Canada reopens Chief Mountain May 15

A small mountain border crossing is reopening, but for Glacier and Waterton travelers that changes the map in a very practical way. Canada’s border agency said the Chief Mountain port of entry will open for the 2026 summer season on Friday, May 15, and run through Wednesday, September 30. That means the direct road link between Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta and Glacier National Park in Montana is back for another season. The gap was the usual one — winter closes this crossing every year because the site is high, snowy, and not realistic to keep running year-round. ### What is Chief Mountain, exactly? Chief Mountain is a seasonal land border crossing at the edge of Waterton Lakes on the Canadian side and near Glacier on the U.S. side. Canada places it along Highway 6 in Alberta; the U.S. side describes it as being on Highway 17 in Glacier County, Montana. Either way, it is the border gate people use when they want the shortest park-to-park drive instead of looping far east to a bigger crossing. (canada.ca) ### Why does it close every winter? Elevation is the whole story. The crossing sits at 5,649 feet, the highest border crossing in Canada, and the route is exposed to harsh winter weather. So this is not a surprise reopening after some special closure — it is the normal seasonal return of service after the winter shutdown. That matters because travelers can mistake a “reopening” headline for a policy change, when really this is a calendar change tied to mountain conditions. (canada.ca) ### What are the hours? The Canadian notice confirms the season dates, but the practical detail many drivers care about is that this crossing does not run like a 24-hour border station. On the U.S. side, the standard seasonal pattern has been 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 15 to 31, then longer summer hours from June 1 into early September, before dropping back to shorter September hours. If you are routing a same-day park transfer through Chief Mountain, the catch is simple — check the port listing before you drive, because seasonal crossings can have tighter windows than major commercial ports. (canada.ca) ### Why does this matter for Glacier and Waterton trips? Because it restores the cleanest cross-border itinerary in the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park area. Without Chief Mountain, drivers often have to detour to other crossings, adding time and making day trips less convenient. With it open, you can plan a loop that treats the two parks more like one connected destination again — which is how many visitors want to experience them in summer. (cbp.gov) ### Is this a big policy shift? Not really. It is operational news, not a new border rule. The documents you need, the customs process, and the normal advice about declarations and travel prep still apply. The real change is narrower but useful — one scenic, high-altitude crossing is back on the board for the warm season. ### What should travelers do differently now? (cbp.gov) Book and route with the crossing dates in mind. If your trip starts before May 15 or runs after September 30, Chief Mountain is not your option. And even during the season, it makes sense to confirm port hours and border conditions right before departure instead of trusting an old map result or a generic GPS route. (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca) ### Bottom line This is a small reopening with outsized value for road-trippers. Starting May 15, Chief Mountain once again becomes the direct seasonal bridge between Waterton and Glacier — and that can save both miles and hassle on a summer park itinerary. (canada.ca)