Glacier National Park Shuttle in 2026 + Tips & FAQs

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Planning on using the Glacier National Park shuttle to get around Glacier National Park?

One of the best things that Glacier has done within the past few years is add its shuttle system. Since the park has become so popular over the past few years, this has been a great solution for overcrowded parking lots–I wish this had been around a lot sooner when I spent summers in the park with my family!

I actually only started using the shuttle last year when Daniel and I got reservations for Granite Park Chalet. We knew there was no possible way we would get parking at Logan Pass when we planned on starting out on the Highline, so we knew we would have to use the shuttle.

And it was amazing! Not only did it solve our parking problem completely, but it was straightforward and we got to meet some shuttle drivers who knew a ton of great information on the park. It’s now become our go-to method of getting around the park and to the trailheads.

I always recommend that visitors consider the Glacier National park shuttle and using this service instead of taking their own car into the park if they can. Not only does it mean that you don’t have to get a ticketed entry for Going-to-the-Sun Road, but you also don’t have to worry about finding parking in crowded Logan Pass.

In summary: This article goes over how the shuttle system in Glacier National Park works, as well as which stops are included in the service, and any questions you might have?

Quick tip: Knowing the different types of shuttles beforehand can make it a lot easier to know which ones to get on. If you are confused, don’t be afraid to ask the shuttle drivers–they’ll direct you to the right one!

How the Glacier National Park shuttle works

The Glacier National Park shuttle system allows you to stop at most of the major areas within the park without having to drive or take your own car along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Parking within Glacier can be a nightmare, and you will often have to get up ridiculously early in order to get a spot at the best hikes in Glacier National Park.

I personally use the shuttle myself all the time, especially on backpacking trips. Not only does it allow me to not worry about leaving my car in the park overnight, but sometimes I don’t always want to get up to the park at 5:00 am in order to get parking.

Shuttle service starts July 1st once the Going-to-the-Sun Road is officially open. The shuttle is first-come, first-serve.

Keep in mind that the last shuttle leaves Logan Pass at 7:00 pm MST, so if you are hiking late, you will need to plan your trip accordingly.

Hikers will need to plan their trip accordingly since the shuttle might not stop at their chosen trailheads. It will stop at the most popular options–but maybe not the lesser-known gems!

Glacier National Park shuttle stops

Types of Glacier National Park shuttles

There are a few options for shuttles during summer season and limited service during the fall. You will want to know which ones are best for you and your needs so that you end up in the right place at the right time.

Personally, I find it a little confusing. However, there is always a ranger or two at the Apgar Transit Center in the summer who can direct you to the right shuttle you want to be on for your stops.

Hiker-biker shuttle

Before Going-to-the-Sun Road opens for cars in the summer season, it also has a shuttle to help bikers during a short window of time where just hikers and bikers can enjoy the road. It is available only on weekends from May 13 until June 26 or until the day the Going-to-the-Sun Road is completely open, depending on which occurs first.

If you have your own bike and you don’t plan on taking a tour, this can be a great option for you since it will drop you right off at Avalanche Creek to start your bike up.

Express shuttle

This shuttle is for those looking to get directly from Apgar Visitor Center to Logan Pass on the West Side of the Park, and St. Mary Visitor Center to Logan Pass on the East Side. The express shuttles are small and can only accommodate up to 15 people.

• West Side: First shuttles leave Apgar Visitor Center at 7:00 am, and the last shuttle departs at 8:30 am. You can expect shuttles to arrive every 15 to 30 minutes.
• East Side: First shuttles leave St. Mary at 8:00 am, and the last shuttle departs at 8:45 am. You can expect shuttles to arrive every 15 to 30 minutes.

Full shuttle

This shuttle offers service to several trailheads and includes the stops I mentioned above. This shuttle goes through the entirety of the park. However, if you intend to do so, you will need to transfer at Avalanche Creek, Logan Pass, and Sun Point.

Here’s how you can travel travel from one side of the West Side of the park to the East Side:

• The shuttle service between Apgar Visitor Center and Avalanche Creek operates about every 15 to 30 minutes. The estimated travel duration is 45 minutes on board a 28-seater bus.
• Between Avalanche Creek to Logan Pass, the shuttles run in intervals of approximately 15 to 30 minutes. This leg of the journey takes around 50 minutes on smaller 12 to 15-seater Sprinter buses.
• The shuttle service between Logan Pass and Sun Point arrive roughly every 15 to 30 minutes. The estimated travel time for this stage is about 30 minutes, using the same 12 to 15-passenger Sprinter buses.
• Shuttles between Sun Point and St. Mary Visitor Center operate about every 15 to 30 minutes. This last leg of the journey is expected to take about 20 minutes on a 28-passenger bus.

Likewise, you can make this journey in reverse if you are coming from the East Side.

The last shuttle leaving from Apgar Visitor Center to St. Mary leaves at 4:15 pm. From the other side, the last shuttle to leave from St. Mary to Apgar Visitor Center departs at 5:30 pm.

If there needs to be additional departures to pick up remaining passengers, then a shuttle will return to do so.

Quick tip: If you can, I recommend getting on the shuttle before the last one. This will guarantee that you get back to your car. While they are great about picking up remaining hikers, better to be safe than sorry!

Fall reduced service

The shuttle service is reduced during the fall months. This typically starts the day after Labor Day and will continue for two weeks. After that, the shuttle service is finished for the year.

No express shuttle is available during this time.

Shuttles are scheduled to arrive roughly every 40 minutes for the route between Apgar Visitor Center and Avalanche Creek. The frequency increases for the stretch between Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass, with shuttles arriving approximately every 15 minutes. For the route between St. Mary Visitor Center and Logan Pass, you can expect a shuttle about every 25 minutes.

Here are the last departures during the fall reduced service period:

• The final shuttle leaving Logan Pass for Apgar Visitor Center departs at 5:00 pm.
• The last shuttle from Logan Pass to St. Mary Visitor Center also leaves at 5:00 pm.
• The last service from The Loop headed for Logan Pass takes off at 4:20 pm.

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Conclusion

I highly recommend using the Glacier National Park shuttle system on your trip–especially if you are worried about the parking situation at some of the trailheads or at Logan Pass. Not only does it guarantee that you will get to see what you want, but you also don’t have to deal with driving Going-to-the-Sun Road, either.

Personally, I’ve enjoyed letting someone else take the reins and make the trip. Not only does it take some of the stress of planning off my plate, but it also allows me to enjoy the views along the way versus focusing on my driving!

Are you considering taking the Glacier National Park shuttle on your trip? If you have any questions, let me know in the comments!