Riding here
Glacier's star ride is Going-to-the-Sun Road in spring, when plows are still clearing the high section and the road is open to hikers and bikers but not cars. Riders climb toward Logan Pass between snowbanks and waterfalls with the valley to themselves. In summer the road reopens to traffic and bikes are barred from key sections in the afternoon. Around Apgar, short paved paths make easy family rides.
Where you can ride
Bikes may use all paved and unpaved park roads unless posted, plus four multi-use trails: the Fish Creek Bike Path (Grist Road to Fish Creek), the paved path from Park Headquarters to Apgar Village, the Old Flathead Ranger Station trail via Quarter Circle Bridge Road, and the Inside North Fork Road from Camas Creek to Logging Creek.
Where you can't
Bikes are not allowed on hiking trails or in the backcountry. There are no mountain bike trails in the park; the Flathead National Forest nearby has them.
Rides
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Going-to-the-Sun Road: Lake McDonald Lodge to Logan Pass
- Road
- 21 mi one way
- 3,427 ft climbing
- Paved
- Hard
The classic west-side climb up the Garden Wall to the Continental Divide. In spring you may only get as far as the current closure point.
Start: Lake McDonald Lodge
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Going-to-the-Sun Road: Rising Sun to Logan Pass
- Road
- 11.5 mi one way
- 2,313 ft climbing
- Paved
- Hard
The shorter, steadier east-side approach above St. Mary Lake.
Start: Rising Sun
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Apgar Bike Path
- Paved path
- Park Headquarters to Apgar Village
- Paved
- Easy
A short, flat paved path to Apgar Village and the foot of Lake McDonald. Good with kids.
Start: West Glacier / Park Headquarters
-
Fish Creek Bike Path
- Paved path
- Grist Road to Fish Creek
- Paved
- Easy
A quiet multi-use path through forest along the west end of Lake McDonald.
Start: Apgar
Car-free riding
During spring plowing (roughly April to June), sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road closed to cars are open to hikers and bikers. Road-crew closures apply Monday to Thursday, avalanche closures apply at all times, and closure points are set weekly on Thursdays. Ignoring closures can bring fines of up to $5,000 and six months in jail.
Shuttles and bikes
The park says shuttles will not run in 2026.
When to go
Late April to mid-June is hiker-biker season on Going-to-the-Sun Road as plowing advances. July to September is full summer, with afternoon bike restrictions on the road.
Closures and restrictions
Peak season (through September 27 in 2026): no bikes eastbound from Apgar to Logan Pass from 12 pm to 6 pm, and none westbound from Logan Pass to Apgar from 3 pm to 6 pm.
Safety
No roads have bike lanes or shoulders. Carry bear spray; stay 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals. Use lights in low visibility. Descents are cold, and hypothermia is common: bring warm layers. Pull over when four or more cars stack up behind you.
E-bikes
E-bikes are allowed if the motor is under 750 watts and only assists while you pedal.
Fees and reservations
Arriving by bike, you pay the park's individual (per-person) entrance fee, normally valid for 7 days, or ride in on an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Amounts change, so check the park's Fees & Passes page. From 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person at this park unless covered by a pass (the non-resident America the Beautiful pass is $250).
Glacier has used vehicle reservations for Going-to-the-Sun Road in recent summers. The bicycling page doesn't address cyclists, so check the park's vehicle reservation page.
Rentals, tours and shuttles
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Your bike shop hereSample listing
This spot is for one rental shop, guide service or shuttle near Glacier: your name, what you offer, and a link straight to your booking page, at the top of this section.
Feature your shop on this page, free until spring 2027
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Glacier Guides & Montana Raft
Bike and e-bike rental, May to September, with a shuttle into the park in spring, West Glacier, MT. Website
Shops listed without a badge are businesses we found near the park; we don't take payment for those. Run a shop near Glacier? Add it here.
Sources
Checked November 2026 against these sources. Rules, closures and fees change; confirm with the park before you ride.
Edited by David Bussell. Spot something out of date? Tell us.