Best Time To Visit Glacier National Park | A Guide for 2024

Glacier National Park is as picturesque as they come, with dazzling lakes, alpine meadows, melting glaciers, and carved valleys. So, if you’re wondering, “When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?” you’ve come to the right place.

As a nature lover’s haven and photographer’s dream come true, Glacier National Park is absolutely worth it. However, you’d want to be there when the park is at its best. Whether you’re going for scenery or adventure, the timing is key. 

So, keep reading if you want to know more about what Glacier National Park is like according to each season and the best activities during these specific times. 

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How to Get to Glacier National Park

If you’re taking a road trip to Glacier National Park, you can enter from either the east or west. All three eastern entrances are accessed via Highway 89 North. You’ll travel from Great Falls through the town of Browning (approximately 125 miles). Then, follow the signs along the highway to reach East Glacier.   

If you want to enter from the west, you need to get on Highway 2 East to the town of West Glacier (approximately 33 miles from Kalispell). This road gives you access to the Apgar Visitor Center, the Lake McDonald area, and the Going-to-the-Sun-Road. 

If you need to fly in, there are airports near the park’s entrances. You can then travel from there using a rental car or taxi. Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) is near Kalispell, about 30 miles west of the West Entrance. Then, Missoula International Airport (MSO) is about 150 miles south of the West Entrance.

Best Time to Go to Glacier National Park

The best time of year to visit Glacier National Park differs for everyone. The best time for you depends on what you want to prioritize. Do you prefer exploring the outdoors in summer or winter? Do you want to capture the stunning fall foliage? Would you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices?

Ultimately, you’ll either sacrifice the best weather or the best prices. The overall best time for Glacier National Park is in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall). You’ll experience fewer crowds than in the summer months and a less extreme environment with fewer seasonal closures compared to winter. 

To experience great weather, lovely hiking, camping, and epic wildlife sightings, you’d want to go between mid-June and September (summer). The temperatures will be warmer but comfortable enough to explore the entire park. However, summer does fall in the high season, so you can expect more foot traffic and higher accommodation prices.

If you want to avoid these, then you’re better off visiting during the low season from November through April (winter). At this time, you can save money on hotels, flights, and rental cars, which is ideal if you’re traveling on a tight budget. 

Worst Time to Go to Glacier National Park

Now that you know Glacier National Park’s best time to visit, it only makes sense to consider the worst time to go. The worst time to visit Glacier is during winter since most park services and all in-park lodging shut down for the season. The glaciers are frozen over, trails and roads are closed, and the wildlife is in hibernation, so you won’t have much to see besides snow.

On the other hand, for some visitors, summer may be the worst time to go. Yes, the weather is warm and pleasant, the trails are open, and the animals are out. But, so are the hordes of crowds. 

If you’re the type who prefers peace and quiet while exploring the great outdoors, you’ll find the summer months too busy. The entrance fees are also a bit higher in summer, along with other factors like accommodation, transport, etc.

Next Read: Whether visiting in late June or mid-winter, here’s an in-depth guide to where to stay in Glacier National Park.

Visiting Glacier National Park in Spring

Spring offers one of the best times to see Glacier National Park. It’s a beautiful and quiet time, but visitors should be more self-sufficient since very few park services open in early spring. Also, lodging will be limited, and not all roads will be open during this shoulder season. 

Many of the roads will still be closed due to snow coverage, and plowing begins in late March on the east side of the park. Then, at the beginning of April, plow crews turn their focus to Going-to-the-Sun Road. This process can take two to three months to complete. 

In terms of weather, cooler temperatures and rainy days are common, but overall it will be warmer, averaging around 40°F (4°C). Expect lows of 19°F to 33°F (-7° to 1°C) to highs of 39° to 55°F (4°C to 13°C) throughout the season. The increase of warm weather and moisture from the rain makes way for lush flora.   

Things to Do in Glacier National Park in Spring 

Spring is all about the stunning scenery that comes to life after the park has been blanketed in snow. The flowers are blooming again, the lakes are melting — it’s a wonderful time to visit Glacier Park. Here are some must-do springtime things to do in Glacier National Park. 

Watch the Sunset at Hidden Lake Overlook

• Mileage: 2.7 miles (out-and-back)
• Elevation Gain: 551 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Hidden Lake Overlook offers gorgeous, panoramic views of a shimmering blue lake, snow-capped peaks, lush greenery, and wildlife like big horn sheep and goats. 

You can hike to the overlook via this one-hour, 20-minute Hidden Lake Trail. The trail is pretty rocky, with some steep sections, and quite slippery, depending on the season. 

Camping and Wildlife Viewing at Apgar Village 

Apgar is one of the main villages in Glacier National Park. It’s located near the west entrance, south of Lake McDonald. It’s a popular spot for camping and offers serene and scenic surroundings. Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife present here, and don’t miss the view of Lake McDonald from the shoreline in Apgar. 

Take on a Challenging Day Hike

• Mileage: 14.9 miles (out-and-back)
• Elevation Gain: 2621 feet
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trail Guide: Link 

If you’re looking for a stunning Glacier National Park hike that will test your strength, durability, and patience, you can’t go wrong with the Highline Trail. This strenuous hike takes a whopping seven hours to complete but remains one of the most popular day hikes in the park. 

Dotted with wildflowers, waterfalls, and rivers and frequented by wildlife, this trail is truly a feast for the eyes come spring.  

