Glacier National Park in Winter: Montana’s Best-Kept Secret

Every year, Glacier National Park draws over three million visitors, attracted to its breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and endless recreation opportunities. In the summer, that means heavy traffic, jam-packed trails, and campgrounds that book up months in advance.

But imagine experiencing this iconic landscape without the crowds, almost having the entire park to yourself.

How is that possible? Visit Glacier National Park in the winter.

An entrance sign for Glacier National Park. At the foot of it is a snowdrift and behind it are several log cabins and pine trees.

Only a tiny fraction (roughly 2-5 percent), of the park’s three million visitors come between December and February. But those few visitors are in for a rare treat. In the winter, Glacier Park is a snow-covered wonderland. The roads are mostly closed to vehicles, giving way to activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing through the frosty forests.

This quieter season draws adventure seekers who are ready to bundle up and venture beyond the car, though you don’t need to be an elite athlete to embrace it. Winter is also the most affordable time to visit, with hotels in nearby towns like Whitefish and Kalispell slashing rates to welcome intrepid winter travelers.

A snow-covered street, which has been recently plowed, runs through the center of a small town. Dozens of cars are parked along the street's sides and a decorative lampost and bench are in the foreground.

By sharing everything you need to know about winter in Glacier National Park, we hope to inspire more people to discover the magic of the off-season, spreading out the visitors and easing the pressure on wildlife, park staff, and the trails.

One other perk: You won’t have to worry about grizzly bears (much), since they should be hibernating.

Some links in this post are affiliates, meaning we may earn a small commission if you place an order. Your cost is the same!

Getting to Glacier National Park in the Winter

From November through March, Glacier Park essentially functions as a roadless wilderness. You cannot drive across the park in the winter, but you can enter from either side. The only roads open inside the park are from West Glacier to the Lake McDonald Lodge on the west side (11 miles) and from the St. Mary entrance to the St. Mary campground on the east side (two miles).

There are also a few hiking trails that branch off from the Walton Ranger Station on Highway 2 (the park’s southern boundary) and from the Polebridge ranger station on the northeastern boundary.

A snowy lakeshore with a forest of green pine trees behind it. The lake is nearly ice free, a thick fog emanates from it in the background.

Glacier has an entrance fee in the winter of $25 per vehicle (down from $35 the rest of the year) for U.S. residents, which allows for seven days in the park. Unfortunately, visitors from abroad (aged 16 and up) must now pay a nonresident fee of $100 per person, on top of the standard entry fee.

The entrance gates are unstaffed in the winter, so you’ll need to pay via the National Parks app or Recreation.gov, unless you have an annual pass. Cell service in Glacier is very spotty, so be sure to pay before you head to the park.

Avalanche Safety Warning

Before exploring the things to do in Glacier, a serious word of caution: avalanches pose a significant threat to visitors, and we don’t recommend traveling deep into the backcountry unless you’re experienced.

The Flathead Avalanche Center provides detailed forecasting and reporting for avalanche risk, so definitely consult their resources if you are experienced and are heading into the backcountry. For this guide, however, we’ll focus on areas of the park with little to no avalanche risk.

Things to Do in Glacier National Park in the Winter

With the lodges and most of the visitor center facilities closed for the winter, all of your activities are going to take place outside. You’ll need to be bundled up and ready for whatever hazards the weather brings. However, with a bit of preparation and a whole lot of love for adventure, there are a ton of fun things to do in Glacier Park in the winter.

If you need gear rentals like snowshoes or cross-country skis, stop at the Sportsman & Ski Haus in Whitefish before you head to the park.

Nordic Skiing in Glacier National Park

We love cross-country skiing in Montana, but nowhere is the experience as magical as at Glacier Park. The park’s trails and unplowed roads offer a “wilder” experience than the groomed cross-country areas, and with so many options, you’ll almost certainly have your trail all to yourself.

A stop sign topped with a smaller sign for Fish Creek Campground Road sits besides snow-covered road, which has some fresh ski tracks in it.

