Be a Responsible Traveler

Pledge to Uphold the Wonder of Western Montana

Nature is our most important asset. Pristine waterways, unspoiled landscapes and that fresh mountain air we love so much—it's invaluable and should be treated as such. Take the Glacier Country Pledge, and promise to respect and treasure Montana's nature, wildlife, people and cultures.

I Pledge to:

• Explore Western Montana's Glacier Country responsibly, respecting the great outdoors—and the indoors, too.
• Know before I go. I will check weather, road status and business hours before I head out and have backup plans in place. I will have the right equipment for my activity, and I will know how to use it.
• Plan ahead. I will secure reservations in advance. I will plan for road closures and altered business hours.
• Play it safe. I will know my physical limitations and always travel with the appropriate provisions. I will play it safe around wildlife, wildland fire, campfire, water and steep terrain. I will carry a first-aid kit.
• Honor Montana's warm western hospitality by being friendly, kind and courteous myself.
• Explore mindfully and be part of an inclusive outdoors. I will respect the serenity and quietude of Western Montana's communities and wild places and do my part to make them welcoming for all.
• Help keep Montana's wildlife wild. I won't feed animals or invade their space, for their safety and the safety of myself and others. I will stay at least 100 yards (300 feet) away from bears and wolves and 25 yards (75 feet) away from bison, elk and other animals.
• Help keep Montana's waters clean by complying with Montana's Aquatic Invasive Species laws and rules while boating, fishing and swimming in the region.
• Take photos in Montana's most Instagram-worthy spots without disrupting wildlife and wild places or endangering myself or others.
• Tag responsibly. To keep the experience of discovery alive, while taking photos in Western Montana, including in Glacier National Park, I will not tag specific locations on social media; instead I will tag locations simply as "Western Montana" or "Glacier National Park."
• Be mindful of Western Montana's susceptibility to wildland fire and use the utmost care when dealing with fire, especially during the dry summer months. I will put out my campfires completely.
• Leave no trace and pack out all my trash, including TP and dog waste, even things like fruit rinds, banana peels and cherry pits.
• Get off the beaten path but stay on designated trails, tread lightly, respect private property, and use maps and GPS to avoid getting lost.
• Only park in designated parking areas, respect the flow of traffic on Montana's highways, byways and backroads, and slow down on winter roads. I will follow the speed limit and slow down in construction zones and slow down, move over or stop in the presence of emergency incidents.
• Be prepared for unexpected and fast-changing weather conditions, no matter the season.
• If I plan to dry camp/boondock, I will have a backup plan in place.