Glacier National Park

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Glacier reopens under new conditions

Glacier National Park increased recreational access and services on a limited basis on June 8.

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, Glacier National Park is increasing recreational access and services on a limited basis. The park has been closed to visitors since March 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This limited opening approach will allow the park to continue coordinating with the Blackfeet Tribe while they maintain restrictions through June 30, help the park and internal business partners improve and refine mitigation actions with lighter levels of visitation, and allow for an assessment of how returning visitors affect COVID-19 curves within surrounding gateway communities.

“We understand the economic

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importance that Glacier has to our gateway communities,” said park superintendent Jeff Mow. “Our goal is to gradually provide visitor access and to mitigate for and respond quickly to any new infections should they occur.”

The park’s reopening priorities center on protecting the public and employees from transmission risks through a variety of mitigation actions consistent with local, state, tribal and federal guidance. The park will actively monitor changing conditions (in the park and in surrounding counties) and will maintain flexibility to expand, adjust or contract operations as conditions warrant.

The park has developed a range of mitigation actions that include: providing protective barriers where needed, encouraging the use of masks or facial coverings when social distancing cannot be maintained, increasing cleaning frequency of facilities, adding signage on boardwalks and other public spaces, and messaging to visitors through a variety of methods.

On Monday, June 8 the west gate entrance was opened at West Glacier. The gate will be open until 4:30 p.m. each day until operations are extended. Visitors will be able to access Apgar and Going-to-the-Sun Road as far as Lake

“Our goal is to gradually provide visitor access and to mitigate for and respond quickly to any new infections should they occur.”

- JEFF MOW, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT

McDonald Lodge.

Going-to-the-Sun will open to hiker/ biker traffic as conditions allow. Visitors should check the park website for updates. Visitors will be able to access restrooms and trails that are accessible from open park roads.

Private businesses in Apgar Village may decide to operate. The park is targeting to have personal boating on Lake McDonald and aquatic invasive species inspection stations open. Check the park website for updates.

What will remain closed until later phases of the plan? East entrances from the Blackfeet Reservation will remain closed. The park is consulting with the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council to establish reopening dates for entrances from the reservation. Visitor centers and ranger stations will remain closed until later in the season. Overnight accommodations will be unavailable until later in the season. Campgrounds, backcountry permits, additional stores, expanded tours and takeout food service will remain closed. These services and/ or facilities will open when safe and appropriate mitigation measures are in place.

Hotels, full-service dining, commercial tour buses, and ranger programs will remain closed. These services and/or facilities will reopen when health conditions allow.

Visitor transportation service (shuttles) will not be offered this season due to social distancing requirements in according with the Centers for Disease Control guidance on transit. Visitors should come prepared and follow all CDC and local health guidance by practicing good hygiene and social distancing. Face coverings are recommended where social distancing is not possible. People who are sick should stay home and not visit the park. The CDC has provided specific guidance on visiting parks and recreational facilities.

“We are excited to have visitors return to Glacier National Park, but it’s important that our visitors help us prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing from fellow visitors and our employees,” said Mow. “We all have a role to play in protecting our families and friends.”

Previously-scheduled road construction projects on both sides of the park will continue in the spring and summer. Many areas of the park are still experiencing winter conditions and plowing is in progress on Goingto-the-Sun Road. As in previous years, Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass is expected to open in late June.

The park will provide details and updates for operations as they change on https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm and on the park’s social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

The park’s phased reopening plans will align with Montana as the state adjusts to certain COVID-19 restrictions. This plan articulates the phased reopening sequence that is focused on protecting the park employees, volunteers, partners and the public. Visitor service operations will start conservatively and will expand if conditions allow. There will be fewer staff and services available in the park in 2020.

The decision to reopen the park is largely based on the recommendations provided by Flathead and Glacier County health officers, the Blackfeet Nation, and the State of Montana.

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These professionals understand the transboundary nature of visitors traveling to Glacier and are best positioned to understand local and regional health concerns.

The park has had and continues to hold discussions with business leaders, stakeholders, and internal business partners. The park listened to these perspectives and considered them when developing this phased approach. While the timing of the park’s temporary closure occurred during the shoulder season, the economic stress and impacts associated with the closure are continuing to grow substantially as the summer months approach. While these economic stressors do not override health concerns, they are being considered. The park’s goal is to reopen safely, minimize risks to visitors and employees, allow visitor access Glacier and help restart local economies.

