-May 2026, the Swiftcurrent area in the Many Glacier Valley will once again be accessible for the summer season. As with recent years, you’ll likely need a vehicle reservation to access Many Glacier between certain hours but NPS has yet to confirm any 2026 requirements. A helpful exception applies when you have a confirmed reservation with a park concessionaire in Many Glacier, such as with Glacier Park Boat Company or Swan Mountain Outfitters. That reservation will serve as your entry ticket for your vehicle and an additional vehicle reservation will not be required. Demand for these tours are high and we recommend securing a reservation with them as soon as your itinerary is set.

Other infrastructure updates are planned for locations like Two Medicine. While details for 2026 are still emerging, it is always a good practice to check the official National Park Service website for the most current alerts and closures before your trip. Follow along with @glaciernps on social media to learn the details of next year’s reservation requirements when they are announced.