I swore I’d never visit Glacier National Park again.
We planned it out. Arrive early at Logan Pass Visitor Center, hike the Hidden Lake Trail, and head back down before the crowds arrive.
As one of the top-15 visited parks in the country and over 3 million visitors per year, crowds are very difficult to avoid during peak season. I learned this the hard way after dozens of laps around the Logan Pass parking lot and aggressive drivers with out-of-state license plates, all before 8 a.m. on a weekday.
But the allure of GNP is hard to ignore. Like many locals, my husband spent most of his life in Montana never visiting Glacier. He took it for granted, and even avoided it because he figured mountain life should not include traffic and waiting in lines. Once he finally made the trip, it called him back every year.
Lately, the crowds made us rethink our approach to one of America’s premier parks right here in our backyard. The fall season in Glacier certainly solved my road rage dilemma at Logan Pass, yet still offered a unique perspective on the natural wonder we all know and love. Here’s a guide to visiting Glacier in the fall!
Things to Consider
Mostly due to weather, the window is short. Before Sept. 4, good luck navigating the crowds that seem to grow every year. By the third week in October, Going-to-the-Sun Road will certainly be closed due to snow, and it will likely close sooner. So the fall window to access most of Glacier will be roughly Sept. 5-Oct 20, but absolutely subject to weather. Be sure to check the road conditions before you set out.
After Sept. 8, visitors no longer need vehicle registration. The visitors centers remain open until Sept. 30, which helps for amenities and support if you find yourself needing help.
By Oct. 1, nearly everything in the park closes. Not a bad thing considering the added serenity and space, but plan on bringing everything including food and other basics.
Key Dates and Visitor Center Closures
If visiting in October, note that many park services are unavailable:
- Logan Pass Visitor Center closes Sept. 30
- Apgar Visitor Center remains open daily until Oct. 13
- St. Mary Visitor Center closes by Oct. 9
- Red Bus Tours end their season on Sept. 29
- Lodging, tour offices, and services inside the park close for the season by early October
How Long to Visit
I’ve done my share of day trips to Glacier. They always felt rushed and stressed, not the type of peaceful reflection the stunning vistas deserve. Glacier is worth several days, we recommend three full days in the fall.
Where to Stay
Duration certainly depends on lodging. Most camping in GNP closes by Sept. 15, but honestly tent camping past that point would not be enjoyable anyway given the temperatures. All lodges in the park close by Sept. 29 with the Village Inn at Apgar staying open the longest. Here are some ideas to fit just about every visitor.
MOST ADVENTUROUS
Apgar is open year-round for camping at your own risk. Best for those who have a camping trailer and want access to a lot of hiking trails.
MOST CONVENIENT
KOA is a short five-minute drive from the West entrance. Wind down after a long day with a hot tub or sauna and espresso bar. It’s camping with amenities.
Glacier Park Lodge is a historic property with modern amenities, authentic decor and a farm-to-table restaurant on site. The main lodge includes traditional hotel rooms (recommend a stay in the Great Northern wing) while the Tippet Cottage offers a bit more privacy. This lodge is most convenient when coming from the Great Falls area but note it becomes inconvenient by early October when both the St. Mary and Two Medicine entrances close due to snow.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
The Izaak Walton Inn is located halfway between the East and West entrance to the park. This inn has traditional hotel rooms but the real winners for families are the vacation cabins and caboose stays (perfect for kids who love trains!). The property has no cell signal, no in-room TVs and wifi is limited so it's the perfect place to get the kids back to the basics. Enjoy playing together in the game room, exploring the 33km of groomed snowshoeing paths and relaxing in the hot tub.
BEST VALUE
Cedar Creek Lodge in Columbia Falls offers clean and basic accommodation with typical hotel room setups. Get a king room with a sofa bed or two queens. Enjoy an indoor pool and complimentary breakfast for a family-friendly lodging option.
MOST COMFORTABLE
Whitefish adds some drive time, but the lodging options hit a new level of style. The Firebrand Hotel downtown is a great option for couples. With live music, a rooftop heated pool open year-round, this hotel is great for shopping and restaurants in one of the coolest towns in Montana. For a cozy family stay, check out The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. Get vacation-home style lodging with cozy fireplaces, s’mores, board games, snowshoeing, sauna/hot tub and a spa for mom.
Prepping for Activities
Standard advice on hiking in Montana says prepare for all weather conditions. This especially rings true during the fall in Glacier. Prepare for snow and mud, with temperatures ranging from the 60s to the low 30s and colder depending on elevation. Fall is a great time to see animals as they prepare for winter with fewer people to scare them away. As always, animal safety rules apply.
Entrance to the park
A pass is required no matter what time of year you visit the park. Entrance fees vary depending on the season and the mode of transportation:
● Standard entrance pass
💲20 per person if entering on bicycle or foot
💲30 per motorcycle
💲35 per private vehicle
● Annual passes
🎫 GNP annual pass $70 - This pass is valid for one year from the month of entry and admits the purchaser and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and his/her immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (foot, bicycle) into the park.
🎫 America the Beautiful - National parks and federal recreation lands pass - Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation , U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers.
Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers one private vehicle fee or four per person fees.
🇺🇸 America the Beautiful pass options:
💲 Standard annual $80
🆓 Military - FREE
💲 Senior (over 62) - $20 a year or $80 for a lifetime
🆓 Access (for those with a permanent disability) - FREE
Final Thoughts
Visiting GNP in the fall offers plenty of advantages. Space and fewer people lead the rankings of reasons to visit after peak season. Weather unpredictability and access to amenities lead the list of downsides. But with some planning and flexibility, there’s no reason to swear off Glacier due to road rage, or other reasons. After all, it’s in our backyard.
Valerie Edman owns Cultured Travel, a modern travel agency based in Hamilton and serving clients globally. She believes travel is so much more than picture-perfect postcards, which is why she's rewriting the luxury travel playbook - one bespoke journey at a time.
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