Nestled along the U.S.-Canadian border, Glacier National Park is home to breathtaking and unforgettable beauty, alongside unforgiving and unpredictable weather. From a hundred-foot deep snowdrift to the cool, clear shores of Lake McDonald, finding the perfect time to plan your trip can be the difference between being left out in the cold or being swept off your feet. Read on to find out the best season to visit Glacier National Park, and what you can expect from visiting at any time of year. Spoiler alert, you probably won’t be visiting in the winter.
Winter (November – April)
Yes, winter lasts a very long time up here.
Winter in Montana can be a truly harrowing experience. Glacier National Park is no different. Make no mistake, despite being a national park, park-goers in the winter should come prepared. If you do choose to visit in the winter, you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient. There are no park facilities open to guests from late-October to May, including restaurants, hotels and visitor centers.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. For those willing to find lodging outside the park (in year round towns like Whitefish or Kalispell) and intrepid enough to pack that peanut butter and jelly into the freezing cold, (winter highs, even down low, are rarely above 32°F) a uniquely peaceful time can be had. Winter sees the lowest visitation of any season in Glacier. And no additional timed-entry reservations are required to get around, though this is due to the fact that most roads in the park are closed. Only the section of Going-to-the-Sun Road from West Glacier to Lake McDonald stays plowed year round and most other roads in the park remain inaccessible to cars. Highway 2 is typically open and maintained as a way to get across the area, but check local conditions for up-to-date traffic information.
A winter scenic drive on Going-to-The-Sun Road is out of the question, though weather permitting it’s often open to skiing and snowshoeing and the truly adventurous could even seek out the Big Drift, a trek of roughly 20 miles from Lake McDonald Lodge. The snowdrift located along the eastern side of the Garden Wall can accumulate as much as 100 feet. The one-mile stretch of road it’s located on can take more than a month to clear come spring time. However, we would highly recommend leaving this particular sortie to the experts as avalanche danger is a constant threat. An easier alternative would be Lower McDonald Creek where you could go as little as 2 or 3 miles enjoying the winter wonderland.
Spring (May and June)
Like most things in nature, Glacier begins to slowly awaken for spring come May. Lodges around the park will start to open mid-to-late May but be wary and always check the park’s official website for the most up to date information as conditions change. Arrive prepared and you will most likely need to find lodging outside of the park until safely into June.
Spring can be a nice time to visit the park, however, as crowds remain low and there is more and more to do throughout. By late May most roads in the park except Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass will be plowed, allowing you to get up higher to hike or camp. Watch out for wildlife and keep some bear spray handy as most wildlife, especially grizzlies coming out of hibernation, will be very active in the spring months.
Going-to-the-Sun Road and Logan Pass are likely going to have to be postponed until later in the season, as most years they won’t be fully cleared and open until late June or early July. Those visiting the park late into the spring should keep in mind that starting in late May you will start to need a vehicle permit on top of your park admission to visit certain parts of the park.
Summer (July and August)
If you’re looking for a time to visit Glacier National Park when you can do everything there is to do and see everything there is to see, it’s hard not to look forward to a summer trip. Going-to-The-Sun Road is typically open by July and by that time all park lodges will also be welcoming guests. Summer highs tend towards the 70s and 80s, but don’t forget your raincoat and something to stave off the wind. During the summer, long rainstorms are common especially at higher elevations. Don’t be ashamed to turn back from a hike early if you see clouds building. Never forget the difference altitude can make on temperature, either. Even if it’s 80 degrees at Lake McDonald, be prepared for 20 or 30 degrees colder at the top of Logan Pass.
Summer vibes are contagious, though. The warmer months are the most popular in the park, with an average of more than 3 million visitors over the last several years. With these added crowds, some additional considerations need to be taken for the summer traveler. In 2025, June 13 through September 28, additional vehicle reservations will be needed for Going-to-The-Sun Road from Lake McDonald, and for the North Fork area of the park. Even given the timed-entry reservation system, parking lots will fill up early, especially on weekends, and the shuttle buses can also be busy. Arrive early in the day and have a Plan B in case your trailhead is full.
Summer is the most popular season to visit the park for a reason. You’ll be able to enjoy all Glacier has to offer, from the historic red bus tours, to hikes to one of the park’s many beautiful lakes. But keep in mind you probably won’t be enjoying it alone. Be considerate of other park visitors and respectful to the rangers that protect these great places, and always keep in mind the principles of Leave No Trace.
Fall (September and October)
Early fall is our favorite time of year to visit Glacier National Park. Picture-perfect autumn days lend themselves to the particular kind of magic this park has to offer. September and early October provide daytime temperatures in the 50s to 60s down low, with nighttime temps only starting to get near freezing. Again, keep in mind that it’s going to be much colder as you ascend into the clouds. Most park facilities stay open through the second or third week of October including Going-to-The-Sun Road which, weather permitting, is typically open until the third week of October. Vehicle reservations are no longer required after September 8 allowing for a bit more freedom in planning your trip.
The secret is out about how great fall is, however. September is the third busiest month in the park, though October does see a substantial decline in visitation. Time your trip just right in late September or early October to see the Western larch cap off the fall colors. This deciduous conifer turns a brilliant gold and loses its needles each autumn. The best place to see these weird trees is on the west side of the park where the colors start mid September. Wildlife is also more active in the fall preparing themselves to get through the winter. Don’t forget to be bear aware and carry bear spray, and always remain at least 100 yards from dangerous wildlife such as bears and moose.
Whenever you choose to visit Glacier National Park, always check the park’s website for the most up to date information regarding road closures and what permits are needed to access different parts of the park.
About the Author
Topher Yanagihara (he/him) is a freelance writer and educator from Denver, Colorado. A curious adventurous sort Topher is always down to try something new, whether it’s a new hike or mountain bike route or a new restaurant in town. An educator by training he is always looking for new ways to help share the things he is passionate about with the world.
Topher earned a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Colorado at Boulder but has done many many things besides. A skilled woodworker, bike mechanic, and barista, he is always down to try something new because it sounds interesting. Topher’s happy place is sitting lakeside by the Lake Crescent Lodge in Olympic National Park, where is yours?