Glacier National Park's Going to the Sun Road- Plowing and Off-season. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

This Sun Road video is different than my others. It answers questions I've received in the comment section. The road is only FULLY open a few months a year and then its so crowded, it's hard to enjoy it. So more of you are interested in visiting the park in the off-season.
This video shows the massive and dangerous process of clearing up to 80 feet of snow that blankets the road each winter. And I discuss how the road is opened in stages.
I tell you how to find how much of the road you can drive- even when it's not fully open- and how to find hiking trails in those sections.

[@justinmcquaide4862]

Absolutely brilliant video such a great help I’m travelling to America in May next year and I’d love to check out east glacier after I leave Yellowstone. I can’t wait !

[@TheWestisBig]

Glad it was helpful! and thanks for the comment!

[@justinmcquaide4862]

@@TheWestisBig No problem I’m travelling from Ireland in May next year I’m so excited lol

[@TheWestisBig]

it’ll be a great trip! I hope you have great weather.

[@justinmcquaide4862]

@@TheWestisBig yeah fingers crossed

[@sunshinebmk3376]

Thank you! So many videos are about the "on-season" time and not many about the "off-season" especially in May/early June. Thank you so much for your videos!

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks! Fyi- my long form Sun Road video had much more detail about the trails you do have access to and lots of other stuff

[@brandonsieber1335]

I'm hoping to go this August. Been on my bucket list for years, I'm from Indiana, it's nice to get away from corn atleast one day a year.

[@TheWestisBig]

great- my channel has several helpful videos for first timers. The 2hr Glacier:The Hiker’s National Park will be useful.

[@HoodSwami]

I’ll be there from June 9th to 13th. I just hope they can finish in time because I was really looking forward to the grinnell glacier and hidden lake trails

[@TheWestisBig]

The west side plow crew reached Logan Pass a couple of days ago. Should be open to there soon. Grinnel Glacier trail may be too dangerous ie snow covered. good luck. I assume you e seen my Grinnell Glacier hike segment in my 2hr glacier video- if not check it out

[@joeclifton-eo5xk]

Thanks for the video. We’ve gone twice now, both times in June. We specifically go then to be able to ride bikes up the road before it is open to cars. It is an unbelievable experience.

[@TheWestisBig]

Hmm i might have to do a video on that

[@joeclifton-eo5xk]

@@TheWestisBig you can even rent an e-bike for it. It’s incredible.

[@RealEstateInvestingForDummies]

Thank you!

[@TheWestisBig]

you’re welcome

[@SamanthaCrane]

Thanks so much! We are leaving from Georgia next week and hope to be out there around June 1. It's good to see a video of the early spring rather than in season.

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks. fyi- watch my “what u need to know” and most recent Sun Road videos much them were shot in early june last year

[@SamanthaCrane]

@@TheWestisBig good to know! Thanks again!

[@elainecook6947]

a group of 10 plan to leave Alabama Wednesday morning to head that way. fly into Jackson Hole for a day. then on to grand tetons 3 days then on to yellowstone for 3 days. any advice on weather conditions?

[@SamanthaCrane]

@@elainecook6947 I don’t think this question was for me, but we were in Jackson, Tetons, and Yellowstone in May of 2021 and the weather was really cool. It snowed on us a few times. I would pack layers for if you get hot or cold. And don’t forget to hike behind Grand Prismatic Spring to see the overhead view. We missed it when we were there.

[@TheWestisBig]

Check local tv weather streams often

[@CoryTheRaven]

I've never bothered to go off-season, but that might be the time to actually get into Many Glacier 😆

[@TheWestisBig]

I went early last June most of the trails in Many Glacier were snow covered and closed. Still a nice place

[@lesliebright3860]

I’ve been keeping an eye on the plowing status map, and it does look like they’re making great progress. We’ll be on the park in mid-June, and as we’ll be camping in Many Glacier, I’m hoping to make it to Logan from the east side… fingers crossed!

