Phase 3
Expanded Services
As Health Conditions Allow
- Additional Campgrounds
- Expanded Personal Boating
- Additional Facilities & Services
- Expanded Backcountry Use
- Ranger-Led Programs
The park may open facilities listed in Phase 3 once conditions are safe and appropriate mitigation measures have been developed and implemented. These facilities and operations will undergo risk assessments and be subject to a range of mitigation actions consistent with local, state, and national guidance. It is unknown when the park will transition into Phase 3.
Phase 3 Facilities and Operations
Additional Campgrounds
During Phase 3, Apgar Campground may open to first-come, first-served, walk-in camping. Many Glacier Campground may open for camping by reservation-only through recreation.gov. The park will continue to assess operations and anticipated services based on the latest public health guidance. Rising Sun, Two Medicine, Cut Bank, Avalanche, and Sprague Creek Campgrounds, along with the campgrounds in the the North Fork area are not expected to open in 2020.
Expanded Personal Boating
The park may open additional waters to boating on a limited basis.
Additional Facilities & Services
Services not listed will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Expanded Backcountry Use
Additional backcountry trails and campgrounds may be maintained as conditions and staffing allow.
Ranger-Led Programs
Limited ranger-led programming may resume based on staffing availability and current health guidance.
Workforce Protection, Housing, & Staffing
National Park Service
The NPS will reduce exposure potential to employees by:
- Limiting public/visitor interface during Phases 1 and 2. The NPS has identified certain facilities that will need to operate during Phase 1, including public restrooms.
- Developing protective measures to reduce exposure risks in areas open in Phase 1 and 2 including PPE and special equipment to enhance cleaning of facilities; established response protocols for first responders; and adjust to the types of medical calls that NPS personnel respond.
- Providing maximum flexibility for park positions eligible for telework. Supervisors will ensure employees physically coming to work are protected, use staggered schedules, and minimizing shared vehicles use.
- Assigning seasonal employees separate housing units with individual bedrooms and bathrooms will be utilized as much as possible. Dormitory and shared housing configurations will be adjusted to support COVID-19 health and safety protocols. As a result, there will be less housing available for park employees.
Park Partners
- Concession and partner operators will develop specific guidelines for workforce protection, consistent with facility opening.
- Shared bathroom configurations will be reviewed by public health officials and will determine what actions will be taken to reduce exposure risks.
Contractors
Contractors are required to provide COVID-19 plans to the NPS and receive approval prior to beginning work. These plans should outline actions taken to protect contract employees at work, in remote housing areas, and in other areas frequented.
Surveillance & Monitoring
The NPS will continue working with state and local health officials and the Blackfeet Nation to share information regarding COVID-19 infection rates, hospital and testing capacity, monitoring actions, and the ability to isolate infected employees. The park is also preparing response protocols for visitors who test positive for the virus.
The park is working with public health officials in Flathead and Glacier Counties to expand testing and surveillance capacity.
Contingency Planning
Should states, counties, or the Blackfeet Nation reinstate major health restrictions due to unacceptably high COVID-19 infection rates, the park is prepared to scale back facilities and operations as necessary, in conjunction with these restrictions. The detection of community spread within the park will trigger the closure of facilities and potentially affected geographic areas.