While none of the park’s trails are maintained in the winter, you won’t need backcountry touring skis, at least not for the relatively flat trails listed here. You will need to break trail, though, unless someone has recently traversed the same section. Having metal-edged cross-country skis and some beefier bindings is also helpful on these ungroomed routes.

These are several of our favorite trails for cross-country skiing in Glacier Park:

West Side of Glacier Park

Apgar to Fish Creek Campground (6 miles RT) – One of the most popular ski trips in the park is the relatively flat trail along the western edge of Lake McDonald. You can make it a loop by skiing through the forested section of the Fish Creek Bike Trail and then come back on the more open Camas Road.

A narrow ski track passes a brown sign that says "Fish Creek Bike Trail, Apgar Village 1.7 miles" into a stand of pine trees.

Bowman Lake (12 miles RT) – A stunning option for more experienced Nordic skiers, this trail from the Polebridge Ranger Station to Bowman Lake ascends almost 600 feet over six miles. As this is a road in the summer, it’s a wide trail, and the slope is gradual enough, but the length and remoteness might be too much for beginners. Seeing the lake is all its frozen glory is an experience unlike any other, though.

East Side of Glacier Park

St. Mary Campground to Rising Sun Inn (10 miles RT) – This nearly flat section of Going-to-the-Sun Road along St. Mary Lake’s northern shore has some of the most spectacular views in the park, with Red Eagle and Triple Divide Peak looming over the icy lake. You can make the route as short or as long as you like, but the Rising Sun Inn is a popular turn-around point as the road gets steeper past that.

A building with yellow siding and a brown sign that says "Rising Sun Motor Inn". The windows are boarded up and there is a snow-covered mountain in the distance. — The Rising Sun Motor Inn, all bundled up for winter.

Beaver Pond Loop or Red Eagle Creek (3-15 miles RT) – This is another out-and-back trail that’s as long as you want it to be, starting at the Beaver Pond Trailhead next to the St. Mary Historic Ranger Station. You can make a three-mile loop going out on the Beaver Pond Trail and coming back on the Red Eagle Trail. This is almost completely flat and suitable for beginner skiers.

Another option is to take the Red Eagle Lake Trail farther into the backcountry, turning around once you reach the bridge over Red Eagle Creek. This is about six miles total and has 200 feet of elevation gain. Avid skiers can go further, reaching the shore of St. Mary Lake, which is about 15 miles round-trip. Regardless of the route, you’ll have excellent views of the surrounding mountains, as much of this is a recent burn area.

Lower Two Medicine Lake (6-10 miles RT) – This trail is something of a secret because so many sources say the Looking Glass Highway, the access road to the park’s Two Medicine area, is closed in the winter. You can’t drive the entire highway, but it is plowed up to the turn-off at Red Eagle Campground. From there, you can ski along the road to the park boundary (6 miles RT) or to Running Eagle Falls (10 miles RT).

Snowshoeing in Glacier National Park

Cross-country skiing is a great way to see a lot of the park quickly, but if you’re not already a Nordic skier or are unaccustomed to non-groomed trails, snowshoeing might be a more appealing option. Snowshoes are also better for steep and narrow trails where skiers could find themselves getting out of control (and in Glacier park in winter, help is a long way away).

Snowshoeing is welcome anywhere in Glacier, including the cross-country trails mentioned above. Just be sure to not stomp through anyone else’s tracks (breaking trail is hard!).

Some of our favorite snowshoe-specific trails in Glacier Park include:

Apgar Lookout (7 miles RT) – One the most rewarding hikes in the park at any time of year, this trail climbs to the top of Apgar Lookout and offers sweeping views over Lake McDonald. It’s pretty challenging though, with more than 1,900 feet of elevation gain over 3.5 miles. Walking in snowshoes is much harder than taking a summer hike, so temper your expectations and give yourself plenty of time.

