Glacier National Park by Month: Weather, What’s Open & When to Go (2026)
Glacier National Park · every month
Pick a month. Stand in it.
Average temperatures from NOAA, daylight from the sun's math, road and fee dates from the park's own pages. Choose a month and the page changes to what Glacier is actually like then.
average highaverage lowprecipitationsnowhours across the top = daylight
West Glacier, MT, 3,200 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00248809). Tap a column or pick a month below.
Which month are you thinking about?
Showing all twelve months. Pick one and the page becomes that month.
Last updated September 3, 2026 How we research
Glacier is really two parks: a summer park where Going-to-the-Sun Road is open and every trailhead is reachable, and a winter park where the road ends at Lake McDonald and the sound is snowshoes. The months in between are the interesting ones, because that is when the road, the snow, and the crowds all move at once.
The chart shows the whole year. Below it, every month has the same five answers: what the weather feels like, how much daylight you get, what is open, how busy it is, and what to do. The fees, dates, and road rules come from the Glacier fact bank and carry the verification date at the top of the page.
When does it first snow?
At valley level around West Glacier the first significant snow typically arrives in mid-October, which is also when the park closes the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Logan Pass, at 6,646 feet, can see snow in any month of the year. NOAA's normals for West Glacier show measurable snow from October (2 inches) through May (half an inch), with January and December each averaging more than 30 inches.
Glacier National Park in January
January: the quietest month, on snowshoes
Deep snow, short days, and near-total solitude. The road ends at Lake McDonald Lodge and everything past it belongs to skis and snowshoes.
- 30° / 19°avg high / low
- 8.7 hdaylight, 8:23 am to 5:06 pm
- 3.5 inprecipitation, 32 in snow
What’s open
- Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to vehicles beyond Lake McDonald; open on foot, skis, or snowshoes from the west gate.
- Winter entrance rate applies November 1 through April 30: $25 per vehicle.
- No in-park lodges are open. Base in Whitefish, Kalispell, or Essex.
How busy
The least-visited month of the year.
Best for
- solitude
- snowshoeing
What to do
- Ranger-led weekend snowshoe walks from Apgar.
- Ski or snowshoe the plowed-to-here Sun Road along Lake McDonald.
- Track wildlife in fresh snow: eagles, bighorn sheep, wolverine sign on the east side.
- Winter entrance rates (November 1 through April 30) are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
Pack
- Insulated waterproof boots
- Snowshoes or rentals from Apgar
- Hand warmers and a headlamp: dark by 5
Glacier National Park in February
February: still winter, slightly longer days
Cold and snowy with an hour and a half more daylight than January. East-side lows can drop below zero; the west side is milder and wetter.
- 34° / 19°avg high / low
- 10.2 hdaylight, 7:45 am to 5:55 pm
- 2.2 inprecipitation, 16 in snow
What’s open
- Sun Road still closed to vehicles beyond Lake McDonald; non-motorized use from the West Glacier gate.
- Winter entrance rate: $25 per vehicle.
- Belton Chalet in West Glacier is the one lodging that stays open through winter, with a weekend restaurant.
How busy
Weekends bring snowshoe groups; weekdays are empty.
Best for
- skiing
- solitude
What to do
- Weekend snowshoe walks with a ranger from Apgar Visitor Center, rentals available.
- Cross-country ski the closed Sun Road.
- Downhill skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort, half an hour away.
- Winter entrance rates (November 1 through April 30) are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
Pack
- Layers for a 30-degree swing between sun and shade
- Traction for icy lakeshore paths
- Thermos
Glacier National Park in March
March: the last true winter month
Snow still measures in feet, but the sun is back to almost twelve hours and the valleys start to soften. Plowing of the Sun Road begins April 1.
- 42° / 25°avg high / low
- 11.8 hdaylight, 7:52 am to 7:40 pm
- 2.6 inprecipitation, 14 in snow
What’s open
- Sun Road open 11 miles from Apgar to Lake McDonald Lodge on the west side and 1.5 miles from St. Mary on the east; all other roads closed.
- Winter entrance rate: $25 per vehicle. No reservations.
- Zero in-park lodging; Whitefish is 26 miles from the west entrance.
How busy
Quiet. Snowshoe walks continue until mid-month.
Best for
- late-season snow
- quiet
What to do
- Last weekends of ranger snowshoe walks from Apgar.
- Lake McDonald shoreline walks as the ice breaks up.
