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.
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 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 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.
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.
*As we continue to adapt to changing circumstances, these anticipated opening dates may change.
Visitors centers throughout the Park open and close at different times.
Times are subject to change throughout the year.
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
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
May 26 – September 17: 7 AM to 5 PM, backcountry permits available until 4:30 PM.
September 18: Ranger stations closed for the season
May 29 – September 17: 9 AM to 5 PM, backcountry Permits available until 4:30 PM.
September 18: Ranger station closed for the season
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
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