Otokomi Lake (21 miles RT) – This out-and-back hike starts on the north shore of St. Mary Lake before climbing 2,400 feet to Okotomi Lake. It’s quite a bit easier in the spring when the road between St. Mary Campground and the Rising Sun Inn opens, cutting 10 miles of flat lands from the journey.

A pair of grey, plastic snowshoes sit on a hillside covered in fresh powder. In the background is a stand of barren and burnt tree trunks and a snow-capped mountain.

South Boundary (5 miles RT) – An out-and-back hike from West Glacier alongside the Middle Fork of the Flathead River that can be as long or as short as you’d like. It begins at the delightfully photogenic Belton Bridge, before gaining (and losing) roughly 1000 feet of elevation in the first two and half miles, which is why we don’t recommend it as a ski trail. After that, it’s roughly river grade for the next few miles to the intersection with the Lincoln Creek trail.

Ranger-Led Snowshoe Hikes

The only park-organized activity during the winter in Glacier National Park, these ranger-led snowshoe hikes are ideal for families with kids, novice snowshoers, or anyone seeking a more educational outing. And they’re completely free (snowshoe rentals are available for $2).

The hikes typically run from late December through mid-March, though they’re heavily weather-dependent and will be cancelled if it’s below 10 degrees.

Several tourists walk through deep snow in a pine forest. They are wearing snowshoes.

Tours depart from the Apgar Visitor Center and follow easy, flat trails for about two hours. Expect plenty of stops along the way to discuss wildlife, snow conditions, and how the park functions in its quieter off-season months.

Wild Ice Skating

Throwing a pair of ice skates in your backpack and hiking out to a frozen lake probably isn’t on most people’s Glacier Park bingo card, but it’s a uniquely memorable experience.

Unfortunately, the park’s large lakes are rarely safe for skating, even when they appear solidly frozen, due to currents, snow insulation, and variable ice thickness. So don’t try to go skating on Lake McDonald or St. Mary Lake.

A much safer choice is one of the smaller, high-elevation ponds that freeze reliably. Two good options include:

Johns Lake: About a 7-mile round-trip hike or snowshoe from Lake McDonald Lodge in winter

Avalanche Lake: A 14-mile round-trip from Lake McDonald Lodge during the full winter closure, but only about 4 miles round-trip in the shoulder seasons (October/November and April/May), when Going-to-the-Sun Road is open as far as Avalanche Creek

No matter where you go, wild ice always carries risk. Make sure you:

Cut a test hole with a hatchet to measure thickness. You need at least four inches of solid ice for safe skating.
Carry ice picks to help pull yourself out if you break through.
Skate with a partner, and let someone know your plans.

Winter Camping in Glacier Park

Few visitors choose to tent camp in Glacier National Park in winter, so this section mainly applies to those with RVs, trailers, or truck-bed campers.

Both St. Mary and Apgar campgrounds remain open year-round, though “open” looks different in winter. Only a limited number of sites are available, but you won’t face much (or any) competition for them, and all are first-come, first-served. Pit toilets are available, but there are no hook-ups and running water shuts off completely, so bring all your own drinking water and don’t expect a shower.

Accessing your site will require some effort, too. Crews plow the roads to the sites, but they leave the sites themselves covered in snow. If you want to use your picnic table or fire ring, you’ll need to grab a shovel and dig it out yourself.

Backcountry Camping

I’m not sure who this is of interest to, but Glacier’s backcountry campsites are also available during the winter. Permits are required for all backcountry trips, and can be reserved by phone or email.

We have no firsthand knowledge of this experience, but hats off to you if this is in your wheelhouse. You are far tougher than us! Make sure you come prepared, and stay safe out there.

PIN IT!

a graphic showing a snowy forest with a river running through it. In white text it says "Visiting Glacier National Park in the Winter".

A graphic of a snow-covered lake and mountains. In white text it says "Experience Winter in Glacier National Park".

Winter Tours of Glacier Park

If the idea of exploring Glacier National Park in winter feels intimidating, you’re not alone; many visitors opt to go with a professional guide instead. Just a few outfitters are authorized to operate in the park during the winter, and all run their tours from the west entrance.