Visiting Glacier National Park in Summer

The sun is out, the animals are frolicking about, and the glaciers are glimmering. Summer is truly amazing and the best time to hike Glacier National Park. June is the wettest month, so pack your lightweight rain jacket just in case. Then, July and August are the warmest and sunniest months to visit, with average temperatures ranging between 60° – 70°F (15.5° – 21°C). 

Occasionally, you’ll encounter super hot days reaching upwards of 90°F (32°C). So, make sure you have a refillable water bottle, a hat, and sunblock. This is peak season, so the crowds will be thick, but at least the park services and lodgings are operational. All the trails and roads are also typically open, including the Going-to-the-Sun Road.  

Things to Do in Glacier National Park in Summer 

This is now the time to discover some of the top hiking trails during summer. You’ll have far fewer restrictions holding you back from exploring every inch of Glacier.     

Hike to Iceberg Lake

• Mileage: 9.5 miles (out-and-back)
• Elevation Gain: 1,459 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link 

There’s a lake in Glacier Park that constantly has ice on it, aptly named Iceberg Lake. So, it only makes sense to see it with your own eyes, right? Well, you can hop on this four-hour Iceberg Lake trail to get there. It’s rocky, slippery, and often covered in snow, so come prepared with the right gear. 

Drive or Cycle the Going-to-the-Sun Road 

There are scenic drives, then there’s Going-to-the-Sun. It’s a breathtaking 50-mile-long drive you’ll never forget. The journey starts by traveling up through the Rocky Mountains, then over the continental divide. As you drive, you’ll gaze upon cascading waterfalls, striking mountain views, and wildlife.   

Visiting Glacier National Park in the Fall

The best months to visit Glacier National Park for fall foliage are in the fall. With fewer crowds, wildlife spotting, and vibrant colors, you can’t go wrong with this season. Thanks to the brilliant golden, red, and orange hues, it becomes a fantastic time for nature photography.  

You’ll start to notice the changing of colors in the trees by mid-September. Then, the last color change occurs in mid-October, when the fall foliage is at its full display. The temperatures will start to cool down, and you’ll experience higher gusts (upwards of 60 miles per hour) compared to summer. 

Pack extra insulating layers to stay warm, as the average daily temperature will range between lows of 21°F and 39°F (-6°C to 4°C). The highest temperatures for these months will be around 50°F to 59°F (10°C to 15°C). Expect heavy rainfall during this season, especially in November, with about 19 days of rain.  

On the bright side, most services are fully available, and the fall scenery is magical. 

Things to Do in Glacier National Park in the Fall

Fall is all about scenery and foliage with a heavy dose of tranquility. Here are some fall-time activities you can’t miss. 

Hunt Down the Best Fall Colors

If you’re a budding photographer, you’ll love capturing the dramatic change to vivid colors thanks to this transitional period. The best spots to chase these colors include Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier Road, Two Medicine Road, and Looking Glass Highway. 

Go Camping and Stargazing 

Set up camp at one of the many charming campgrounds around the park and admire the starry skies above. Since Glacier is a designated Dark Sky Park, so the stargazing is nothing but impressive. The top camping sites include Kintla, St. Mary, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Apgar, and Bowman. 

Experience Glacier on Horseback

Thanks to Swan Mountain Oufitter’s century-long tradition of trail riding, you can now experience the Glacier in a unique and memorable way. It’s a family-friendly activity that ends mid-October, so make sure you get there before then. 

Visiting Glacier National Park in Winter

As the temperatures drop to freezing and the snow starts to fall, Glacier becomes a winter wonderland with little sign of life. While almost all services, visitor centers, and in-park lodgings shut down, you don’t have to worry about the crowds. And going in winter will be lighter on your pocket.     

The prices for accommodation, rental cars, and flights will drop along with the entrance passes for Glacier Park. For example, the per-person entry fee drops to $15 from $20 and from $35 to $25 for a seven-day private vehicle pass. The Going-to-the-Sun Road won’t be accessible along with many other trails and roads, but it’s a splendid time for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. 

Moving on to the weather. The average daily temperatures range between 14°F to 32°F (-10°C to 0°C). January and February are the coldest months, often dipping as low as -40°F (-40°C). November is the wettest month, with 19 days of rainfall and snowfall reaching 225 inches and more.   

Things to Do in Glacier National Park in Winter 

Last but not least, winter may be sleepy and quiet, but it still packs a punch for fun outdoor adventures. 

Cross-country Ski or Snowshoe on Glacier’s Closed Roads

Almost all of Glacier is shut down and blanketed in snow and ice. This means it’s time to bring out your snowshoes and ski gear. Abbott Ridge Trail is probably the best snowshoe trail in the park. Apgar, McDonald and Avalanche Creeks, Marias Pass, and Polebridge are great areas for skiing. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Times to Visit Glacier National Park

The best time of year to go to Glacier National Park depends on you, your budget, and what activities you plan on doing. Generally speaking, the shoulder seasons are the best time to go as they offer stunning scenery, cool weather, reasonable prices, and fewer crowds. 

Summer allows you to hike every trail and cross all roads, with visitor centers, hotels, and services fully operational. Fall becomes a magical oasis of vibrant colors and wildlife wandering about while spring blooms with new life as the snow melts. Finally, winter is the key to a budget-friendly trip packed with snow-filled adventures. 

Ultimately, when to go to Glacier National Park is not a one-size-fits-all, but you’ll have a lot to look forward to regardless of the month or season. 

Next Up: Discover the best 3-day Glacier National Park itinerary. 

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