When Is the Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park?

By Alice Ross | NORTH AMERICA

Sep 04
best time to visit glacier national park

It's common wisdom that if you don’t like the weather somewhere, then you should just wait for it to change. Amazingly, that doesn't really apply when it comes to this spot! Indeed, any time of the year can really be the best time to visit Glacier National Park, as every season brings something different to enjoy. So, finding the right time for you to visit depends on what activities you are planning to engage in.

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Why visit Glacier National Park?

If you’re into nature and outdoor activities, Glacier National Park is one of the very best places in the world to experience those. The park is located in the stunning Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana, which extend into Canada. It is considered one of the best of its kind in the United States. It's a must-visit if you're into hiking, fishing, water sports, or cycling, and you'll also love it if you like photographing wildlife and landscapes.

It's the largest ecosystem in North America!

Glacier National Park is not only the most intact, but also the largest ecosystem in North America. There are more than 50 glaciers inside the park, as well as over 200 streams and lakes. Lake MacDonald is the biggest lake in the park. And most of the bodies of water you will find here are home to a large variety of fishes.

Glacier National Park

If you're visiting Glacier National Park mostly to hike, there are many good trails to enjoy. After all, this is the most popular activity in the park! Keep in mind however that Glacier National Park is home to wild grizzly bears. Make sure to bring bear spray with you and keep it at hand. It's also a good idea to read this comprehensive bear safety guide before you visit.

It's always changing!

The landscapes and nature of Glacier National Park are in constant evolution. The glaciers you can find inside the park today are all new, as they were formed within the last few years. Nowadays, they are starting to shrink, as more snow melts every year than accumulates each winter. Because of climate change, the glaciers in the park have built up and melted away over and over again. This is a normal cycle that has been repeated over millions of years, and you can witness a part of this ongoing process when visiting.

Glacier National Park goat

You can live your best Snow White dream

The park is a heaven for wildlife. Even though there are a lot of species for you to be excited about, animals particularly popular among visitors include mule deer, mountain goats, moose, elks, grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, and different types of birds and rodents. If you're interested in spotting wildlife, Glacier National Park won't disappoint.

Meanwhile, if you're a fishing aficionado, then you have chances of catching bull trouts, brook trouts, cutthroat trouts, rainbow trouts, lake trouts, and rainbow trouts.

So, when is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?

For many, the best time to visit Glacier National Park is from early May to mid-September. These months are perfect for rafting, hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and backpacking. This is the time when the snow starts to melt, you get a lot of sunshine, and the rain stops pouring.

Spring may be the best time to visit Glacier National Park, especially between the beginning of May and the latter part of June. Visiting the park in spring season comes with a lot of pros. Spring flowers are starting to bloom, waterfalls are at their fullest, animals are waking up from their hibernation, and it’s not yet very crowded.

Top tip: My favorite way to explore the park from from May to September is on the water! I had a blast on this Half-Day Whitewater Rafting trip, a fun adventure that combines some thrills with sightseeing and opportunities to learn about the park's flora and fauna from an interpretive guide. The rapids are grade II to III and the ride starts on a mellower part of the river, which makes it perfect for beginners who need time to learn to paddle first AND experienced rafters alike!

Do you prefer a less sporty water activity? For a more relaxing experience, I highly recommend booking a Scenic Float Trip. This tour gives you the chance to unwind and learn about the park from your guide while gliding on a peaceful stretch of the Flathead River. It's perfect for every age and ability.

 Make the most of Glacier National Park on one of my favorite tours!

Weather in Glacier National Park

snow in glacier park

From the late part of October until the month of May and sometimes up to June, you must prepare yourself to face cold weather. June is rainy season, and most trails are still covered in snow at that time. The sunniest months are July and August.

You can still expect to have a pleasant experience if you visit the park in September. It is usually a less crowded month, and the weather is still enjoyable as snow hasn’t started falling yet. If you want to see Glacier National Park in its winter wonderland form, then plan a trip at least as late as mid-October.

