Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Glacier National Park flood update (7/1/26)

Glacier National Park posted this on their social media a few minutes ago:
As the rain subsides and rangers make safety assessments, many areas are re-opening across the park! Here’s what you should expect:

✅Open

▫️Going-To-The-Sun Road is open in its entirety.
▫️The Many Glacier road has been reopened, and the Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn are open for guest check-in and visitor services.
▫️Limited trails are open in Many Glacier:
🔹Swiftcurrent Lake Loop
🔹Trail to Grinnell Lake via Josephine South Shore (⚠️note that lake access is limited due to high water).
🔹Apikuni Falls (⚠️hikers are advised to stop at the end of the maintained trail. Do not attempt to climb the rocks to the base of the falls).

🚫Closures

▫️The Many Glacier Campground will remain closed until conditions are safe. It is projected to open July 2.
▫️Many Glacier public boating and AIS inspections are temporarily suspended due to unsafe conditions caused by submerged logs and debris.
▫️Commercial services offering boat tours and horseback trail rides are also suspended in the Many Glacier Valley.

🚨Safety reminder🚨

Visitors should be extra vigilant near water. Swift, cold streams and rivers, slick rocks, and slippery logs all present dangers. Never walk, play, or climb on slippery rocks and logs, especially around waterfalls. Visitors should expect rivers and streams to remain high and dangerous.

Photo 1 - Many Glacier Campground Amphitheater 6/29/26 - NPS/Andrew Friedgen




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Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:


Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Glacier National Park flood update

Update: The Going-to-the-Sun Road has fully reopened. Also, the Many Glacier Valley was expected to fully reopen this morning, while the Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn planned to reopen for guest check-in and visitor services. According to the park website: "The Many Glacier campground is closed due to flooding. It is projected to reopen July 2. Most trails in Many Glacier are closed, but there are limited hiking opportunities available." Stay up-to-date: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Glacier National Park posted this on their social media a few minutes ago:
The sun will come out tomorrow, but is Going-to-the-Sun Road going to open? We can’t say for sure. Before visiting Glacier National Park this week, please check out some of our frequently asked questions below.🌞

💧Reopening. As the rain subsides, the work of assessing the damage begins. With rainfall and flooding, rock falls and washouts may occur, creating dangerous conditions. Areas won’t open until safe.

💧Safety. High-flowing rivers have fast-moving currents, the potential for freezing temperatures, and dangerous debris and other hidden dangers. Always keep a safe distance from water. Even 6 inches of water can sweep a person off their feet and pull them downstream.

💧Crowding. Due to closures at Many Glacier Valley and the alpine sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier is experiencing high volumes of visitors in other areas of the park.

💧Expectations. Be sure to pack your patience! You can expect long entrance lines to open areas of the park, busier than usual visitor centers, and crowded trails.

💧Options. Visit our Nearby Attractions page for areas to explore outside the park at go.nps.gov/GlacierNearbyAttractions For the most updated information, visit go.nps.gov/glacconditions

📸: A flooded trail in Glacier National Park by NPS/Andrew Friedgen




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Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:


Glacier National Park Announces Multiple Temporary Closures Due to Flooding (updated with videos)

Heavy rainfall has caused significant flooding across Glacier National Park, prompting multiple temporary closures. Rising water levels and unstable ground conditions are affecting roads, trails, and infrastructure.

The entire Many Glacier Valley, including Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and the Many Glacier Campground is closed to the public to ensure visitor safety during ongoing flooding in the area. The Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn have been evacuated due to flooding. All trails in the Many Glacier Valley are closed until further notice.

Commercial boat tours operated by the Glacier Park Boat Company and horseback rides operated by the Swan Mountain Outfitters in Many Glacier have been suspended for the duration of the closure.

Glacier National Park will work closely with the Federal Highway Administration when it is time to reopen the Many Glacier Valley to ensure that access is restored safely.

