GREAT FALLS — The status of the east entrance to Glacier National Park in 2021 may soon get a little clearer.
Members of the Blackfeet Tribe have contacted the park’s superintendent to begin discussions about re-opening the entrance, which is in the Blackfeet Reservation.
It has been closed since the tribe closed the reservation in 2020 to help slow the spread of COVID-19 on the reservation.
"I do know there's going to be some dialogue next week at some point. So after that we may know something, some type of potential dates,” said James McNeeley, Blackfeet Tribe Public Information Officer.
The park’s west entrance remains open.
(JUNE 26, 2020) The Blackfeet Tribal Council has decided to close the eastern border of Glacier National Park into the Blackfeet Reservation for the remainder of the 2020 season as a result of the jump in COVID-19 cases.
According to Blackfeet COVID-19 Incident Command, the closure of the border is for the protection of the residents of the Blackfeet Nation.
The following roads are closed for this year's tourism season: Two Medicine, Chief Mountain, St. Mary’s, Cut Bank Creek, and Many Glacier. The west entrance of the park remains open and visitors can travel to Avalanche Creek. However, there are still time and facility restrictions in place.
Here is the full text of the BTBC announcement:
- WHEREAS, The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council passed the “Blackfeet Tribe COVID-19 Ordinance” No. 121 and Resolution No. 2020-181 “ Reaffirming the Declaration Addressing the COVID-19 Outbreak for the Blackfeet Reservation” and further orders for the purpose of limiting the risk of infection from the global pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 to members and residents of the Blackfeet Reservation, and
- WHEREAS, Based on the spike in COVID-19 cases in Montana and the health and safety risk to the residents of the Blackfeet Reservation have high numbers of health disparities, the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council hereby desires to close the eastern border of Glacier National Park for the protection of the residents of the Blackfeet Reservation for the rest of the 2020 tourism season, now
- THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:1. Closure of the Eastern Border of Glacier National Park. The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council hereby closes the Eastern Border of Glacier National Park into the Blackfeet Reservation including all the following roads: Two Medicine, Chief Mountain, St. Mary’s, Cut Bank Creek, and Many Glacier until end of the 2020 tourism season.2. Penalty. Violation of this resolution shall be subject to the penalties prescribed pursuant to Ordinance #121.3. Public Advertisement. The Public Relations Specialist is hereby directed to make notice effective immediately of this Resolution to the Public.
