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Glacier Hikes & Bikes
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A cyclist climbing Going-to-the-Sun Road in spring with no cars on the road

Spring in Glacier

The plows go up, the cars stay down, and for a few weeks Going-to-the-Sun Road belongs to bikes. April through June from our shop in Columbia Falls.

Spring is the season this business was built for. Once the plows pass Avalanche Creek, the road above the vehicle closure opens to hikers and bikers only, and the closure point climbs the mountain week by week until the full road opens to cars, which has happened between June 13 and July 2 in the last three years.

Down low, the lower trails melt out in late April and May while the high country stays snowbound into July, so spring is for the valley lakes, the river corridors and the road. Up high, the ride ends at a wall of snow and a view.

What Happens in Spring

  • The hiker-biker closure moves up Going-to-the-Sun Road in stages; the park sets it each Thursday and posts it on its road status page.
  • Monday through Thursday, road crews close sections while they plow; when crews are not working you may ride to the avalanche hazard closure.
  • Lower trails open in late April and early May; higher trails such as Highline and Grinnell Glacier usually stay closed into July.
  • The full road has opened to cars on July 2 in 2023, June 22 in 2024 and June 13 in 2025.
  • In 2026 the park ran no hiker-biker shuttle of its own, so the ride to the trailhead is ours.
  • Mornings start near freezing at the top and the descent is wet with snowmelt, so dress for winter on the way down.

What Runs in Spring

Good to Know

When does the car-free riding start?
When the plows pass Avalanche Creek, usually in April or May. The road status page shows the current closure point; the farther up it sits, the longer the ride.
When does Going-to-the-Sun Road open to cars?
No set date. The park says late June at the earliest; it opened June 13 in 2025, June 22 in 2024 and July 2 in 2023. Our guide to when the road opens follows the plowing each spring.
Can I hike in spring?
Yes, low. Lake McDonald, the river trails and the Flathead National Forest valleys melt out first. Our guided day hikes stay in the forest, where the snow leaves earlier than it does at Logan Pass.
What should I bring in spring?
Layers for two seasons: a shell and a warm layer for the descent, gloves, a hat under the helmet, food and water for the whole day, and your park pass. There are no services above Apgar in spring.

Read Before You Come

Your Next Ride Starts Here

Pick a date and see everything you can book, or call the shop and talk to someone who rides these roads every week.

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