- Whitefish for spring skiing and a walkable downtown.
- Winter entrance rates (November 1 through April 30) are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
Pack
- Waterproof everything: March can snow hard or turn to rain
- Sunglasses for snow glare
- Microspikes
Glacier National Park in April
April: melt, mud, and bears waking up
Daytime highs climb into the 50s in the valleys and swing 30 degrees from morning to afternoon. The lower trails open as the snow line retreats; the high country is months away.
- 53° / 31°avg high / low
- 13.6 hdaylight, 6:47 am to 8:25 pm
- 2.1 inprecipitation, 3 in snow
What’s open
- Sun Road closed to vehicles while plowing runs April through June; the plowed sections open to cyclists as they clear.
- Winter entrance rate through April 30, then $35 per vehicle from May 1.
- Apgar and St. Mary campgrounds are open with limited services.
How busy
Almost empty. The park is between seasons.
Best for
- cycling the closed road
- empty trails
What to do
- Walk the Apgar area, Lake McDonald shore, and Trail of the Cedars as they clear.
- Bike the plowed Sun Road with no cars on it.
- Watch for grizzlies and black bears coming out of hibernation; carry spray.
- Winter entrance rates (November 1 through April 30) are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
Pack
- Waterproof boots for mud
- Bear spray, from day one
- A real layering system
Glacier National Park in May
May: waterfalls at full roar, the road still yours by bike
Highs in the 60s, lows near freezing, and every waterfall running at peak. The Sun Road is plowed but closed to cars, which makes May the cyclists' month.
- 64° / 39°avg high / low
- 15.2 hdaylight, 5:56 am to 9:08 pm
- 2.6 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Sun Road plowed progressively but closed to vehicles above the valley; the best window for cycling it.
- Entrance $35 per vehicle from May 1. No reservations required in 2026.
- Most lodges and restaurants stay closed until June; plan food in the gateway towns.
How busy
More than 90 percent fewer visitors than peak season.
Best for
- waterfalls
- cycling
- wildlife
What to do
- Avalanche Lake, Apikuni Falls, and the Swiftcurrent nature trail are usually open.
- Bike up the Sun Road as far as the plows have reached.
- Wildflowers at valley level; wildlife everywhere in the low meadows.
- Entrance is $35 per private vehicle for a 7-day pass in summer.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
Pack
- Rain shell
- Bear spray
- Layers for 30-degree daily swings
Glacier National Park in June
June: the rainiest month, and the month the road opens
Valleys reach the mid-60s while Logan Pass stays near 40 with snow possible. June is the wettest month by NOAA's numbers, and the month the alpine road finally opens.
- 70° / 45°avg high / low
- 16.1 hdaylight, 5:33 am to 9:39 pm
- 3.8 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Going-to-the-Sun Road fully opened for the 2026 season on June 22; the alpine section typically runs late June to mid-October.
- No vehicle reservations anywhere in the park in 2026.
- There is no Logan Pass shuttle in June; the ticketed shuttle starts July 1.
How busy
Builds through the month; late June is busy at the pass.
Best for
- long days
- waterfalls
- first alpine access
What to do
- Early June: lower trails, waterfalls, and wildlife.
- Late June: drive the full Sun Road and reach Logan Pass.
- Nearly 16 hours of daylight for evening hikes and photography.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road fully opened for the 2026 season on June 22.
- The alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road typically runs late June to mid-October, with no fixed fall closing date; NPS closes it when snow arrives.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
- There is no Glacier shuttle service in June; the Logan Pass shuttle does not run before July 1.
Pack
- Rain shell and warm layers for the pass
- Bear spray
- Sunscreen: the sun is strong even under cloud
Glacier National Park in July
July: peak season, wildflowers, and the parking rules that come with it
Highs near 80 in the valleys and 15 to 20 degrees cooler at Logan Pass. Everything is open, the wildflowers peak, and the crowds arrive with them.
- 80° / 50°avg high / low
- 15.8 hdaylight, 5:49 am to 9:34 pm
- 1.4 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Sun Road fully open. No vehicle reservations in 2026.
- Logan Pass parking limited to 3 hours from July 1 through September 7, enforced around the clock.
- The ticketed Logan Pass shuttle runs July 1 through September 7, $1 per person on Recreation.gov.
How busy
Peak. The Logan Pass lot fills early and the 3-hour limit starts July 1.
