These vintage buses are a reminder of what it was like to travel around Glacier National Park in the 1930s. The unique name comes from the old days when drivers could be heard "jammin" on the gears of the bright red buses as they drove around the park. The red jammer buses took tourists from one side of the park to the other via the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and into Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park.

All thirty-two of Glacier's red jammer buses have been recently renovated to comply with the safety and environmental standards of the park. In 1999, safety inspections revealed evidence of metal fatigue in some of the buses' frames. In response, Glacier Park Inc. donated all the buses to the National Park Service so that Ford Motor Company could modernize the vehicles.

The renovations ended up costing a total of $800,000. Originally buses had canvas tops, and were made of oak and covered with a metal skin. Today, all the buses have refurbished interior and exterior structures, automatic transmission, power steering, and dual propane/gasoline engines. The canvas tops and original charm remain.

The vintage buses stretch 25 feet long and hold 17 passengers. Divers provide a narrative as you tour through the park, and are ready to answer all of your questions. You can sign up for half-day and full-day tours to different place in the park, including Logan Pass and the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Tour prices range from $25 to $85. Reservations are required and should be made at least a day before you plan to tour.

Red Bus Jammer Tours

Take a ride back in time while you view the sites of Glacier National Park in style on one of the historic red buses. These vintage motor coaches, built by the White Motor Company, travel over the Going-to-the-Sun Road and link all of the hotels and inns within the park.

Tours Leaving From the East Side of the Park

Big Sky Circle Tour      TOP ↑
(Available from 6/18/2010 to 9/19/2010)

The most inclusive tour of Glacier National Park starts with a morning drive over Marias Pass, with wildlife viewing at Goat Lick and a stop at the historic Izaak Walton Inn. Tour the grand cedar hemlock forests on your way to an optional lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge. After lunch, ascend to the high alpine of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass and down the St. Mary Valley.

Stop at the Wild Goose Island overlook for another photo opportunity. The tour finishes with grand vistas of grassland, prairie and mountains as you arrive back to the hotel.

International Peace Park Tour      TOP ↑
Available from 6/7/2010 to 9/13/2010

Begin your morning on the “Old North Trail”, one of the oldest ‘highways’ in the world. See unparalleled views as you wind along Montana plains and peaks. Visit the incredible Many Glacier Valley along the way to Waterton Lakes National Park and the historic Prince of Wales Hotel just in time for the optional Afternoon Tea served in the lobby, overlooking the Waterton Valley back into Montana. Return along the base of Chief Mountain, the spiritual landmark of the Blackfeet Indians.

Old North Trail Tour      TOP ↑
(Early June and Late Sept. Only)
Available from 5/29/2010 to 6/17/2010
and 9/20/2010 to 9/25/2010

Your journey begins in Glacier’s “Secret” Two Medicine Valley with a short optional stroll to Running Eagle Falls and the historic Two Medicine Camp store. Head over Looking Glass Hill on the 10,000 year old, Old North Trail, with views of Montana’s peaks and plains on your way to Swiftcurrent Valley and an optional lunch at Many Glacier Hotel’s Ptarmigan Dining Room.

Take in the scenic glacier views before exploring the St. Mary Valley and Wild Goose Island via the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road. Journey back to Glacier Park Lodge with memories of all you have seen and discovered.

Secret Valley Tour      TOP ↑
Available from 5/29/2010 to 9/25/2010

Wind your way through fir and aspen forests into Glacier National Park and the Two Medicine Valley. Stroll the short optional trail to Running Eagle Falls and continue on to Middle Two Medicine Lake and Glacier’s “secret valley”. From there, enjoy an included boat cruise along the base of one of Glacier’s largest mountains, Rising Wolf.

Visit the historic Two Medicine Campstore, site of one of President F.D. Roosevelt’s “fireside chats”, before continuing your journey alongside one of the oldest roads in the world, The Old North Trail. Then it is back to East Glacier through the Blackfeet Reservation with unparalleled views of the famed front range of the Rockies and the Lewis Overthrust.

The included boat tour is only offered 6/15/09 to 9/1/09. Participants who take the tour before or after these dates will receive a complimentary miniature red bus replica in lieu of the boat cruise.

Tours Leaving From the North East Side of the Park
Crown of the Continent Tour      TOP ↑
Available from 6/18/2010 to 9/19/2010

Your journey starts on the rugged eastern slopes and follows the glacially carved valleys in the St. Mary region. Proceed into the heart of Glacier National Park on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and to the top of the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Continue down the west side of the park for an optional lunch at historic Lake McDonald Lodge, before heading back.

Eastern Alpine Tour      TOP ↑
(Available from 6/18/2010 to 9/19/2010)

Start your tour on the unique and rugged eastern side of Glacier. Along the way, visit the stunning St. Mary Lake area and historic Rising Sun Motor Inn. Then, travel up The Going-to-the-Sun Road to the Continental Divide and Logan Pass. Take in the infinite splendors and majestic scenery before returning to the flowering valleys and open prairies along the eastern slopes of Glacier National Park.