[@TheWestisBig]

I assume you’ve seen my videos that include lots of Many Glacier trails and activities- it’ll help your trip. - fyi the grinnell glacier trail is currently closed about 1/2 way up. it’s my fave trail

[@lesliebright3860]

@@TheWestisBig yes, your videos have been exceptional… it was 30 years ago when I was last there, so it’ll be like-new for me. As the wife isn’t a big hiker, we’ll be okay regarding trails, we’ll have to stick to shorter easier ones. (However, I am hoping this trip might inspire her to become more interested in hiking, and perhaps her interest in hiking on future trips will be better.)

[@TheWestisBig]

Make her at least walk out to the ledge of the highline- that will convince her

[@dmerth]

This is just the video I needed. Such good news about near record low snow fall. I will be there from July 4 to July 9. Any predictions you can give on Grinnell Glacier Trail being fully open by then? I won't hold you responsible if you're wrong, I promise LOL! Thanks again for the awesome videos. All should like and subscribe.

[@TheWestisBig]

Don’t know. i did get a text a couple days ago about that trail. it’s closed now 2.5 miles from the parking area. sometime soon the park should post the Trail Status page- it usually includes last years opening dates

[@onawire]

Great video ! So if there is a section of the road closed, I'm guessing you have to turn around somehow and go back ?

[@TheWestisBig]

Uh Yeah. You can't drive through the gates, you must turn around.

[@MarkH163]

Thank you, Steve. Another great, and timely, video! Any progress on the video recording in National Parks situation being resolved?

[@TheWestisBig]

Hi Mark, regarding the filming permits- I spoke with the Ranger in charge of permits for Arches and Canyonlands NPs. He said he will not require me to have a filming permit. He said didnt have the time to process the applications he was getting. He questioned at length- he seemed to like that I keep a low profile in the park and never went in prohibited areas and encourage proper behavior in the park. The Glacier NP permit guy won’t return my calls or emails anymore. I assume he doesn’t want to deal with the issue either. I’ve tried to get several news outlets to do a story - but have had no luck. btw- i’ve watching your vids. I really like the style and flow. Im thinking about trying to do something similar in Dallas - but it’s not as pretty as the places you go.

[@MarkH163]

@@TheWestisBig Thank you, I appreciate the input.

[@elizabethgordh698]

I would like to know what if any the Senior Pass does for getting into Glacier..I have used it over the years and have gotten into National Park free..but now I wonder how it applies to Glac..Thank you for any info on this question..love your great informative videos 😊

[@TheWestisBig]

A valid park pass is needed to enter the park. But this year a vehicle reservation is also needed during busy hours. Please check the park website for official info

[@bbkb]

Great video. We will be at the west side of park in mid July for 4 days. We will have to be up early to make it to the east side entrance for the road. How long does it take to drive around to the east side? I hear a wide variety of times from 45 min to 2 hours.

[@TheWestisBig]

Last June I drove from Hungry Horse to st. Mary several mornings. It took a little over an hour- to get to East glacier where I had to shoot some stuff. Takes another 45 minutes to get to St, Mary- BUT- there is constuction this year on WY 2 and on 89- the Montana DOT says it may take another 30 minutes. Last year the 89 construction only cost me about 5 minutes on the return trip.

[@alvaroquijano579]

is the last week of september a bad momento to visit? worried about wildfires or road closings

[@TheWestisBig]

that’s a good time to go as long as you don’t need the hiker shuttle or red buses- their shut down by the. The roads shouldn’t be closed- unless there is construction. Fires are more likely then and they are unpredictable.

[@MoneyTrees1998]

How crowded does glacier national park get in general? Is it a lot better now with the reservation system?

[@TheWestisBig]

It's damn Crowded- the Res system helps- check the park website for details- this year no one is allowed to drive the Sun road from the west entrance before 6am- this will reduce crowds