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 Columbia Falls — roughly 32.2 mi (51.8 km) out, about 1 hr 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Falls | 32.2 mi (51.8 km) | 1 hr 7 min |
| Whitefish | 34.8 mi (55.9 km) | 1 hr 12 min |
| 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 |
| Bigfork | 49.9 mi (80.2 km) | 1 hr 38 min |
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.
Parks you could combine with it
- 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, and the closest town of any size is Columbia Falls — about 1 hr 7 min away.
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.