Take a winter driving tour for a stress-free day of visiting Glacier’s most iconic sights
Do a cross-country skiing tour (recommended if it’s your first time)
If you’re not visiting when the ranger-led hikes are available, you can still go on this guided snowshoe tour

These private or small-group tours typically include hotel pick-up, transportation, gear rentals, lunch and snacks, expert instruction on winter safety, and insights into the park’s ecology and wildlife. Guided experiences are significantly more expensive than going solo, but the expertise, convenience, and peace of mind, especially for beginners or those unfamiliar with winter driving, are often worth the investment.

What You Can’t Do in Glacier Park in the Winter

We love Glacier Park in winter and think there’s more than enough to do on a visit, But in the interest of transparency, we need to be honest about what you can’t do in the park this time of year.

Drive on Most of the Roads

During the winter, Glacier Park functions more like a wilderness area – almost completely roadless. That’s part of what makes it so fun! No honking horns, no exhaust fumes, no traffic jams, and no grumpy tourists wondering why it takes hours to drive 50 miles of highway.

These are a few exceptions, but conditions and access can change quickly depending on weather and staffing, so be sure to check the park’s road map for recent updates.

Going-to-the-Sun Road: The park’s iconic road typically closes (mostly) from mid-October to mid-June. In winter, it’s usually open from the West Glacier entrance to Lake McDonald Lodge (11 miles), but it’s sometimes only open from the entrance to Apgar Visitor Center (2 miles). On the east side, the only plowed section is about two miles around the end of the lake, from the St. Mary entrance and just past St. Mary Campground. In late-fall and again in early-spring, you can drive a bit farther along the road from either end, and access some additional trails.

A snow-free highway leads past a wooden sign for Rising Sun Campground. Along side the road are some scattered patches of snow and in the distance, steep and snow-covered mountains. — Section between St. Mary Campground and Rising Sun that opens in the spring.

Two Medicine: The Looking Glass Highway along the park’s eastern edge is closed for the winter, but county road crews do plow the first four miles of Highway 49, from East Glacier to the turnoff at Lower Two Medicine Lake. Skiing and snowshoeing along the lake, to the park boundary or to Running Eagle Falls, is a popular trip.

Polebridge: North Fork Road, from Columbia Falls to Polebridge and on to the Canadian border stays open, but all of the roads inside the northwestern corner of the park are closed in the winter. The road from the Polebridge Mercantile to the park boundary (1.5 miles) is unlikely to be plowed, but is at least open to traffic.

Icy roads near the Polebridge entrance to Glacier National Park. A few log cabin sit next to a snow-covered road.

Stay in the Park Lodges

Glacier’s lodges were modeled after Swiss chalets, but don’t go looking for an apres experience during the winter here; they’re all boarded up. The lodges aren’t entirely empty, though – a few dedicated caretakers stay behind all winter to maintain them and have them ready for tourists come spring-time. If that sounds a bit creepy and Shining-esque, it absolutely is, and remember that the movie’s opening sequence was shot along St. Mary Lake.

A three story Swiss-chalet style buildings with balconies. A massive snowdrift sits in front of it and the windows are all boarded up.

The Many Glacier Lodge is especially isolated since it’s almost 20 miles from the nearest road. Caretakers have to spend five months there with no trips to the outside world. So if you are one of the intrepid skiers who makes it out there during the winter, be sure to say hi! No doubt they could use the company.

Visit the Polebridge Mercantile

Eating a huckleberry bearclaw at the “Merc” is a Glacier tradition, but it’s one you can only enjoy from April to October. Sadly, you also won’t get to see the delightful Great Pyrenees that lounge around the mercantile when it’s open.

A white Great Pyrenees dog stands outside a two-story brick building that says Polebridge Mercantile in large white letters.

Pro tip: Plan ahead, and get your snack pastry from one of the breakfast spots in Whitefish.

