Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in northwest Montana is known for Going-to-the-Sun Road, glacier-carved valleys and grizzly country, and it suits hikers and scenic drivers.
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Glacier National Park sits in northwest Montana, on the border with Canada, where it joins Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. The park is known for glacier-carved valleys, deep blue lakes such as Lake McDonald, and Going-to-the-Sun Road, which climbs over Logan Pass on the Continental Divide. Wildlife is a major draw. The park is home to grizzly bears and black bears, so you should learn bear safety before you set out on a trail.
The trip suits hikers, scenic drivers and wildlife watchers more than a city-break traveler. Summer is the main season, but the high road and higher trails can stay closed into early summer while snow melts, so check current conditions before you book flights or lodging. A two- or three-day visit covers the main road and valleys. Plan longer if you want to hike the longer trails or spend time on the lakes.
Glacier National Park in five
- Check Going-to-the-Sun Road statusThe road crosses Logan Pass and opens fully only after crews clear the snow, usually in early summer, then closes again when snow returns in autumn. Check the park's road status page before you book lodging.
- Budget the $100 nonresident feeGlacier is one of 11 parks that charge non-US residents 16 and over $100 each, on top of the $35 summer vehicle fee. An annual pass can pay off if you add Grand Teton or Yellowstone.The nonresident fee
- Confirm the reservation rules for your datesThe park's 2026 page says no vehicle reservations are required anywhere in the park. Rules have changed in past years, so check the official page again before you travel.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use itGlacier is grizzly and black bear country. Carry bear spray where you can reach it, hike in a group, make noise on trails and follow ranger advice on closures.
- Pick a side for each nightWest Glacier and Whitefish serve Lake McDonald; St Mary and East Glacier serve Many Glacier. Crossing on the road takes at least two hours, so plan one side per night.
Things to do in Glacier National Park
See all attractions in Glacier National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- $35 per vehicle in summer, 7 days; non-US residents 16+ add $100 each Read more
- Permits
- No vehicle reservation in 2026; backcountry camping needs a permit
- Season
- Full road usually open early summer to autumn; check road status
- Nearest town
- West Glacier, Columbia Falls, Whitefish; St Mary on the east
- Getting there
- Glacier Park Intl (FCA) about 30 miles away; Amtrak Empire Builder
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow16 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-9°Snow, road closedJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 9
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, road closed
- FebruarySnow18 rainy days10 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-11°Snow, quietFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- -3°
- Low
- -11°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 10
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- MarchSnow16 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh3°Low-6°Snow, quietMarchSnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- AprilRain15 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh7°Low-3°Thaw, mudAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, mud
- MayRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low2°Lower trails openMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Lower trails open
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low6°Snow, waterfallsJuneRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, waterfalls
- JulyClear5 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low11°Road open, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Road open, busy
- AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low10°Peak seasonAugustClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak season
- SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Fewer crowds, colorSeptemberClear
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fewer crowds, color
- OctoberRain14 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh9°Low0°Cold, road closesOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, road closes
- NovemberSnow17 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh2°Low-4°Snow, quietNovemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 193 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 9
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
- DecemberSnow19 rainy days13 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-8°Snow, quietDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 243 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 13
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, quiet
Average daily high and low in West Glacier, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Glacier National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Glacier National Park
01:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today6°1°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue12°1°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed11°1°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu7°1°29%Thursday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Fri8°1°37%Friday: Fog. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Sat10°0°25%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sun12°2°23%Sunday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 23%.
Updated 09:41 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Glacier National Park
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Rules for Glacier National Park, checked
- Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay a $100 fee on top of the entrance pass, unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
- The park lists $35 per vehicle in summer ($25 Nov 1 to Apr 30), valid 7 days, and says no vehicle reservations are required in 2026.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around Glacier National Park
Parks, cities, entry rules and money for a US trip
Read the guideGrand Teton National ParkAnother Northern Rockies park with the same $100 fee
Read the guideYellowstone National ParkGeysers, wildlife and the nonresident fee
Read the guideBozeman and Gallatin ValleyA Montana gateway on the way to Yellowstone
Read the guide$100 national parks feeWhich parks charge non-US residents and the $250 pass
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it, what it costs and how to apply
Read the guideGlacier National Park FAQ
Do you need a reservation for Glacier National Park?
For 2026, the park's fees page says no vehicle reservations are required in any area. Rules have changed before, and campgrounds and backcountry trips still need their own reservations or permits, so check the official page for your dates.
When does Going-to-the-Sun Road open?
Usually in early summer, once snow is cleared, and it closes in autumn when snow returns. Dates change every year, so check the park's road status page before you book lodging for late June or October.
How much does Glacier cost for international visitors?
$35 per vehicle in summer, plus $100 per person aged 16 and over for non-US residents, unless you hold an annual pass. A $250 non-resident annual pass covers both fees and pays off across several parks.
How many days do you need in Glacier?
Two full days covers Going-to-the-Sun Road and a hike on each side. Three or four days lets you add Many Glacier and a longer trail. Allow extra time if snow or smoke changes your plans.
Glacier or Yellowstone for a first trip?
Glacier suits hikers who want alpine lakes and fewer crowds. Yellowstone suits visitors who want geysers and wildlife viewing from the car. Both charge the nonresident fee, and they are a long drive apart.