Glacier National Park - Backcountry Use Permit

If you intend on getting out on an oveernight backpacking trip in Glacier National Park, you should know that a Back Country Use Permit is required for all overnight camping, and must be in your possession while in the backcountry.

You can obtain a permit at any one of the following issuing stations:

• Apgar Backcountry Permit Center
(open daily from May 1 through October 31) Permits will only be issued up to ½ hour before the center closes.
..When the Apgar Backcountry Permit Center has closed for the season permits are available at Park Headquarters on weekdays and at the Apgar Visitor Center on weekends.
• St. Mary Visitor Center
(open daily from late May to mid-September)
• Many Glacier and Two Medicine Ranger Stations
..(open daily from late May to mid-September)
• Polebridge Ranger Station
(open daily from early June through mid-September)
• Waterton Lakes National Park Visitor Reception Centre
(open daily from early June through mid-September) accepts
payment by credit card only (no cash). Waterton staff are only authorized to issue trips that start at Chief Mt. or Goat Haunt.

FEES:
The following per person per night fees are charged on permits issued between June 1 and October 31
• Age 16 and over.................. $5.00
• Age 8 through 15................ $2.50
• Age 7 and under..................... free
• Golden Age &
Golden Access cardholders... $2.50
• Season Pass........................ $60.00*
*Valid for one year from date of issue, and covers per night camping fees for the person named on the pass. It does not cover advance reservation fees.

Reservation Fees
Backcountry trips starting between June 15 and October 31 may be reserved in advance. A non-refundable processing fee of $30.00 per trip is charged. Per person/per night fees will be charged when you obtain your permit.
No reservation fee is charged for walkin permits, obtained less than one day prior to the start of the trip, however per person per night fees are charged.

Advance Reservations
Advance reservations (requests made more than one day prior to
the start of the trip) may be requested for any of Glacier’s backcountry
campgrounds. Advance reservation applications are accepted
for trips that begin June 15 through October 31.

Application Procedures
To ensure that your application arrives after the Permit Office has
been staffed for the summer season, it is recommended that you
wait until April 1 to submit your application. Glacier National Park
staff will begin processing application requests on Wednesday,
April 16. All applications received on or before April 15 will be randomly
sorted before processing begins. Applications received after
April 15 will be processed in the order they are received. Applications
may only be submitted via mail or FAX (406-888-5819).
Please allow one month for processing of your permit request.

Applications will be accepted on the official form only. Additional
copies are available by mail or on the park website.

NEW THIS YEAR! You may submit two trip requests on one application.
Each trip request still requires a $30.00 processing fee.
There is a maximum of two trip requests per application. If you
submit more than one application cross reference your dates, so
you do not end up with overlapping trips.

Advance Reservation Campground Opening Dates
Due to unpredictable campground opening dates, each campground
has an “earliest available date” that applies to advance reservation
itineraries. In a typical summer the
opening dates specified represent the time of year the campground
is snow free and available for backcountry campers. If backcountry
campgrounds emerge from snow-cover early, these campgrounds
are placed in an “open” status prior to the specified dates , and are
made available on both a walk-in and reservation basis. In some
years there is more snow than usual and campgrounds may not
open by the dates listed or reserved. In those cases, reserved itineraries
will be modified when you pick up your permit at a permit
issuing station.

Advance Reservation Changes
Requests to change confirmed advance reservations will not be
accepted via phone. You have the following options:
• Call and cancel your reservation (406-888-7900) and submit a new application. You will be charged a $30 fee for any successive advance reservation processed.
• Try to change your itinerary in person, the day before, or morning of, your start date. There is no charge for changing a permit itinerary up to 24 hours prior to permit issuance.
Refund/Cancellation Policies
We do not offer refunds for advance reservation application fees.
It is a processing fee and covers time and materials involved in the
reservation process.
If your plans change and you cannot use any, or part, of your backcountry permit or reservation, you are encouraged to call (406-888-7900) to cancel your trip. A refund will not be provided, but you will allow other campers access to those sites.

This information and more available here:
Glacier National Park Back Country Guide

...and you can get even more information at the
National Park Service Website for Glacier.



Don't forget to check out www.GlacierAdventure.com for all your vacation plans. And listen to Glacier Adventures on Whitefish Radio to hear whats going on out here in the Flathead Valley.

If you are thinking about going out into the back country, don't be afraid to call the park, ask questions, and research your trip. A back country trip in GNP is one you will never forget.


See you on the trail.


-jay



jay(at)GlacierAdventure.com


Back Country Guide and Application available HERE!!



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