Visitation to Glacier National Park is on a record-pace this year, despite a wildfire that has closed a good portion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road/NPS

While the Reynolds Creek wildfire might have slowed visitation to Glacier National Park in recent weeks, the park has seen a double-digit increase in visitors compared to year-ago figures.

According to visitor-use statistics, the park’s year-to-date visitation has increased mroe than 11 percent from this time in 2014. Last year was a record year for visitation with 2.3 million visitors to Glacier.

Glacier National Park visitation for July 2015 was one-half percent lower than visitation for July 2014. The St. Mary Entrance recorded approximately 20 percent fewer visitors in July 2015 than in July 2014. The east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road has been inaccessible due to the Reynolds Creek Fire. It is likely that this closure has impacted visitation at the east entrance to the park, but overall park visitation remains high.

Peak visitation at Glacier National Park is in July and August.

As for the fire, it remained 67 percent contained early on Thursday, and an approaching cold front held the possibility of bringing light rain showers to the fire. 

"As fire managers are feeling more confident in the security of the fire line perimeter, crews will concentrate on removing hazards and extinguishing hot spots along the Going-to-the-Sun Road," a park release said. "Firefighters are now able to focus more resources along Going-to-the-Sun Road. There is an expectation that the historic road will reopen sometime during this summer season as soon as it is safe for public travel. This remains a major priority for Glacier National Park. All businesses are open in St. Mary to provide a variety of services for summer vacationers on the east side of the (Continental) Divide."

The fire, covering roughly 3,900 acres, is burning approximately six miles east of Logan Pass and four miles west of St. Mary Visitor Center

The Rising Sun Motor Inn, Rising Sun Campground, and the Rising Sun Boat Dock remain closed. The Going-to-the-Sun Road remains closed from the St. Mary Campground to Logan Pass on the east side of the park.

Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to Logan Pass from the west side of the park. Visitors should expect delays and congestion along the road. The Red Eagle drainage is open for hiking access to Red Eagle Lake, Triple Divide, and the beaver ponds. The Sperry Trail is open from Lake McDonald Lodge to Gunsight Pass. Any travel beyond Gunsight Pass is closed due to fire activity. The Lake Ellen Wilson backcountry site is open.