In general, the park’s reopening will follow three flexible phases. Phase one allowed vehicle access to some of the park roads with no services other than restrooms. In phase two, some visitor services and facilities opened if they were staffed and operated safely. Going-tothe-Sun Road over Logan Pass will open during phase two. Elements in phase three will not be implemented until the park and its partners have had time to evaluate the impacts from opening operations and facilities outlined in phases one and two and it is deemed safe to open additional services and facilities. Phase three will require additional staffing for the National Park Service and park partners, which means associated risks will need to be assessed.

Implementation Timing

During the park closure, the park superintendent has worked closely with the Montana state governor’s office to determine the proper timing for reopening based on COVID-19 conditions in Montana. As an iconic unit of the national park system, Glacier serves a worldwide audience. Once open, the park will attract large numbers of visitors from outside the area to our local communities.

Reopening Priorities

The goal is to protect employees and the public from COVID-19 transmission risks by implementing mitigation actions consistent with local, state and federal health guidelines; to develop consistent operating plans (NPS and partners) that focus on safe reopening

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actions; actively monitor changing conditions (in park and out) and adjust operations accordingly; and ensure flexibility to expand or adjust operations depending on conditions and risk factors. Additionally, the goal is to support local communities and partners.

Visitor Messaging

Visitors will be advised to prepare for limited food services, lodging and activities prior to traveling. Visitors who are sick should not visit the park. Use of face coverings will be voluntary, but visitors will be encouraged to wear appropriate facial protection during their visit. Visitors will be asked to adhere to CDC and local health guidance regarding social distancing and other actions designed to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Visitor services are very limited. Expect

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wait times at the park entrances and parking lots. Wear face-coverings in high-visitation areas and inside visitor facilities. A reduced number of visitors will be allowed in visitor centers at a given time. Maintain social distancing of six feet, especially in high-visitation areas (in visitor facilities, on popular trails, while viewing wildlife, etc.). Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Avoid touching your face. If you are sick, do not visit the park and self-isolate to avoid exposing others.

Summary of Mitigation Actions

A range of mitigation measures both indoor and outdoor will be implemented throughout the park to protect both visitors and employees. Public indoor facilities will not open until proper risk assessments have been conducted and mitigation measures have been developed and implemented (e.g., protective barriers, facial coverings, metering visitors, increased cleaning frequency, signage with CDC and local health guidelines).

The park is evaluating high congestion areas to determine appropriate management and mitigation measures (e.g., additional signage, parking considerations, one-way traffic on trails, and visitor spacing at public restrooms).

The park may also limit the number of vehicles and/or people entering high congestion areas.

Backcountry Permits

All backcountry camping advance permit reservations have been canceled for the season. When Glacier can safely provide backcountry experiences including trail maintenance and open backcountry campsites, the park will issue first-come, first-served, walkin backcountry camping permits as conditions allow.

Limited Visitor Centers and Ranger Stations

Once proper mitigation measures have been implemented, select visitor centers and ranger stations may begin to open. Prior to opening, park staff may utilize protective barriers at information stations, control access, and increase cleaning frequency. Visitors will be encouraged to wear appropriate facial covering when entering buildings to protect themselves and others.

Limited Personal Boating

The park will open personal boating on Lake McDonald as part of phase two. Aquatic invasive species inspection stations will be operational in Apgar.

Lodging and On-the-Go Food Service

Glacier National Park Lodges will gradually open all five lodges across the

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park. On-the-go food service will be offered during phases two and three. Lobby access to buildings will be allowed for overnight guests only. The park is working with individual commercial visitor service operators to ensure appropriate COVID-19 mitigation measures are in place.

Surveillance/Monitoring

The NPS will continue working with state and local health officials and the Blackfeet Nation to share information regarding COVID-19 infection rates, hospital and testing capacity, monitoring actions, and the ability to isolate infected employees. The park is also preparing response protocols for visitors who test positive for the virus.

The park is working with public health officials in Flathead and Glacier counties to expand testing and surveillance capacity.

Contingency Planning

Should states, counties, or the Blackfeet Nation reinstate major health restrictions due to unacceptably high COVID-19 infection rates, the park is prepared to scale back facilities and operations as necessary, in conjunction with these restrictions. The detection of community spread within the park will trigger the closure of facilities and potentially affected geographic areas.

News, photos from Glacier National Park