International Peace Park Tour      TOP ↑
(Available from 6/7/2010 to 9/13/2010)

Begin your morning on the “Old North Trail”, one of the oldest ‘highways’ in the world. See unparalleled views as you wind along Montana plains and peaks. Visit the incredible Many Glacier Valley along the way to Waterton Lakes National Park and the historic Prince of Wales Hotel just in time for the optional Afternoon Tea served in the lobby, overlooking the Waterton Valley back into Montana. Return along the base of Chief Mountain, the spiritual landmark of the Blackfeet Indians.

Old North Trail Tour (Early June Only)      TOP ↑
(Available from 6/5/2010 to 6/17/2010)

Your journey begins in the glacially clad Swiftcurrent Valley and continues on through St. Mary and over the Hudson Bay Divide on the 10,000 year old, Old North Trail. Traverse through pristine mountain and prairie vistas on your way to an optional lunch at the historic Glacier Park Lodge Great Northern Dining Room. After lunch head back up to experience Glacier’s “Secret” Two Medicine Valley with a short optional stroll to Running Eagle Falls and the historic Two Medicine Campstore.

Treasure State Tour      TOP ↑
(Available from 6/18/2010 to 9/19/2010)

Come explore some of Glacier’s greatest natural treasures on this half day tour along the Eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. Starting off in the glacier clad Swiftcurrent Valley, the tour begins by heading south to the St. Mary Valley and the start of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. From there, the tour winds along the mountain rimmed St. Mary Lake, to one of Glacier’s most photographed overlooks, Wild Goose Island. The tour then heads north for a visit to the most famous of all the Glacier peaks, Chief Mountain. This has long been a spiritual and iconic landmark of Glacier and the overlook provides breathtaking photos of this sentinel of the prairie. The tour concludes with an evening drive along Lake Sherburne as you return to Many Glacier.

Tours Leaving From the West Side of the Park
Crown of the Continent Tour      TOP ↑
(Available from 6/18/2010 to 9/19/2010)

Your journey starts in the cedar and hemlock forests of the McDonald Valley. Travel up The Going-to-the-Sun Road along a glacially formed arête to the top of the Crown of the Continent at Logan Pass. Head down through the St. Mary Valley and out to the prairies of Big Sky Country, then into the magnificent Swiftcurrent Valley.

Enjoy glacial views and an optional lunch at Many Glacier Hotel’s Ptarmigan Dining Room. Experience an encore vista on your return trip to the west side.

Evening Discovery Tour (July and August Only)      TOP ↑
(Available from 7/1/2010 to 8/31/2010)

Glacier’s newest tour is for those who want to experience a beautiful and romantic mountain afternoon atop The Going-to-the-Sun Road. As the sun begins its slow descent behind Glacier National Park’s famous Rocky Mountains, it is the optimal time to view some of Glacier’s most reclusive wildlife. Truly an unforgettable experience in one of Montana’s historic Red Buses.

Huckleberry Mountain Tour (May/Early June/Late Sept. Only)      TOP ↑
Available from 5/23/2010 to 6/17/2010
and 9/20/2010 to 9/25/2010

Delve into the great cedar/hemlock forests that surround the Lake McDonald Valley on your way to Sacred Dancing Cascade. Return past Lake McDonald Lodge for amazing scenic and wildlife viewing opportunities on your tour up Camas Creek Road to the little explored North Fork region of Glacier National Park. Enjoy an easy and optional walk on the Huckleberry Mountain Nature Trail before your return trip through the spectacular burn areas of the fires of 2003.

Mountain Majesty Tour      TOP ↑
(Available from 7/1/2010 to 9/19/2010)

Start your tour in the Lake McDonald Valley, one of the few Montana rain forests. Soon you will be traversing the side of a glacially carved valley while touring on the Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan pass. After a stop at the Visitor Center, head down into the cirques of the St. Mary Valley with an optional lunch/dinner at Rising Sun’s Two Dog Flats Grill.

*AFTERNOON DEPARTURE NOT AVAILABLE AFTER 8/31/2010.

Western Alpine Tour      TOP ↑
(Available from 6/19/2010 to 9/20/2010)

Start your tour in the great cedar and hemlock forests that surround the Lake McDonald Valley. Traverse the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road to the high alpine region of the park and stand on top of the Continental Divide. Discover incredible mountain ranges, glaciers, water falls and wild flowers along the way as your Red seems to glide along the side of the valley carved by glaciers called the Garden Wall.

*THESE TOUR TIMES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AFTER 8/31/2010
**AVAILABLE FROM 7/1/2010 - 8/31/2010