May is the best month to ride Going-to-the-Sun Road without cars. The lower road near West Glacier is open, the alpine section is still being plowed, and the miles above the vehicle closure belong to walkers and riders. Expect cool, often rainy days and snow higher up. In recent years the road over Logan Pass has not opened to cars until mid June or later.
Updated October 22, 2026. Conditions change: check nps.gov before you ride.
Three quarters of our online bookings land between April and June, and May is the busiest month. Here is what the park looks like before summer.
The Road In May
Going-to-the-Sun Road is open all year near the West Entrance. In May the plows are working up the alpine section, and the park opens the road above the vehicle closure to people on foot and on bikes. The closure point moves. The park sets the hiker-biker closure locations each Thursday, keeps riders behind the road crews Monday through Thursday while they plow, and keeps the avalanche hazard closures in place at all times. Nobody may pass a closure; the park warns of a fine of up to $5,000.
In the park’s own list of opening dates, Logan Pass opened to cars in May in 22 years, most recently in 2005, but from 2016 through 2022 it opened between June 16 and July 13. Plan on a May visit being a car-free ride, not a drive over the pass.
The Ride
Start at the vehicle closure, usually at Lake McDonald Lodge or Avalanche Creek, and ride up as far as the hiker-biker closure allows. From the Lake McDonald Lodge closure it is 5.5 miles to Avalanche Creek, 12.7 to the West Tunnel, 13.3 to the Loop and 21 miles with 3,427 feet of climbing to Logan Pass. On an e-bike the climb is a pleasure instead of a test. The park ran no hiker-biker shuttles in 2026, so what you ride up, you ride down. Our Sun Road biking guide has the mile markers, parking and packing list.
The Weather
The park says rainy days and cooler temperatures are common in spring, snow can fall at any time of year, and it is 10 to 15 degrees cooler at elevation than in the valley. Bring a rain shell, gloves and a warm layer even on a sunny morning.
Everything Else
No vehicle reservations were required anywhere in the park in 2026. Logan Pass and its visitor center are still closed to cars. Check the park’s pages for campground opening dates. Check the park’s road status the night before, and our status page for the park’s current alert and our reports from the road.
Book It
May is our busiest month for online bookings, so reserve early. Rent an e-bike for Glacier: reserve online, pay at pickup, cancel anytime. Read June if your dates run later.