Glacier national park, best months?

[suprz]

One of our "must see" national parks is Glacier. What are the best months to go? We don't really like crowds and aren't afraid of cold weather. (but rain is no good)

Any help is appreciated

[Redsky]

The campground don't open until June (some not until July) and they close down starting the first of September and completely by mid September. Going to the Sun Road is undergoing a massive renovation and it takes 2-1/2 months to clear the snow in the spring so it is very limited for vehicular traffic as they want to give the construction crews time to work.

With the compressed season of two months it is going to be crowded in the campgrounds. If you are willing to hike you can get away from most of the people. Another option is Waterton National Park in Canada.

On the shoulder seasons, as with Yellowstone, you need to stay outside the park and drive in each day. This is not all that difficult and the distances are not that great from the towns.

[Lauren]

Been there a few times and one of of top favorite NP's.

Given a choice I would say right after Labor Day.

Red bus is nice and can be informative but, remember, you are on THEIR schedule for timing and stops; we like the flexibility of our own time.

[cindik]

My Son works at Glacier, and I visited in late August last year. Perfect time of year to go. The weather was great, and everything was open. After Labor Day, everything starts shutting down. Be sure and do the red bus tour. We did Crown of the Continent from West to East Glacier. Well worth the money. Glacier is beautiful!

[Norskeman]

We went in the middle of August las year - Not as much water going over the various falls. Less crowds - September.

The red bus tour was great.

[bikendan]

pawatt wrote:
Sept.

x2!

[bradyk]

Being only a few hours from there we tend to go regularly for long weekends and week vacations. As suggested early in the year and a lot of the roads are not open yet especially Logan Pass. We have been in August and the Chalet at the top was not open and still completely buried up to the rooftop in snow. Mind you that was the only time at that time of year. We do prefer to go the first or second week of September. Weather is still almost August warm, few people, and everything still wide open. Go later in Sept. as mentioned and they always close parts of Logan pass down for construction. They are rebuilding the road and I believe I read somewhere it will take them around 10 years to get through it all. They do it basically at low season to make it easier for traffic and tourists.

[profdant139]

September is nice because the sunrise is a little later than it is during the summer -- otherwise, I never could have gotten out of bed in time to see this:

[pawatt]

Sept.

[katleman]

Have been there twice, in late June/early July. Both times Going to the Sun road had just opened.

Wouldn't go any earlier than that, and even then, there will be significant snow at Logan Pass, covering trails. Since I liked the snow up there, was the ideal time to go for me.

If you have time (at least an extra week) head up to Banff in Canada as well. Far more glaciers.

[n7bsn]

FYI
It snowed there last night.
Some years Going to the Sun isn't open on the 4th of July, most years, ya, but sometimes not. The same goes for many trails in the park.
If you don't like crowds, and want to see the entire park Sept is your only real choice. In fact make the early Sept, some years the snow starts sticking around in late Sept.
Heck, I've seen it snow there every month of the year.

[bukhrn]

May is too early as many of the roads won't be open, in fact Going to the Sun Road isn't open yet, (getting close though)the end of June/ early July will probably find everything open, Plus all the water falls will be prettier, as snow run off will still be rather high.
September will find the kids back in school, but depending on the weather, you will not be able to drive the entire road after September 21st.

[ed6713]

No news flash here.
Avoid times when school is out. June through August.
May and September are our favorite times to go camping at the major tourist places.