If you’re thinking of visiting the Glacier National Park in winter, consider this your sign. We just went, and I was so impressed by the scenery and all there was to do despite heavy snowfall and road closures.
The park is situated in Montana’s Rocky Mountains and encompasses over 1,500 square miles of awe-inspiring glacial peaks and valleys that run to the Canadian border. While visiting in the winter requires more planning, it’s worth it. The views are exceptional, and the crowds are virtually non-existent. This means no waiting in line to snap a pic and no traffic jams!
After a successful trip to the park in winter, I can safely say it rivals the best winter getaways in Washington state. To help you plan your trip, here’s my roundup of all the best winter activities to do in the Glacier National Park!
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Glacier National Park in Winter
In this post, I’ll highlight the best things to do in winter in Glacier National Park so you can plan your itinerary and set your expectations. I’ll also share some tours I found to help you get the most out of your experience.
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Is Glacier National Park open in winter?
Yes, Glacier National Park is open in winter. This is one of the most common questions about visiting Glacier National Park during the off season. I’m here to tell you there’s plenty to do in the park during winter! And I think it’s the best time to visit because there are barely any people and you don’t have to worry about booking a reservation to enter the park like you do in summer.
However, some of the park is closed in winter. There are 7 entrances, 3 of which connect to the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. This road is the main route that spans the park to take travelers across the Continental Divide. While the majority of the road closes around the third week of October through June, a portion is accessible from the popular West Entrance year round.
Everywhere in this guide is open all year, though you should always double-check the road conditions because intense weather conditions can lead to closures. Many businesses that surround the park are closed from early October through late May, but I’ll list the places I know to be open during winter.
As for what to bring, plan on needing layers, including a waterproof winter coat, plenty of water, and hand warmers. Don’t forget bear spray, as bear sightings in winter aren’t unheard of. You can rent it from Glacier Outfitters or buy it at most nearby sports stores and drop it in the bin at the airport before going through security.
What to do in Glacier National Park in winter
Now that we got the logistics out of the way, let’s get to the fun stuff: what to do in Glacier National Park in winter! Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll add more winter activities in the park as I discover them!
Go cross country skiing and snowshoeing
While you’ll have to go to Whitefish Mountain Resort for downhill skiing, there is plenty of cross-country skiing options in Glacier National Park. One of my favorite things to do in Washington in winter is go cross country skiing or snowshoeing, and Glacier NP darn near has Washington beat. It’s kind of mandatory if you want to maximize your visit since most of the trails are unwalkable during the winter without some sort of apparatus on your feet (spikes work, too!).
In terms of specific trails, we did the McDonald Creek Trail and hardly saw a soul. It meanders along a creek and offers pretty views. Plus, it’s relatively flat. So all in all, it’s a great family-friendly snowshoeing option. At the trail entrance you’ll also see a flat path that stays on the road. This is a popular spot for Nordic skiing.
Another trail I’d recommend is Apgar Lookout. It’s 10.5 miles and starts easy, though it gets pretty steep, so it’s suited for more intermediate to experienced skiers. Rocky Point offers great views for a more level, easygoing ski. Beaver Pond Loop is another easy route that guides you through aspen and meadows overlooking the rolling hills east of St. Mary Lake.
For more ideas, check out this list of cross country skiing spots open in the winter. Or, book one of these tour and let someone else take care of the planning:
- Glacier Tours: Driving and Snowshoe Trek of Glacier National Park
- Snowshoe OR Cross Country Ski Tours in Glacier National Park
I did a the snowshoeing tour with Glacier Tours and loved the mix of sightseeing by car and snowshoe. Plus they pick you up and drop you off at your hotel!
Embark on ranger led snowshoe walks
website | get directions | best for: guided tours
What better way to experience the park than with a free guided tour by a ranger? On weekends from the end of December through mid-March, you can sign up for a free, 2-hour guided snowshoe tour as you search for native wildlife and discover the plants and animals of the park. Who knows, you may even come across a white-tailed deer!
Snowshoes can be rented for $2 at the Apgar Visitor Center (note, rentals are only available if you’re going on the guided tour).
Or take a scenic drive
You can still experience much of the western areas of the park by car, even during the winter. This scenic driving tour delivers you to four spots while regaling you with stories and history about the park. Or take this tour that includes lunch and a visit to the Huckleberry Patch for baked goodies and souvenirs.
If you decide to go it alone, use the stops in the rest of this post as your guide. Just remember to always double-check that the roads are open because snowstorms can force road closures.
Experience Going-to-the-Sun Road
If you drive, you’ll definitely find yourself on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, dubbed one of the most beautiful drives in the US. It’s 50 miles in all and crosses the Continental Divide, delivering you past jagged cliffs, stunning glaciers, and mountain peaks. Sadly most of the road is closed to cars during the winter, except the 11 miles from West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge, which is open year-round.
That said, you can go skiing or snowshoeing at the part of the road where it’s closed. We saw a bunch of people doing this when we went on a Saturday, but it never looked too crowded. Follow the McDonald Falls Cross-Country Trail and you’ll be met with waterfall views!
Visit the Hungry Horse Dam
website | get directions | best for: scenic viewpoint
The Hungry Horse Dam is just 15 miles from the West Entrance of the park and 44 miles from the Canadian border. While not technically in the park, it’s worth a visit because it’s one of the largest concrete arch dams in the US and has the largest morning glory spillway in the world. The view from the top is truly awe-inspiring.
It blocks the deceptively large Hungry Horse Reservoir, a popular spot where locals hang in summer to avoid the tourists in the park.
Walk the Old Belton Bridge
website | get directions | best for: historic viewpoint
The Old Belton Bridge was constructed in 1920 and was the only way in or out of the park for decades. While it’s no longer open to cars, it is a popular spot for hanging out and snapping pics of the wintery landscape. Locals like to hang out in the creek it spans come summer, but in winter you’ll have a lot of photo opps all to yourself.
Experience the vastness of Lake McDonald
website | get directions | best for: glacial lake
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. The Going-to-the-Sun Road meanders right along it and offers a few different spots where you can pull over to get views from different perspectives.
Stop at the docks near Apgar Village (the only spot with flushing toilets in the open portion’s of the park) for one viewpoint, then make your way to the McDonald Lodge for a vantage point closer to the snowy peaks. As you do, keep an eye on the stones visible on the shore and under the clear water. You’ll notice they can appear rainbow colored, especially if the light hits it right.
Check out the historic Lake McDonald Lodge
website | get directions | best for: lake views
Lake McDonald Lodge is a stunning Swiss chalet-style hotel perched right on the lake. Built int the early 1900s, it’s one of the most iconic attractions in Glacier National Park. While it’s not open in winter, you can still explore the grounds and take in the epic lake views from their dock and beachfront.
Try your hand at ice fishing
I’ve yet to try ice fishing, but from what I’ve heard, it sounds like a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. The Glacier NP doesn’t require a fishing license to fish inside the park boundaries, and lake fishing is open year-round. Each section of the park has rules on what type and how many fish you can catch, so refer to the park’s website for more information.
Grab a bite when you’re feeling peckish
I’m not going to lie; the best food you’ll find will be just outside of the park in Kalispell, AKA the gateway to the park. But the best food we found near the park was at Park Provisions, a cute grab-and-go cafe and shop on the way into the park. They have great sandwiches and offer pack-and-go lunches for picnics.
Pro tip: They own Stonefly Lounge a few doors down, which is a popular spot for beers, pizza, and savory baked goods. It’d make a great spot to toast after a fun day in the park!
More to explore
After you plot your itinerary for visiting Glacier National Park in winter, check out my other guides for more travel inspiration.
