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Best time to visit Glacier National Park

The sweet spot for Glacier National Park is July–September; the heaviest crowds hit in Jul–Aug. Below is the honest month-by-month picture — crowds, real temperatures and what each month actually feels like.

Month-by-month visiting conditions for Glacier National Park
MonthVerdictTemps °FCrowdsWhat the month is like
January Tough 30° / 18° very quiet Most roads closed; quiet snowshoe country
February Tough 34° / 19° very quiet
March Tough 42° / 24° very quiet Snow lingers; Sun Road plowing begins
April Shoulder 53° / 31° very quiet Lower valleys melt out; cyclists ride the car-free Sun Road
May Shoulder 63° / 38° quiet Waterfalls roar; the alpine is still buried
June Good 71° / 44° busy Long days; Sun Road usually opens late June – early July
Julynow Best window 79° / 47° peak crowds The alpine opens — wildflowers line the Highline
August Best window 79° / 46° peak crowds Prime hiking; wildfire smoke possible late month
September Best window 68° / 39° moderate Golden larch begins; bears feed hard; crowds fade
October Shoulder 53° / 31° quiet Sun Road closes with the first real storm
November Tough 37° / 26° very quiet
December Tough 30° / 19° very quiet

CROWDS: RELATIVE SEASONALITY FROM NPS VISITATION STATISTICS · TEMPS: APPROXIMATE NOAA NORMALS AT MAIN VISITOR ELEVATION — HIGH COUNTRY RUNS 10–20°F COLDER

BEFORE YOU PICK DATES

Glacier National Park needs reservations

⏱️
Timed-entry reservation

Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation · summer season

Official booking site ↗
📋
Permit required

Backcountry camping · advance lottery opens mid-March

Official booking site ↗

Watch these windows on the Deadline Radar →

RIGHT NOW IN THE PARK

Tonight: 56°F · Patchy Smoke · Safe to go check →

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