Go to the Visitor Centers (mostly)

We always enjoy chatting with rangers and watching the park orientation film whenever we visit a new national park. In winter, though, that’s mostly not an option at Glacier. Both the St. Mary Visitor Center and the Logan Pass Visitor Center (high up on Going-to-the-Sun Road) are closed for the season.

Two flagpoles with loosely-hanging American and Canadian flag, with a snow covered building in the background.

The Apgar Visitor Center is closed in November and the first half of December, and then stays open on weekends only for the rest of winter. During the week, you can still fill your water bottle, use the restrooms, or pick up a brochure, as these are accessible from outside the building.

Things to Do Near Glacier Park in the Winter

While there’s no shortage of winter activities at Glacier Park, the Flathead Valley just outside of it is one of the most popular destinations in Montana and has a wealth of things to do (some of them are even inside!).

Ski at Whitefish Mountain.

If you’re a skier, you can’t take a winter trip to Glacier National Park without hitting the slopes at Whitefish Mountain. Just 20 minutes from the town of Whitefish, it strikes the perfect balance between a full-fledged resort and a classic local hill. SKI Magazine recently ranked it #1 for “Local Flavor,” and it’s easy to see why.

It boasts some of the best snow and most varied terrain of any ski area in Montana, with lift tickets just over $100.

Dozens of skiers in colorful jackets line up at chairlift.

Take a guided snowmobile tour.

Cross-country skiing is wonderful, but let’s be honest, it’s exhausting.

That’s why many winter visitors to Glacier National Park choose to explore the surrounding forests by snowmobile. Snowmobiles are not permitted inside Glacier’s boundaries, but there’s plenty of accessible forest just outside its boundaries. Local tour companies offer guided options ranging from two-hour adventures to full-day excursions, and no prior experience is required.

Cruise the winter trails on a fat tire bike.

For most of us, bike season ends as soon as the roads and trails start to ice over. Snow and ice are no match for a fat tire bike, though. At Dog Creek Nordic Center, just 20 minutes north of Whitefish, you can rent one and cruise around their 18 miles of groomed trails. The Center is on the Indy Pass if you happen to have one.

Go dashing through the snow in a two-horse open sleigh.

Another option for a scenic adventure without the cardio workout is riding in a horse-drawn sleigh. Bar W Guest Ranch and The Lodge at Whitefish Lake offer hour-long rides with various cozy amenities including hot cocoa, cookies, and blankets to block the chill.

Visit the Ski Museum in Whitefish

After a chilly day of playing in the snow, warming up in a cozy museum will be incredibly appealing. Whitefish’s Ski Heritage Center is a charming cabin with just one large room filled with exhibits. You can easily spend up to an hour here exploring the origins of skiing and its role in shaping Whitefish’s growth. When we visited, a friendly basset hound greeted us, a delightful bonus that likely depends on which volunteer is on shift.

A pair of arm chairs in front of a wood fireplace and between two exhibit boards covered in black and white photographs of skiers.

Sink into a cozy coffee shop or restaurant.

Speaking of places to warm up, Whitefish has some of the best coffee shops, breakfast joints, dive bars, and gourmet restaurants to tuck into when you’ve had enough of the snow. Some of our favorites include Wild Coffee Company, Amazing Crepes, Bonsai Brewing Project, and Abruzzo Italian Kitchen.

A chalkboard sandwich board sign with a multi-color menu on it sits outside a shop with a sign that says "Amazing Crepes" in the window. A wrought iron patio table and two chairs sits outside it.

Where to Stay Near Glacier Park in Winter

While there are an abundance of campgrounds, lodges, and cabins by Glacier Park, most close up shop for the off-season. These are some of the best places to stay near Glacier on a winter trip:

Closest to the Park

Wonderstone at Glacier – If your top priority is being as close as possible to the park, staying in Columbia Falls, only 20 minutes away, is your best option. It doesn’t have a ton of shopping or attractions, but there are plenty of great restaurants and bars, as well as grocery stores.