Best for
- wildflowers
- every trail open
What to do
- Hidden Lake Overlook and the Highline Trail from Logan Pass, early.
- Wildflowers peak early to mid July at mid elevations and late July up high.
- Many Glacier for grizzlies, goats, and moose.
- Logan Pass parking is first-come, limited to 3 hours from July 1 through September 7, 2026, enforced 24 hours a day.
- The 2026 Logan Pass shuttle is a ticketed express service, July 1 through September 7, $1 per person on Recreation.gov.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
- There is no fuel on Going-to-the-Sun Road, roughly 33 miles with no gas stations between the service areas at either end.
Pack
- A shuttle ticket if you want more than 3 hours at the pass
- Bear spray
- Sun protection and 2 liters of water per person
Glacier National Park in August
August: the driest month, the busiest month, and the one we know first-hand
Around 80 in the valleys, 60s in the alpine, nights in the 50s, and almost no rain. The trade-off is that August is the park's busiest month, and late-summer smoke from Canada can haze the views.
- 79° / 48°avg high / low
- 14.4 hdaylight, 6:28 am to 8:53 pm
- 1.2 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Sun Road fully open all month; no vehicle reservations.
- Logan Pass 3-hour parking limit and the $1 ticketed shuttle both run through September 7.
- All major trails open: Highline, Grinnell Glacier, Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook.
How busy
Busiest month of the year. Arrive at trailheads before 7 or after 3:30.
Best for
- swimming
- dry weather
- the full itinerary
What to do
- Swim: Lake McDonald is the warmest, Avalanche Lake is cold, Cracker Lake is the coldest by far, and all three are swimmable.
- Rent a boat on Lake McDonald and dock at the lodge; sunset beats sunrise on the water.
- Beargrass along the Garden Wall through late August; grizzlies in the Many Glacier berry fields.
- Logan Pass parking is first-come, limited to 3 hours from July 1 through September 7, 2026, enforced 24 hours a day.
- The 2026 Logan Pass shuttle is a ticketed express service, July 1 through September 7, $1 per person on Recreation.gov.
- Last westbound shuttle from Logan Pass departs 7:30 pm; last eastbound departs 8:00 pm.
- There is no fuel on Going-to-the-Sun Road, roughly 33 miles with no gas stations between the service areas at either end.
Pack
- Bear spray, about forty dollars at the Walmart in the valley towns
- A water filter instead of bottled water
- A swimsuit
Glacier National Park in September
September: the same park with far fewer cars
Highs in the 60s at West Glacier, 10 to 15 degrees cooler at the pass, and a sharp drop in crowds after Labor Day. Snow can dust the low country by mid-month.
- 68° / 41°avg high / low
- 12.7 hdaylight, 7:11 am to 7:51 pm
- 2.0 inprecipitation
What’s open
- Sun Road stays fully open all September.
- Logan Pass parking limit and the ticketed shuttle end September 7; after that, no shuttle and no limit.
- Many campgrounds go first-come, first-served; some visitor centers close late in the month.
How busy
Falls sharply after Labor Day.
Best for
- fewer crowds
- hiking
- early color
What to do
- Every summer hike, without the summer wait.
- Larches begin turning by mid-September; peak color is October.
- Bears, bighorn sheep, and goats are highly active as fall feeding begins.
- The 2026 Logan Pass shuttle is a ticketed express service, July 1 through September 7, $1 per person on Recreation.gov.
- Logan Pass parking is first-come, limited to 3 hours from July 1 through September 7, 2026, enforced 24 hours a day.
- The alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road typically runs late June to mid-October, with no fixed fall closing date; NPS closes it when snow arrives.
Pack
- Layers for frost at dawn and 60s by noon
- Bear spray
- A plan for closed restaurants after mid-month
Glacier National Park in October
October: golden larches and a road that closes
Highs around 50 early in the month sliding into the 30s by the end. Larches go gold mid-month, the same window the park closes the alpine road when snow arrives.
- 52° / 33°avg high / low
- 10.9 hdaylight, 7:54 am to 6:49 pm
- 3.0 inprecipitation, 2 in snow
What’s open
- The alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road closes when snow arrives, with no fixed date; historically around the third Monday of October.
- No vehicle reservations; drive to Logan Pass while it is open.
- Most in-park lodges close by mid-October. Base in Whitefish or West Glacier.
How busy
Thin, and thinner every week.
