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Glacier National Park

RED LODGE POST

What is the weather like in Glacier National Park? How crowded is the park? And when do visitors arrive? Savvy visitors usually  weigh all three factors when timing their visit to Glacier. Data in the charts below is useful for planning a trip to Glacier.

 

Glacier park weather
Weather at West Glacier, Montana. Chart courtesy NPS.

Data in this chart is for West Glacier, Montana, at 3,200 feet in elevation. This weather station is at the west entrance to Glacier National Park. At Logan Pass, along Going-to-the-Sun Road, inside the park, the elevation is 6,647 feet. Expect much cooler temperatures at Logan Pass, as temperatures decrease with increasing elevation.




During July and August, the weather is very pleasant with comfortable, warm, daytime highs and cool nights. As can be expected for northerly latitudes, average daytime highs are still nice in June and September. In May and October, however, it’s time to wear cold weather clothing.

With average low temperatures in the 40s or less in every month, extra clothing is always a necessity.

Most visitors to the park arrive from May through September.  The peak months are July and August, with somewhat fewer visitors in June and September. Earlier and later in the season, the number of visitors is low. The park’s opening and closing, plus the weather are big factors in the number of visitors going to the park. And, of course, mid-summer is when many Americans and others hit the trail.

During the peak tourist season, Glacier National Park gets very crowded. Only one road, Going-to-the-Sun Road, runs through the Park. In a word, think traffic. It’s not uncommon for NPS to report that Apgar parking lot near Lake McDonald is full early in the day. NPS on its Website says, “Expect crowding and congestion in many areas of the park. Plan accordingly.”

 

Visitors Glacier NP
Visitors Glacier National Park 2019. Chart courtesy NPS.

Data in the chart show visitors to Glacier National Park in 2019. The table provides statistics for categories of use and by month. Annual totals for each category of use:

  • Recreation visitors (3,049,839)
  • Non-recreation visitors (13,103)
  • Concession lodging (119,960)
  • Tent campers (118,181)
  • RV campers (126,099)
  • Concession camping (0)
  • Backcountry campers (34,759)
  • Misc. campers (926)
  • Total overnight stays (399,924)

Many visitors choose to stays in tents or RVs. This arrangement puts visitors close to nature. The National Park Service provides wonderful campgrounds to accommodate. Tents and RVs are  expected as regular lodging is limited inside the park. And the lodging, such as Many Glacier Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge, may be too expensive for some family budgets.

Some Facts About Glacier (source: NPS)

  • number of glaciers: 26
  • number of lakes: 762
  • number of species of mammals: 71
  • number of species of birds: 276
  • number of mountains: 175
  • number of class A campgrounds: 8; 943 sites
  • number of class B campgrounds: 5; 61 sites
  • number of backcountry campgrounds: 65; 208 sites
  • number of trails: 151; total length, 745.6 miles

Travel Tip:

As for size of Glacier National Park, measured on Google Earth,  east-west distance is about 35 miles; from north to south, distance is about 60 miles.





Absaroka Mountain, Mont.

© 2021 John Sandy

Current Weather

Current weather in Montana cities: Check the weather often.  Find weather here for cities across the state. Weather can change quickly in the mountains and on the plains. Be prepared.

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Books on travel in the Treasure State. A few history books, too. Snag and read a few books before you go.

 

Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts

Wonderful lodging of all kinds is available for travelers in most cities, big and small. Here are a few choices that are sure to please. Prices for rooms are a bit higher during the peak tourist season. Lodging in Montana is still a good value, however.

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RSS Glacier Official News

  • Glacier Park updates for Mother’s Day weekend 08/05/2025
  • Glacier National Park Taking Comments on Multiple Utility Projects 06/03/2025
  • Glacier National Park’s Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment available for public input 10/02/2025
  • Timed Entry Vehicle Reservations open February 13 07/02/2025

RSS Yellowstone Official News

  • Man gored by bison in Yellowstone National Park 07/05/2025
  • Select Yellowstone National Park entrances and roads open to public April 18 10/04/2025
  • Yellowstone National Park's winter season begins Dec. 15, 2024 10/12/2024

Hiking In Helena Montana

Want to go hiking in the mountains. Try the trail that goes to the top of Mt. Helena, in Helena. This is an easy one even for young people. Elevation at top, 5,468 feet. Biking allowed too. The view of the mountains to the south and west from the top is awesome.

Don’t Miss in Montana

Montana Historical Society Museum in Helena. *** Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. *** Bigfork, a quaint and charming town in the wilderness. *** Funky downtown Missoula.

Shop Merino Wool Clothing

Made is Montana is always special. For the finest Merino Wool clothing go online to DuckworthCo.com. Wool used in their products comes from sheep raised on a ranch in southwest Montana.

Montana Luxury Vacations

Luxury vacation destinations offer extra nice lodging, great cuisine, and abundant activities, all in beautiful surroundings:. Triple Creek Ranch near Darby, Montana in the Bitterroot Valley offers so much. (406) 821-4600. TrippleCreekRanch.com. *** The Resort at Paws Up near Greenough, Montana, located 35 minutes northeast of Missoula, rivals the best. (877) 580-6343. PawsUp.com *** The Sage Lodge, a few miles south of Livingston, Montana, offers luxury and great amenities. This is a new resort. In a word, very Nice. (855) 400-0505. SageLodge.com *** The Silver Bow Club, in southwest Montana, offers luxury and wonderful outdoor activities. In Divide, Montana. (406) 491-2157. Silverbowclub.com ***

Gold Prospecting Supplies

The Prospector Shop is on U.S. Highway 12 a few miles west of Helena, Montana. A great place to pick up all kinds of supplies needed for prospecting. Gold mining pans and more. Nice souvenirs here too for wanna-be prospectors. Call (406) 442-1872.

Starbucks in Montana Too

Hey you are in far away Montana.  But finding a familiar coffee shop is a good thing.  Starbucks coffee houses:  in Billings (Grand Avenue); in Kalispell (Main Street); in Bozeman (Main Street) in Missoula (Reserve Avenue); in Helena (Prospect Avenue); in Great Falls (10th Ave. South).

Photo gallery Montana (click on image below)

Blackfeet Nation

Blackfeet Nation (Native Americans) seek to keep cultural traditions alive. Their reservation borders the east side of Glacier National Park in north-central Montana. Flathead Beacon story.

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