Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park
The best months to visit Glacier National Park are June, September and 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.
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- Going-to-the-Sun Road Seasonal Closure (Park Closure)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Glacier month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder | 17,992 | 2% | 32°F / 15°F | 2.1″ | 8.7h |
| February | Shoulder | 16,922 | 2% | 31°F / 15°F | 2.1″ | 10.2h |
| March | Shoulder | 25,800 | 3% | 38°F / 20°F | 2.5″ | 11.8h |
| April | Shoulder | 45,417 | 6% | 46°F / 28°F | 2.5″ | 13.7h |
| May | Shoulder | 202,281 | 27% | 56°F / 35°F | 2.8″ | 15.2h |
| June | Best window | 551,415 | 72% | 63°F / 42°F | 3.1″ | 16.1h |
| July | Peak crowds | 761,346 | 100% | 73°F / 46°F | 1.2″ | 15.8h |
| August | Peak crowds | 693,318 | 91% | 73°F / 45°F | 1.3″ | 14.4h |
| September | Best window | 557,269 | 73% | 63°F / 39°F | 1.6″ | 12.6h |
| October | Best window | 139,359 | 18% | 49°F / 32°F | 2.2″ | 10.9h |
| November | Shoulder | 24,006 | 3% | 37°F / 25°F | 2.7″ | 9.2h |
| December | Shoulder | 18,684 | 2% | 31°F / 17°F | 2.1″ | 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.
How many people visit Glacier each year
Glacier National Park had 3,136,557 recreation visits in 2025, 2% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2017, with 3,305,512. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 3,053,809 visits a year, which makes it the 11th most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,136,557 | −2% |
| 2024 | 3,208,755 | +9% |
| 2023 | 2,933,616 | +1% |
| 2022 | 2,908,458 | −6% |
| 2021 | 3,081,656 | +81% |
| 2020 | 1,698,864 | −44% |
| 2019 | 3,049,839 | +3% |
| 2018 | 2,965,309 | −10% |
| 2017 | 3,305,512 | +12% |
| 2016 | 2,946,681 | +25% |
| 2015 | 2,366,056 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Glacier in June
Computed from June's weather normals — Glacier's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 42°F
- Packable rain jacket — 3.1″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
- Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Glacier?
June, September and 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.
When is Glacier least crowded with decent conditions?
October, at 18% of the July peak (139,359 average visits). February is quieter still, but headline access is typically closed then.
How many people visit Glacier per year?
Glacier National Park had 3,136,557 recreation visits in 2025, 2% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2017, with 3,305,512. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 3,053,809 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Glacier through the year?
The warmest month is August, with average highs of 73°F. The coldest nights come in February, averaging 15°F. The wettest month is June, with 3.1″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, ST. MARY 1 SSW, MT US station.)
Is Glacier open all year?
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. Dates shift with snow and weather each year, so check the park's current NPS conditions before you go.
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Glacier ranks against all 63 parks in June, September and October.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks