Glacier Nat’l Park Wants Your Opinion on Swiftcurrent Project

The National Park Service has developed a story map describing the proposal, available for review and comment online HERE.  Comments can also be sent to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn:  Swiftcurrent Developed Area Proposal PO, Box 128, West Glacier, MT 59936. Comments are due by July 30, 2023.

The park is proposing to close the Swiftcurrent developed area during the construction period, from the fall of 2024 until spring of 2026. The Swiftcurrent developed area is in the Swiftcurrent Valley located west of the Many Glacier Valley on the east side of the park. The area closure would include the summer of 2025, during which time the public would generally not have access to the Swiftcurrent developed area. Day hiking would be facilitated for the trail system from the Swiftcurrent Area. 

The Swiftcurrent developed area is in the Swiftcurrent Valley located west of the Many Glacier Valley on the east side of the park. It includes:

• Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and General Store
• Swiftcurrent lodging
• Many Glacier Campground
• Swiftcurrent Picnic Area
• Swiftcurrent Lake boat launch
• A popular trail system
• The Many Glacier Ranger Station
• National Park Service (NPS) housing

The Many Glacier Hotel and associated concessioner services are not part of the project area. Hiking trails would remain open.

Improvements included in the project proposal include Improving water infrastructure by replacing water lines, rehabilitating the existing well, and creating a new well for a backup water source. The project would also rehabilitate the road including pavement and drainage improvements, between the Many Glacier Hotel intersection and the Swiftcurrent developed area, and address parking concerns and pedestrian safety.

The closure would be in place during the fall of 2024, spring and summer of 2025, and spring of 2026.  Impacts to visitors would be most noticeable during July and August of 2025, when services that are typically open to the public would be closed. There would be very little change to the availability of services during the fall and spring shoulder season, since services in the area are normally closed during these times.