NPS/Melissa Sladek
What is it like in Glacier right now? Check out our webcams for a peek.
The following information should also help you in understanding current conditions in Glacier National Park.
Current Conditions
AlertsDanger
Park Closure
NPS/Jacob Frank Fire Season There are a multiple fires currently active in the park. Expect some trail and area closures. Learn more on the Current Fire Information page. For information on the Sprague Fire, see its specific inciweb page. A daily fact sheet is posted on Flathead County's Office of Emergency Services facebook page. Montana Wildfire Smoke Updates are available on http://svc.mt.gov/deq/todaysair. If it’s smoky in one area of the park, there are often other areas of the park with better visibility. 
NPS/Jacob W. Frank Weather Weather is always unpredictable in the mountains. Montana saw hot days this summer and is now experiencing more fall-like weather. But remember temperatures vary with time of day and elevation, so be prepared with layers of clothing. For a clickable map of Glacier National Park weather visit the National Weather Service Recreation Safety Forecast for Glacier National Park. For a text version of the weather forecast for Glacier visit their Glacier National Park Forecast page. Visit our Weather page for more. 
NPS Going-to-the-Sun Road A portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed due to fire activity, making Logan Pass accessible only from the east side. Check the road status page. The park shuttle is operating a modified September service on the east side. Smoke will continue to settle into low-lying areas when air temperatures cool at night and in the early morning hours. If you encounter smoke while driving, slow down, turn on your headlights, and watch out for people and wildlife. Beginning September 5, there will be one-lane traffic management in the Apgar Curve area. See maps on the Going-to-the-Sun Road Project page. 
NPS What is open? All park visitor centers are open. Check the operating hours page for specific visitor centers and backcountry permit offices. Ranger-guided activities in the Lake McDonald Lodge and Avalanche areas have been cancelled, including boat tours that leave from the lodge. Check the Trail Status Reports page for regular updates and the Trail and Area Closing and Postings before setting out for your trailhead. Due to fire activity, some west side services have closed or altered their operations. See the Eating and Sleeping and Guided Tours pages for company contact information. 
NPS Have Patience in Crowded Conditions June set a new visitation record in Glacier, proving what we already knew: the park is busy. Plan for crowded conditions and waiting periods for parking, particularly during peak times of day. Early morning and later evening continue to offer less crowded opportunities to visit the park during the summer months. Bowman and Kintla Lake parking areas were routinely filling by 10 am or 11 am throughout summer. Logan Pass parking was routinely filling between 9 am and 10 am. Avalanche Creek, Apgar Village, and the Apgar Visitor Center parking lots are also regularly filling in the morning or early afternoon. In the North Fork area and other areas of the park as needed, rangers are temporarily restricting traffic to ensure that roads and parking areas remain accessible to emergency vehicles and do not become gridlocked. The park is posting when parking lots fill and other information about real-time park conditions at twitter.com/glacierNPS. 
NPS/David Restivo Camping Check the Camping Status page for up-to-date information, like status and past fill times. Note some campgrounds are already closed for the season. For advanced trip planning, sites in Fish Creek, St. Mary, some of Many Glacier and half of the group sites in Apgar can be reserved online at www.recreation.gov. Campsites at Fish Creek and St. Mary are reservable no more than 6 months in advance. Group campsites at St. Mary and Apgar Campgrounds are reservable no more than 12 months in advance. Reservations through Recreation.gov must be made 3 days in advance. 
NPS/Jacob W. Frank Boating Regulations 2017 This summer, non-motorized, non-trailered watercraft will be permitted on Glacier National Park waters. Hand-propelled watercraft will be permitted on Lake McDonald and North Fork waters beginning May 15, and will be permitted on Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Many Glacier waters beginning June 1. This year, non-motorized watercraft will require an in-person inspection by National Park Service boat inspectors. Find inspection locations on the Boating page. Privately owned motorized and trailered watercraft will continue to be restricted, following the detection of aquatic invasive mussels within the State of Montana announced in November of 2016. For more information see the Aquatic Invasive Species page. Starting on August 3, Glacier National Park will begin scheduling motorized watercraft inspections and sealing for those boaters wishing to launch on Lake McDonald after a 30-day quarantine period. 
NPS/Jacob Frank Wildlife It is important to provide Glacier's wild residents as much space as possible. If an animal reacts to your presence you are too close. Please remain at least 100 yards away from bears or wolves, and no closer than 25 yards of any other wildlife. It is important to keep campgrounds and developed areas clean and free of food and trash. Trails and areas are sometimes closed or posted due to wildlife frequenting. It is a good idea to check our safety information concerning wildlife and humans. |
Last updated: September 20, 2017