Glacier Park Collection

When To Visit

Winter weather dictates when most visitor facilities, hiking trails, roads and activities open and close for the season. June through September is typically considered our "summer" season when most facilities and roads are open and accessible.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road typically opens in mid June and closes in mid October.

Our seasonal lodging properties typically open in late May or early June and close in mid to late September. Grouse Mountain Lodge, located in Whitefish, Montana is open year-round.

For more information, see our 2023 and 2024 Lodging Dates below.

For the most up-to-date information regarding Glacier National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Glacier Park By Season

Summer

The best time to visit Montana and Glacier National Park depends on what you're looking for in your vacation. July and August are the warmest summer months with reliable warm weather and most roads and hiking trails will be fully accessible. The Going-to-the-Sun Road typically opens in mid to late June. This also means that July and August are the busiest times of year. If you're looking to beat the crowds, spring or fall may be the best time of year to visit.

Winter

Winter in Whitefish is a beautiful time of year! Whitefish Mountain Resort typically opens for the season in the first week of December and the first couple weekends before the holidays are great times to get lots of turns without the crowds. The busiest weeks in winter are around Christmas and New Year's as well as around President's Day (Family Day in Alberta). We see lots of snow throughout the winter, but the chance of a bluebird ski day is higher March.

Spring

Spring is the secret season in Montana. The landscapes are awakening from the long winter and the weather becomes mild. Glacier National Park and Whitefish are much less busy in May and early June before kids are out of school for the summer. In spring, not all roads and hiking trails will be open, but there is still plenty to do! Spring is the best season for whitewater rafting at the peak of run-off and cyclists can bike the Going-to-the-Sun Road before it opens to vehicle traffic. Although most hotels in the Park open in early June, Grouse Mountain Lodge is open year round and Apgar Village Lodge and the West Glacier Village typically open in late May.

Fall

Yes—we have fall colors in Montana! The Larch tree, also known as Tamaracks, are deciduous conifers that change color and lose their needles in the fall. The Larch turn the mountains gold and create spectacular scenes of fall color. Also in the fall, Whitefish has a great line-up of events filled with local flavor, including Whitefish Oktoberfest! For fall visitors to Glacier National Park, the Going-to-the-Sun Road typically stays open until mid to late October, depending on when we receive our first snowfall. Although most properties in the park close in September, Grouse Mountain Lodge is open year-round.

Dates of Availability

Grouse Mountain Lodge
Open year-round
May 24, 2024 – September 30, 2024
May 23, 2025 – September 29, 2025
Glacier Park Lodge
May 30, 2025 – September 22, 2025
Motel Lake McDonald
May 23, 2025 – September 21, 2025
May 10, 2024 – October 13, 2024
May 9, 2025 – October 12, 2025
June 1, 2024 – October 1, 2024
May 16, 2025 – September 18, 2025
West Glacier RV Park
May 10, 2024 – September 29, 2024
May 9, 2025 – Sept 28, 2025
West Glacier Cabins
May 10, 2024 – September 29, 2024
May 9, 2025 – Sept 28, 2025
Apgar Village Lodge & Cabins
May 10, 2024 – September 29, 2024
May 9, 2025 – September 8, 2025
Paddle Ridge
May 3, 2024 – November 1, 2024
May 2, 2025 - November 1, 2025
Long-term lodging only:
Nov 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024

*As we continue to adapt to changing circumstances, these anticipated opening dates may change.

Visitor Center & Ranger Station Hours

Visitors centers throughout the Park open and close at different times.
Times are subject to change throughout the year.

Logan Pass Visitor Center

Road Opening – September 5: 9 AM to 7 PM
September 6 – Septemeber 30: 9:30 AM to 4 PM
October 1: Visitor Center closed for season

Park Headquarters

Monday to Friday (closed holidays): 8 AM to 4:30 PM year round,
closed for lunch from 12 PM to 12:30 PM in the fall, winter and spring

Many Glacier & Two Medicine Ranger Stations

May 26 – September 17: 7 AM to 5 PM, backcountry permits available until 4:30 PM.
September 18: Ranger stations closed for the season

Polebridge Ranger Station

May 29 – September 17: 9 AM to 5 PM, backcountry Permits available until 4:30 PM.
September 18: Ranger station closed for the season

Apgar Visitor Center

January – May 13: Weekends only, 9 AM to 4:30 PM
May 14 – June 10: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
June 11 – September 5: 8 AM to 6 PM
September 6 – October 10: 8 AM to 5 PM
October 11 – mid-May 2018: Weekends only, 9 AM to 4:30 PM

St. Mary Visitor Center

May 28 – June 25: 8 AM to 5 PM
June 26 – August 14: 8 AM to 6 PM
August 15 – October 2: 8 AM to 5 PM
October 3: Visitor center closed for season

STAY CONNECTED

Insider tips, inspiration and deals - delivered straight to your inbox.

back to top