NPS/Bill Hayden
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
Information
NPS/Jacob Frank Fire Season The park has had several small fires this summer caused by lightning, resulting in smoky conditions and some trail and area closures. Learn more on the Current Fire Information page. A daily fact sheet is posted on Flathead County's Office of Emergency Services facebook page. 
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 are routinely filling by 10 am or 11 am. Logan Pass parking is 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. 
Stage II Fire Restrictions Due to critical fire conditions, much of Northwest Montana, including Glacier National Park, is under Stage II Fire Restrictions. All campfires will be prohibited beginning on Friday, July 28. This includes the use of charcoal and barbecue briquettes. Smoking while moving (walking or hiking, etc.) over all vegetated areas will also be prohibited. Devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off will be permitted. For more on Stage II Fire Restrictions, read the interagency media release. 
NPS/Jacob W. Frank Weather Weather is always unpredictable in the mountains. Montana is seeing some hot days this summer, 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 What is open? All the park visitor centers and ranger stations are open for the season. Check the operating hours page for specific visitor centers and backcountry permit offices. Check the Trail Status Reports page for regular updates and the Trail and Area Closing and Postings before setting out for your trailhead. 
NPS Going-to-the-Sun Road Going-to-the-Sun Road is open in its entirety to motorized vehicle travel. Visitors can drive the whole length of the road, including access at Logan Pass. Services at Logan Pass include restroom facilities and potable water. Logan Pass Visitor Center is also open daily. Vehicles and vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet, and wider than 9 feet, are prohibited along the Going-to-the-Sun Road between Avalanche Campground and Rising Sun. 
NPS/David Restivo Camping Check the Camping Status page for up-to-date information, like status and past fill times. 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 W. Frank Bicycling Going-to-the-Sun Road Bicyclists are reminded that bicycle safety restrictions on Going-to-the-Sun-Road are in effect, and remain in effect through Labor Day, September 4. Bicycles are prohibited between Apgar Campground, and Sprague Creek Campground from 11 am to 4 pm. Bicycles are prohibited eastbound (uphill) between Logan Creek and Logan Pass from 11 am to 4 pm. Information on bicycle restrictions and average bicycle times may be found on the Bicycling page. 
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: August 11, 2017