The Glacier National Park Two Medicine Permit Office is closed for 2024 – Northbound CDT Hiker Permit Information
- Walk-up permits are not available in Two Medicine.
- Walk-up permits can be obtained for itineraries starting the same day or the next day at the following locations. Availability is not guaranteed.
- St. Mary’s Visitor Center (The closest permit office to East Glacier – 30 miles to the North – roughly a 45-minute drive.) May 26–September 26: Open 7:30 am–4:30 pm. Closed for the season beginning September 27th.
- Apgar Wilderness Permit Center – 56 miles on the West side of the park)
May 26–September 30: Open 7:30 am–5:00 pm - Many Glacier Ranger Station
- Open from 7:30am – 4:30pm (May – September 14.) September 15th – September 26th, permits will be issued near the Swan Mountain Outfitters ticket office near the Many Glacier Hotel.
- To increase your chances of obtaining a walk-up permit:
- Get in line early – before opening
- Group up with other CDT hikers. Up to 4 hikers are allowed per permit. Not all group members need to be present when picking up the permit.
- Advanced reservations may still be available online at recreation.gov
- For more information about Glacier National Park Wilderness Permits
How to prepare
- Form your GNP travel party before reaching Glacier to maximize the number of people on each permit.
- Book a shuttle from East Glacier to St. Mary’s if trying for a walk-up permit.
Backpacker’s Ferry (East Glacier) – (406) 845-3905 or (406) 890-5847
Mountain Chief Cab Company (East Glacier) – (406) 450-3630
- A Blackfeet Nation permit is required for the 6 miles in and out of East Glacier: https://blackfeet.nagfa.net/online/
- Watch the Wilderness Camping Video ahead of time to save time at the permit office. This video is required before backcountry travel, and the permit issuer may give a verbal quiz before the permit is issued.
Other reminders
- GNP Wilderness Rangers will be checking permits. Please keep your permit handy at all times while traveling in Glacier.
- Maintain a flexible schedule and be prepared to be creative with obtaining permits for backcountry campsites.
- All hikers are required by GNP to stay in a designated campsite.
- Watch the Wilderness Camping Video ahead of time to save time at the permit office.
- GNP staff are working to help CDT hikers through this process. Please be courteous.
Campsites along the CDT (using the official mileage of the CDTC):
| Name | Mile | Type |
| East Glacier | 2929.5 | Town |
| Two Medicine Lake (TMC) | 2941 | Frontcountry & Backcountry |
| Oldman Lake (OLD) | 2947.5 | Backcountry |
| Morning Star Lake (MOR) | 2952 | Backcountry |
| Cut Bank (CBE) | 2954.8 | Frontcountry – Accessed via 3.9 mile side trail |
| Atlantic Creek (ATL) | 2955 | Backcountry |
| Red Eagle Lake Head (REH) | 2965.5 | Backcountry |
| Red Eagle Lake Foot (REF) | 2966.5 | Backcountry |
| Reynolds Creek (REY) | 2980 | Backcountry |
| Waterton Route | Chief Mountain Route | ||||
| Many Glacier (MAN) | 2995.5 | Frontcountry & Backcountry | Poia Lake | 7.6 | Backcountry |
| Granite Park (GRN) | 3003.5 | Backcountry Accessed by side trail | Foot Elizabeth Lake | 17.5 | Backcountry |
| Fifty Mountain (FIF) | 3015.7 | Backcountry | Gable Creek | 21 | Backcountry |
| Kootenai Lake(KOO) | 3022.7 | Backcountry | Chief Mountain | 27.2 | Northern Terminus |
| Goat Haunt Shelters (GOA) | 3025.3 | Backcountry | |||
| Waterton River (WAT) | 3026 | Backcountry | |||
| Waterton Boundary | 3030 | Northern Terminus | |||
| Waterton Townsite | 3034 | Town | |||
Blackfeet Nation Recreation & Conservation Permit from Blackfeet Fish & Wildlife:
The Blackfeet Recreation Permit is required for traveling the CDT in and out of East Glacier on Blackfeet lands. The permit can be obtained online here and is valid until April 2025. Each individual must have proof of permit (electronic or physical copy) on them at all times.
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