Operating Hours & Seasons

West Entrance of Glacier National Park

David Restivo, NPS

Glacier National Park is open every day of the year. Winter weather tends to dictate when most visitor facilities open and close. Generally from late May to early September, facilities are open to welcome summer visitors.

Many people enjoy the "off-seasons" as a time when the park is a bit quieter. Fall can be spectacular, but visitors will need to be more self reliant, as facilities begin to close down for the season. Winter provides a carpet of snow that makes for some good cross-country skiing opportunities. Spring tends to arrive late and last a very brief time, but can provide an interesting and quiet experience.

Park Roads

Portions of the Going-to-the-Sun Road remain open all year and provide access to many locations and activities. Ten miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road (from park headquarters at West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge) are maintained throughout the winter providing access to winter recreation opportunities at the head of the lake. Be sure to visit our Going-to-the-Sun Road Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to many questions you might have.

Plowing park roads and the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a monumental challenge each year. Unpredictable spring snow storms or other weather related events can slow down plowing progress. It is not uncommon for plowing crews to need to re-plow sections of park roads when weather events happen. Safety for our plowing crews, contractors, and the public is our utmost concern and priority. These unknown factors make predicting the opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road impossible. During plowing season, our Plowing Status page provides information on where plows are working. As the status of park roads change, we will immediately update our Current Road Status page.

Visitor Centers

Visitor Centers throughout the park open and close at different times during the year and are staffed with Park Rangers who provide interpretation and information to help in trip planning.

Apgar Backcountry Permit Office - 2013
May 1 - September 28: 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
September 29 - October 31: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
November 1: Backcountry Office closed for the season.

Apgar Visitor Center - 2013
January 5 - May 17: Weekends only, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
May 18 - June 14 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
June 15 - September 2: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
September 3 - September 15: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
September 16 - Mid May: Weekends only, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Logan Pass Visitor Center - 2013
Opening (weather dependent) - September 2: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
September 3 - September 15: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
September 16: Visitor Center closed for season, no potable water available.

Many Glacier & Two Medicine Ranger Stations - 2013
May 26 - September 20: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
September 21: Ranger Stations closed for the season.

Park Headquarters - 2013
Monday - Friday (closed holidays): 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year round, closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the fall, winter and spring.

Polebridge Ranger Station - 2013
June 7 - September 7: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m
September 8: Ranger Station closed for the season.

St. Mary Visitor Center - 2013
May 25 - June 29: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
June 30 - August 17: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
August 18 - September 15: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
September 16: Visitor Center closed for season.