The park receives heavy snowfall in the month of November. The climate in the park in that season is typically wet and windy. Make sure to be prepared for changing weather, and take care to pack the right clothes for the season.

Visiting Glacier National Park in winter can be challenging because of the weather conditions. On the other hand, you'll be able to avoid the crowds and to enjoy epic snowy scenery! Snow sports enthusiasts will also be delighted by the range of winter activities on offer, from skiing to snowshoeing, dog sledding, or ice fishing.

Keep in mind that year-round, nights are much colder than daytime, so, it is smart to pack layered clothes. This is especially important if you are planning to do some hiking, or if you're going to stay in lodgings at an elevation.

How to avoid tourist crowds

It’s not surprising that the number of people visiting the park gets higher and higher every year. The number of visitors coming to the park to enjoy the activities it has to offer has been increasing from year to year, especially during the summer months. This translates into congested parking lots and busy hiking trails.

Aside from going to the less interesting attractions during peak season, you have three main options if you want to avoid the large crowds:

Go in the Fall

best time to visit Glacier National Park in fall

The month of September is a great time to avoid the crowds, once the very busy Labor Day weekend has passed. You don’t have to compromise on the weather either, as this time of the year still offers pleasant temperatures and no snow. Most of the roads are still open and you can enjoy most attractions and services until the middle of September, or even up to the end of the month in some areas.

The first two weeks of September are already much more relaxed and quieter than July and August, so this time of the year could be the best time to visit Glacier National Park for some. As much as possible, go mid-week. It will be even less crowded, and the weather should still be pleasant from the mid-part of September until late October. This makes it a perfect time for hiking.

However, keep in mind that most of the accommodations in the park are closed by the end of of September. So, instead of wasting your time searching for a place to stay inside the park, look for a hotel or lodging outside. Click here to browse a wide range of accommodation options in and around the park.

Note: If you’re visiting the park during the spring season, you may want to cancel your hiking plans. While temperatures are usually pleasant, trails are often covered with snow until the month of June.

Go as early as possible

Grinnell Glacier

If you cannot or do not want to visit Glacier National Park in the spring or fall, don’t worry. There is a surefire way to avoid the heavy flow of tourists: getting to your points of interest as early as possible. No matter how popular a spot or trail is, if you get there early – say, around 8:00 AM –, then you will be able to enjoy the place without too many people.

I experienced this myself. Personally, I hiked Grinnell Glacier at 7 o’clock in the morning and I had the whole place to myself! However, I stumbled upon quite a lot of people going back. The park usually starts being busy at around 9:00 AM. This is something you should keep in mind and plan around.

Go quite late

Can’t go too early? Then do it the other way around: go later than others! If you're looking for an afternoon hike that will allow you to avoid the heavy crowds, then start your hike between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Although shorter hikes are more ideal at that time, you can expect the trails to be less crowded.

Redrock Falls

Some of the best trails for shorter hikes include Redrock Falls, Virginia Falls, and Hidden Lake Overlook. You can also consider starting your scenic drive later in the day. After all, wouldn’t it be great to watch the sunset as you drive?


Summary

The activities you can do in Glacier National Park vary a lot with the season. For this reason, it’s smart to consider the activities you are planning to do ahead of your trip and to plan around them.

There could be a sudden change of weather, a change in river levels, or unexpected trail closures, so always keep an eye on the weather and the time you are planning to visit the park. Always be prepared for what may happen. Again, make sure to pack the right type of clothing according to the weather. And if possible, always bring extra layers.

when is the best time to visit Glacier National Park

Hopefully, the information in this article helped you to determine when is the best time to visit Glacier National Park for you. Once again, the best time always depends on the activities you are planning to do when you get there and how busy or quiet of an experience you want to have.

If you have other questions about the park that this article failed to answer, don’t hesitate to ask us in a comment below. If you find this article helpful, make sure to share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or any of your other social media!

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Alice Ross, a long-term traveler who left the corporate world to travel the world. I chose to live life on my own phase and live day by day while immersing myself in new experiences, new knowledge, and new people in a different walk of life I met along the way.

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