Glacier Park Access for People with Special Needs

Glacier park is a beautiful place for everyone to see. For many visitors a visit to the park is easily accomplished, but for people with special needs the park visit takes more planning. A good place to start if you are planning a trip is Glacier Headquarters at (406) 888-7800.

The park is open year round. The pass opens during the summer season usually mid June through September. Most hotel, restaurant, and other tourist services are available during this summer season, or a few weeks on either side of this period. The nearest towns with hospital facilities are Kalispell and Whitefish, MT. Emergency services are accessed by 911. Cell service may not work in all areas of the park.

Handicap access in the park is available on the west side of the park are as follows.There is a ranger station at Apgar and the picnic area and bathrooms are accessible for wheelchairs. Sprague Campground does have handicapped access campsites.At Lake McDonald there is handicap access to the restrooms at the lodge. Wheelchairs access does not go beyond the lodge complex area. There are steep stairs to get to the boat ramp to access the Lake McDonald scenic boat tours. There are hiking trails in this area, but they are steep and rocky. A handicap access on Trail of the Cedars is .7 miles long of boardwalk that follows the McDonald creek in a cedar and hemlock forest. It begins at the Avalanche Lake parking and picnic area.Handicap shuttles are available up to Logan Pass. The schedules vary so check with the park service for current times and dates for shuttle transportation. The Logan Pass visitor center has handicap accessible restrooms. There is access from the curb to a ramp that will take you to the lower restrooms area. There is a long ramp up to the visitor center, which contains information about the park. There is a short walkway around the visitor center. The Hidden Lake Trail beyond the visitor center is too steep and rocky to allow access for wheelchairs. Weather can change quickly, especially at the high elevation at the pass. With people with special needs, special attention need to be paid for being prepared for these weather changes. Bring enough clothing to stay warm in cool, wet or windy weather. Drinking enough water is another challenge in the higher altitude, especially in the warmer summer weather. The sun is much stronger at higher elevations, especially on the pass. Sunscreen, hats and long shirts are good protection against burning.