Wonderstone at Glacier is a charming boutique hotel that remains remarkably affordable. Its rooms blend a modernist aesthetic with quirky touches to create a fun feel you won’t find at chain hotels.. The lobby features a cozy coffee bar, comfortable couches, and expansive windows, creating an inviting spot to relax after a day of snowy adventures.

LOGE Glacier – The best option if you want to visit both sides of the park, LOGE is roughly 30 minutes from either the West Glacier or Two Medicine entrance. Originally built in 1939 by the Great Northern Railroad, it retains much of the old-school park lodge charm – and boasts a private Nordic ski track in winter, along with unique cabins made from retrofitted railroad cabooses. The only downside is there’s not much around.

Whitefish

Most Glacier winter visitors stay in the nearby town of Whitefish, about 30 minutes east of the park’s western entrance. While Whitefish’s hotels are notoriously expensive during the summer, they’re downright affordable in the winter. Whitefish also has some of our favorite coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants, making it a great place to stay on a winter trip to Glacier.

These are a few of best hotels in Whitefish:

Firebrand Hotel: If Glacier Park in the winter is a bucket-list experience for you, we have to recommend staying here. Guests are treated to a ski valet, rooftop patio and hot tub with incredible views of the mountains, and a location that’s within walking distance of all the great bars and restaurants in Whitefish.

A three story brick hotel with balconies extending from each of the rooms. The sign above the entrance says Firebrand and several cars drive in front of it on a recently plowed road.

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake: As the name suggests, this hotel sits on the shores of Whitefish Lake, providing guests with a spectacular winter wonderland view. There’s also a lakefront hot tub, and they even have free ice skates and snowshoes for guests to use.

Two-story wooden building with a covered entrance and snow on the roof and ground in front.

Apres: One of the more affordable accommodations in Whitefish – and it still maintains a gorgeous boutique aesthetic – Apres offers a cozy ski chalet experience with an outdoor fire pit and sauna. The nightly rate is also half of what many other Whitefish hotels charge.

A wooden sign with black lettering says "Apres, Whitefish MT". Behind it is a two-story building with black siding and natural wood accents. The parking lot and surrounding lawn is covered in snow and several cars are in its parking lot.

Kalispell

Whitefish may be a bargain in the winter, but most of its hotels would be classified as luxury or boutique. For a more budget-friendly stay while visiting Glacier Park in the winter, consider the hotels in Kalispell instead, just 40 minutes from the park. Since it’s a larger town, there are also more shopping and dining options that aren’t geared so much toward the tourist crowd.

Travelodge Kalispell – At just around $50/night, this must be one of the cheapest hotels in Montana during the winter. There’s certainly nothing fancy about a Travelodge, but it’s a place to lay your head after a long day of adventures. More importantly, they participate in the Winter in Kalispell Package, which gives visitors two free lift tickets to Blacktail Mountain with a two-night reservation booked through Discover Kalispell.

Kalispell Hostel – There aren’t very many hostels in Montana, and this one is somewhat unconventional. It’s an apartment above a bike shop with three separate bedrooms, each with a bunkbed, a common living space with kitchen, and one and half shared baths. It’s a great option if you like meeting like-minded travelers who are also excited to experience Glacier Park in the winter.

A storefront with the word "Wheaton's" in large red letters and a nearly floor to ceiling window. A bike rack sits in front of the window with a few bicycles chained to it, and beside it the window is a blue door with a window above it that says "Kalispell Hostel".

Switchback Suites – These stunning studios are something of a boutique option, but you get a lot for a price that’s not much more than a chain hotel. Their apartments feature one-of-a-kind murals on the walls, a fully-stocked kitchenette, and washers and dryers to wash off that sweaty baselayer.

A red fourplex with a grey crossover SUV parked in front of it. The vehicle and lawn has a light dusting of snow, as does the a wooden sign that says "Switchback Suites".

We hope this has convinced you to try an off-season visit to one of America’s best parks! Winter in Glacier Park really is a magical experience, and one that makes an unforgettable trip.

Let us know if you have any questions about visiting Glacier National Park in the winter!