Best for
- fall color
- wildlife
- quiet
What to do
- Golden larches, most concentrated on the west side and along Highway 2 south of the park.
- Bears in hyperphagia: wildlife sightings are outstanding.
- One last Sun Road drive before the gate closes.
- The alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road typically runs late June to mid-October, with no fixed fall closing date; NPS closes it when snow arrives.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
Pack
- Waterproof layers
- Traction for the first icy mornings
- A backup plan for a closed road
Glacier National Park in November
November: the door closes, the snow begins
Highs in the upper 30s, lows in the 20s, and about 16 inches of snow at West Glacier. The road is open from the west entrance to Avalanche Creek and gated beyond.
- 37° / 26°avg high / low
- 9.3 hdaylight, 7:43 am to 4:59 pm
- 3.2 inprecipitation, 16 in snow
What’s open
- Sun Road open from the west entrance to Avalanche Creek only; gated beyond.
- Winter entrance rate begins November 1: $25 per vehicle.
- All in-park lodging closed; Apgar Visitor Center restrooms stay open.
How busy
Empty.
Best for
- solitude
- first snow
What to do
- Snowshoe or ski the closed Sun Road as the snow builds.
- Wildlife viewing in the low valleys: elk and deer move down.
- Whitefish, 24 miles from the gate, has the beds and dinners.
- Winter entrance rates (November 1 through April 30) are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
Pack
- Insulated boots
- Headlamp: sunset is before 5
- Chains or winter tires
Glacier National Park in December
December: the Lake McDonald winter park
Highs just under 30, lows around 20, and more than 30 inches of snow at West Glacier. The whole park is the 11-mile drive to Lake McDonald Lodge and everything you can reach on skis from there.
- 29° / 20°avg high / low
- 8.3 hdaylight, 8:21 am to 4:41 pm
- 3.2 inprecipitation, 31 in snow
What’s open
- Only the west side is driveable: West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge, about 11 miles.
- Winter entrance rate: $25 per vehicle. No shuttle, no reservation system.
- Apgar Visitor Center opens weekends only; all lodges closed. Ranger snowshoe walks start late December.
How busy
Near-total solitude, especially on weekdays.
Best for
- snow
- solitude
- skiing nearby
What to do
- Snowshoe and cross-country ski from Apgar and along the lake.
- The scenic Lake McDonald drive in snow.
- Winter wildlife: elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, and goats. Bears are denned.
- Winter entrance rates (November 1 through April 30) are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person.
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026.
Pack
- Full winter kit
- Snowshoes or Apgar rentals on ranger walk days
- Thermos and hand warmers
Which month is yours?
Questions people ask about Glacier’s seasons
What is the best month to visit Glacier National Park?
August if you want every trail open and the warmest lakes, September if you want the same park with far fewer cars, and October if you want larch color and are willing to lose the alpine road when snow arrives. July is the peak for wildflowers and crowds alike.
When is the best time to visit Glacier to avoid crowds?
September after Labor Day keeps the full Sun Road with a sharp drop in traffic, and the Logan Pass parking limit ends September 7. May has more than 90 percent fewer visitors than peak season but the road is closed to cars above the valley. Within any summer day, arrive at trailheads before 7 or after 3:30.
When does Going-to-the-Sun Road open and close?
The alpine section typically runs late June to mid-October. In 2026 the full road opened June 22. There is no fixed closing date; the park closes it when snow arrives, historically around the third Monday of October.
When does it first snow in Glacier National Park?
Significant snow typically reaches the valleys in mid-October. NOAA's normals for West Glacier show 2 inches in October, 16 in November, and more than 30 in each of December and January. Logan Pass can see snow in any month.
Is Glacier National Park open in winter?
Yes. The park is open year-round at the winter rate of $25 per vehicle from November 1 through April 30. Driving is limited to the west side from West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge, and the closed Sun Road becomes a ski and snowshoe route. No lodges inside the park are open.
What are the average temperatures in Glacier by month?
At West Glacier, NOAA normals run from a January high of 30 and low of 19 to a July high of 80 and low of 50. Logan Pass runs 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the valleys in summer.
August carries the site owner's own field notes from a late-August 2024 trip. Every other month is built from NOAA normals, the sun's position, and the park's published dates, not from a visit, and the page says so where it matters. Fees, dates, and road rules come from the Glacier fact bank, last fully verified August 28, 2026. Temperatures: West Glacier, MT, 3,200 ft (NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station USC00248809).
