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Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park

The best months to visit Glacier National Park are June, September, October — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. July is the crowd peak (761,346 monthly visits); February is quietest at 2% of peak.

Seasonal access: Going-to-the-Sun Road's alpine section typically opens fully late June–early July and closes in mid-October; lower valleys stay accessible year-round. Check current NPS conditions →

Monthly crowd curve

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Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.

Glacier month by month

MonthVerdictAvg visits% of peakHigh / LowPrecipDaylight
January Shoulder 17,9922% 32°F / 15°F2.1″8.7h
February Shoulder 16,9222% 31°F / 15°F2.1″10.2h
March Shoulder 25,8003% 38°F / 20°F2.5″11.8h
April Shoulder 45,4176% 46°F / 28°F2.5″13.7h
May Shoulder 202,28127% 56°F / 35°F2.8″15.2h
June Best window 551,41572% 63°F / 42°F3.1″16.1h
July Peak crowds 761,346100% 73°F / 46°F1.2″15.8h
August Peak crowds 693,31891% 73°F / 45°F1.3″14.4h
September Best window 557,26973% 63°F / 39°F1.6″12.6h
October Best window 139,35918% 49°F / 32°F2.2″10.9h
November Shoulder 24,0063% 37°F / 25°F2.7″9.2h
December Shoulder 18,6842% 31°F / 17°F2.1″8.3h

Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station ST. MARY 1 SSW, MT US (17 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.

Common questions

What is the best month to visit Glacier?

June, September, October rank best for Glacier on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight, among months when the park’s headline access is typically open.

What is the most crowded month at Glacier?

July: an average of 761,346 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is February, at 2% of the July peak.

How many people visit Glacier per year?

Glacier National Park averaged 3,053,809 recreation visits per year over 2021–2025, per official NPS Visitor Use Statistics.

Dive into a month

Glacier in JanuaryGlacier in FebruaryGlacier in MarchGlacier in AprilGlacier in MayGlacier in JuneGlacier in JulyGlacier in AugustGlacier in SeptemberGlacier in OctoberGlacier in NovemberGlacier in December

Last verified 2026-07-16 · all parks