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Glacier National Park

Designation: National Park

Location: Montana

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking a landscape steeped in human culture. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.

🌤 Weather Information

Glacier's weather is highly variable and can be extreme. Expect warm, sunny summer days but be ready for any type of conditions. In the winter, temperatures can fall well below freezing and typically the park receives considerable amounts of snow. Glacier's geography, straddling the Continental Divide, sets the stage for clashes of two very different climates. Warm, wet Pacific air moves in from the west, and cold, dry Arctic air flows from the northeast. They meet at the Divide.

🚗 Directions

Glacier National Park is located in the northwest corner of Montana along the spine of the Rocky Mountains. By car you can access Glacier via Highway 2, which runs along the southern boundary of the park. You can reach the east side of the park via Highway 89. The nearest airports are in Kalispell and Great Falls, Montana.

Images

Large mountains dotted with snow loom above a rocky meadow filled with yellow flowers.

Glacier lilies dot the landscape off the Highline Trail.

Credit: NPS Photo

A double waterfall blurs over layered rocks.

Glacier National Park is sculpted by water.

Credit: NPS Photo

Looking down into the lobby of the Lake McDonald Lodge from the balcony

Lobby of the historic Lake McDonald Lodge

Credit: NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank

Clouds of orange and red sit above dark-gray mountains; snow dots the mountain peaks.

Majestic Heavens Peak is easily viewed from the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Credit: NPS Photo

A small, brown and white structure sits on a rocky top with mountain peaks in the distance.

The historic Swiftcurrent Lookout was built in a Swiss chalet architectural style.

Credit: NPS Photo

Jagged peaks rise out of a forested valley and an empty road curves off into the distance.

Going-to-the-Sun Road in the St. Mary Valley

Credit: NPS Photo

Silhouetted mountains and flowers against a night sky filled with stars and a milky band of light.

Glacier's dark sky is important to wildlife and people.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
(Winter Rate - $25.00, November 1 to April 30) This is an entrance fee for all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van). The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable. Visitors can enter the park at any time, if the entrance station is not staffed, a self-registration area is available for purchasing a 7-day park pass.
$35.00
Entrance - Per Person
(Winter Rate - $15.00, November 1 to April 30) This is a per person entrance fee for a visitor traveling on foot, bicycle, or for individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group. The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable.
$20.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
(Winter Rate - $20.00, November 1 to April 30) This is a per motorcycle entrance fee. The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable.
$30.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
Entrance fees are based on the seating capacity of the vehicle (driver not included). Commercial Sedan entrance fee is $25, plus $20 per person, 16 years of age or older. The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable.
$25.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
Entrance fees are based on the seating capacity of the vehicle (driver not included). Commercial Van entrance fee is $75 regardless of occupancy. The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable.
$75.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
Entrance fees are based on the seating capacity of the vehicle (driver not included). Commercial Mini-bus entrance fee is $100 regardless of occupancy. The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable.
$100.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
Entrance fees are based on the seating capacity of the vehicle (driver not included). Commercial Motor Coach fee is $200 regardless of occupancy. The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable.
$200.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
New in 2024, all passes will have one signature line for a single passholder. This pass is valid for one year from the month of entry and admits the purchaser and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and his/her immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (foot, bicycle) into the park. It is nontransferable, nonrefundable, and does not cover camping fees.
$70.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Apr 21

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 76.6°F | Low: 45.7°F

Humidity: 38%

Wind: 5.4 mph

Rain Chance: 80%

UV Index: 6.3

Sunrise: 06:33 AM

Sunset: 08:36 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (17%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 47.6°F

Cloud Cover: 80%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Apr 22

Moderate rain

Moderate rain

High: 63.7°F | Low: 38.3°F

Humidity: 74%

Wind: 7.4 mph

Rain Chance: 84%

UV Index: 5.1

Sunrise: 06:31 AM

Sunset: 08:38 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (27%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 42.5°F

Cloud Cover: 84%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Apr 23

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 40.7°F | Low: 20.8°F

Humidity: 72%

Wind: 8.9 mph

Rain Chance: 88%

UV Index: 3.9

Sunrise: 06:29 AM

Sunset: 08:39 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (38%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 28.5°F

Cloud Cover: 88%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Going-to-the-Sun Road Seasonal Closure Park Closure
Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed for the season at Lake McDonald Lodge on the west side of the park. On the east side, the closure is located at Rising Sun. Travel on open sections of the road may change at any time due to winter weather conditions. Visitors should check road conditions before their arrival and be prepared for winter weather.

More Info

Park Events

Winter Snowshoe Walk

Explore Glacier National Park on a two-hour ranger-led snowshoe walk and take an intimate look at the park in winter. Search for signs of wildlife, discover the plants and animals of the park, and enjoy the solitude of winter during this unique experience. 
Not recommended for children under age 6.

Participants should be prepared for a variety of winter conditions by wearing appropriate winter clothing, dressing in layers, and bringing water and snacks. You may use your own snowshoes or rent snowshoes for $2 at the Apgar Visitor Center beginning 1 hour prior to the program. Rental snowshoe availability is limited and only available for those participating in ranger-led snowshoe hikes. Snowshoe rentals are also available in neighboring communities.

Program is offered conditions-permitting. Walks will be canceled if West Glacier temperatures are forecasted below 10° F. Walks may proceed without snowshoes if there is not sufficient snow cover.

As of mid-February 2026, snow cover has not been sufficient for snowshoe use and recent walks have proceeded without snowshoes. Please check the Apgar Visitor Center Plaza webcam for snow cover conditions. 

Location: Meet at the Apgar Visitor Center.

Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Mar 15, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

CANCELLED - Astronomy at Medicine Spring Library

Join us for an evening of Blackfeet star stories and night sky viewing hosted by Medicine Spring Library.

Glacier's Native America Speaks and Astronomy Programs are made possible by donations to the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

This event takes place at the Medicine Spring Library in the neighboring community of Browning, MT.

Location: Medicine Spring Library 504 SE Boundary St, Browning, MT 59417

Date: Feb 25, 2026 12:00am to Feb 25, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Astronomy at Medicine Spring Library

Join us for an evening of Blackfeet star stories and night sky viewing hosted by Medicine Spring Library.

Glacier's Native America Speaks and Astronomy Programs are made possible by donations to the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

This event takes place at the Medicine Spring Library in the neighboring community of Browning, MT.

Location: Medicine Spring Library 504 SE Boundary St, Browning, MT 59417

Date: Mar 2, 2026 12:00am to Mar 2, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Creekside Stroll

Enjoy a casual stroll through diverse habitats along beautiful lower McDonald Creek. Easy 2-mile (3.2 km) walk. Program is offered conditions-permitting. Spring conditions can be variable and may change quickly.

Location: Meet at the Apgar Visitor Center.

Date: Mar 21, 2026 12:00am to Apr 12, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
64 Grinnell Drive
Glacier National Park Headquarters
West Glacier, MT 59936

🏤 Mailing Address:
PO Box 128
West Glacier, MT 59936

📞 Voice Phone: 406-888-7800

📞 Fax Phone: 406-888-7808

📞 TTY Phone: 406-888-7806

✉️ Email: glac_questions@nps.gov

Park Location


👏 Fun Fact
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