When to visit Glacier without the crowds
Glacier (Montana, United States) is calmest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July, August and September. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jun & Sep
When everyone heads home
The first week of September.
Tip
July to September a reservation is needed for Going-to-the-Sun Road; not before 6 a.m.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 0 °C (32 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | -1 °C (31 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 6 °C (43 °F) | |
| April | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 11 °C (52 °F) | |
| May | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 18 °C (64 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 22 °C (71 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 5/5 · busy ⚠ ✦ | 28 °C (82 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy ⚠ ✦ | 27 °C (81 °F) | |
| September | 4/5 · busy | 21 °C (70 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 12 °C (54 °F) | |
| November | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 5 °C (41 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 1 °C (33 °F) | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- The Going-to-the-Sun Road is usually fully open only from late June or July to mid-October.
- Wildfire smoke some summers (Jul–Aug).
What to see, and when
- Wildflowers in the alpine meadows (Jul–Aug).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (National Park Service, Glacier National Park, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Glacier without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually February, March, April, November and December (crowds 1/5). In April the average high is 11 °C (52 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December.
When is Glacier most crowded?
The busiest season is July, August and September. The first week of September.
What is the weather like in Glacier?
Average highs range from -1 °C (31 °F) in February to 28 °C (82 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Glacier?
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is usually fully open only from late June or July to mid-October. Wildfire smoke some summers (Jul–Aug).
What is there to see in Glacier by season?
Wildflowers in the alpine meadows (Jul–Aug).
More places in Montana
- Bozeman calm in March, April, May, June, September, October and November; busiest in January, July and August