Glacier National Park: planning guide
Sharp peaks, lakes, and leftover glaciers in northwest Montana. Going-to-the-Sun Road is the main corridor when open.
Glacier National Park is in MT, United States. The nearest town is North Browning — roughly 38 mi (61.1 km) out, about 1 hr 17 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow. Shoulder season: late June and late September.
High passes and trails hold snow from October into June, and some roads close entirely for the winter.
Afternoon thunderstorms build fast above treeline in summer. Start early and be off exposed ridges by early afternoon.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| North Browning | 38 mi (61.1 km) | 1 hr 17 min |
| Browning | 38.1 mi (61.3 km) | 1 hr 18 min |
| South Browning | 38.4 mi (61.7 km) | 1 hr 18 min |
| Evergreen | 43.1 mi (69.4 km) | 1 hr 26 min |
| Kalispell | 45.8 mi (73.6 km) | 1 hr 31 min |
| Eureka | 58.1 mi (93.5 km) | 1 hr 49 min |
| Cut Bank | 67.3 mi (108 km) | 2 hr 3 min |
| Polson | 75.7 mi (122 km) | 2 hr 14 min |
Before you go
Glacier National Park does not gate the entrance itself. Specific roads, hikes, or tours still need a permit or timed ticket.
| Booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|
| Logan Pass Shuttle Tickets | One road or area | Timed reservation |
| Glacier National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apgar | Reservable | — |
| Apgar Group Sites | Reservable | — |
| Avalanche | Reservable | — |
| Fish Creek | Reservable | — |
| Many Glacier | Reservable | — |
| Rising Sun | Reservable | — |
| Sprague Creek | Reservable | — |
| St. Mary | Reservable | — |
| Two Medicine | Reservable | — |
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glacier National Park Wilderness Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
Where Glacier National Park sits
Official Glacier National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park sits close enough to Waterton Lakes National Park, Kootenay National Park, Banff National Park, and Yoho National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Waterton Lakes National Park | 20.9 mi (33.6 km) | 48 min |
| Kootenay National Park | 178 mi (286 km) | 4 hr 39 min |
| Banff National Park | 213 mi (343 km) | 5 hr 30 min |
| Yoho National Park | 218 mi (351 km) | 5 hr 36 min |
Parks close by
- Waterton Lakes National Park
Where Rockies meet prairie on the Alberta–Montana border. Twin of Glacier (US) in the peace park.
- Kootenay National Park
Rockies park along the Banff–Radium corridor. Hot springs, fossil beds, and mountain valleys.
- Banff National Park
Canada’s first national park in the Rockies — Lake Louise, Banff townsite, icefields, and busy alpine valleys.
- Yoho National Park
Rockies park west of Banff with Burgess Shale fossils, waterfalls, and the Kicking Horse valley.
Common questions
Where is Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park sits in MT, United States. North Browning, about 38 mi (61.1 km) away — roughly 1 hr 17 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?
Generally July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow, with late June and late September quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Glacier National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 9 campgrounds at Glacier National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.