Heavy rainfall has also impacted access along Going-to‑the-Sun Road. A temporary closure was implemented on June 28 from Avalanche to Jackson Glacier Overlook. With the increase in water and debris along the road, closure points have been adjusted, the west side closure remains at Avalanche, and the east side closure has moved to Rising Sun. Visitors should expect detours, delays, and limited access while crews respond to hazardous conditions created by fast‑moving water, debris, and saturated soils.

There is no hiker/biker access past any road closures, and all closure points should be avoided.

The park urges visitors to practice responsible visitation during this weather event. Flooded areas should never be crossed, and all posted closures must be followed. Travelers should check current conditions before arriving and remain flexible with plans as weather and access may change quickly.

The National Weather Service issued a Prolonged Rain and Runoff warning from Sunday, June 28-Tuesday, June 30. Heavy rain in steep terrain may lead to possible rockslides, and rapid water rises from small streams.

Glacier National Park will evaluate and re-open areas when conditions improve.

Visitors are reminded that weather conditions can change quickly, and park travelers should always be prepared for inclement weather. Check the park website for the most up to date information. Visitors can also sign up for GNP notifications to receive road status updates by texting GNPROADS to 333111.

Here's a report from KRTV:



Here's some "raw video" from KPAX, reporting that the Going to the Sun Road was/is blocked:





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Check out our online trail guides:



On this date in hiking history: The first hiking trail in the world

Actually, we don't know the exact date, but construction on the first recreational hiking trail in the world was completed sometime this month in 1819.

The 8.25-mile Crawford Path was cut to the summit of Mt. Washington by Abel and Ethan Crawford, which they advertised in regional newspapers to help attract travelers to their crude lodges in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Here are two photos from the trail. It's not clear when either of these were taken:
Ramble On: A History of Hiking elaborates on the father and son team who built the trail, some of the remarkable accounts of the first adventurers to hike it, as well as the profound role the trail and the Crawford family had on hiking and early tourism.




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Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.


Sunday, June 28, 2026

Trail improvement work will begin in late June on Delta Lake route in Grand Teton National Park

Visitors hiking to Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park this summer should expect temporary delays and work zones as restoration and improvements take place along the heavily traveled route. The project, led by Access Fund in partnership with Grand Teton National Park and funded by Grand Teton National Park Foundation, will improve visitor safety, reduce erosion, protect sensitive alpine vegetation, and create a more sustainable route to one of the park’s most popular backcountry destinations.

Beginning in late June and continuing through early August, Access Fund crews will be working in partnership with Grand Teton’s trail crew along the unofficial but popular route to Delta Lake via the Lupine Meadows Trailhead. The Teton Climbers Coalition will also coordinate a volunteer workday in support of the project later this summer.

"Projects like this demonstrate what is possible when nonprofit partners, volunteers, outdoor recreation organizations, and the National Park Service work together toward a common goal," said Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Grand Teton National Park. "By taking these steps today, we are helping protect the Delta Lake area while maintaining the backcountry experience visitors value."

Delta Lake has experienced a dramatic increase in visitation in recent years, resulting in braided social trails, erosion, and vegetation impacts in sensitive alpine terrain. The project aims to create a more sustainable and intuitive route while maintaining the adventurous nature of the hike.

“Delta Lake is one of the park’s most popular destinations, and this project is an important investment in protecting both the visitor experience and the fragile alpine environment for years to come,” said Leslie Mattson, president of Grand Teton National Park Foundation. “We are grateful for the partnership behind this effort and are pleased to support it.”

The work will focus primarily on defining a path through heavily impacted sections of the route, including the boulder field leading to Delta Lake. Planned improvements include better wayfinding, erosion mitigation, trail stabilization, and rehabilitation of social trails contributing to resource damage.

Visitors may encounter temporary delays, short reroutes, work crews, and equipment in project areas during active construction days. Hikers are encouraged to follow all posted signage, respect work zones, and allow extra time when visiting the area.



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Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the majestic mountains of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout this park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Exploring Grand Teton National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Grand Teton: