 NPS Show
Glacier's weather is highly variable and can be extreme. In winter, most of the park is covered in several feet of snow, and there are many cloudy, snowy days. In spring, rainy days and cooler temperatures are common, even throughout the month of June. Hot days and cool nights are normal throughout July and August. Hikers setting out on a warm summer day should expect changing conditions and bring rain gear and extra layers of clothing. In fall, temperatures begin cooling down, and snow may occur even at lower elevations as early as mid-September. Packing extra layers is the key to a comfortable visit regardless of season. ForecastsFor a current weather forecast of the entire park, please check Today's Forecast. More detailed forecasts can be found at West Glacier and St. Mary. For information on air quality in the park and surrounding region, please visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality website. Temperature & Precipitation AveragesBelow are average temperatures and precipitation numbers for West Glacier, Montana, which sits at around 3,200 feet (975 m) in elevation. The east side of the park is higher in elevation and often experiences cooler temperatures and stronger winds.
NPS Graphic It is generally 10 to 15 ºF cooler at higher elevations, such as at Logan Pass. Overnight lows throughout the park can drop to freezing, and snow might occur at any time of the year. The Continental DivideThe park straddles the Continental Divide, separating two very different climate zones on each side. Warm, wet Pacific air moves in from the west, with cold, dry Arctic air from the northeast, and the two meet at the Divide. Weather conditions on the west side of the park can thus be drastically different from conditions on the east side on a daily basis. Western valleys generally receive the most rainfall, but daytime temperatures can easily exceed 90 ºF. Strong winds, sunny days, and cooler temperatures are common on the east side. PrecipitationIn the driest corners of the park, along the northeast and northwest edges, rainfall averages 23 inches (58.4 cm) a year, while the lowlands of the west side receive about 30 inches (76.2 cm) of precipitation on average. Since moisture-laden air is forced up to high elevations at the Continental Divide and cools, the annual precipitation average jumps to 100 inches (2.5 m) or more in isolated mountain cirques. Snowfall settles to around a 16-foot (4.9 m) average snowpack. Early summer snow removal on Going-to-the-Sun Road takes months to complete (see the park’s Flickr album of the process). The east side gets less overall precipitation and is prone to high winds. Downslope gusts are often 50 mph or more, sometimes reaching 100 mph. Winter chinook ("snow-eater") winds regularly create a temporary spring, raising temperatures over 30 ºF in just minutes. If cold Arctic air pools deep enough on the east side to spill over the Divide and collide with Pacific moisture, raging blizzards can result. One dumped 44 inches (1.1 m) of snow in a single day. Climate ChangeLandmark scientific research on the effects of global climate change is currently ongoing in this mountain ecosystem. The park’s receding glaciers provide a revealing glimpse into how the warming climate is impacting our ecosystems and the world overall. While precipitation changes are more difficult to predict than shifts in temperature, scientists expect to see increasingly more precipitation fall here as rain (rather than as snow). This means alpine snowpack will continue to decrease in the future. With lower precipitation rates and less winter accumulation, the park’s remaining glaciers will continue to melt away. September is the best time to visit Glacier National Park! The weather is lovely, it’s far less crowded than summer, and you can even see fall colors starting mid-September! We’ve compiled everything you need to know about visiting Glacier in September, the top fall hikes, and other things to do in Glacier National Park. Does Glacier National Park have fall colors in September? Glacier in September has amazing fall colors! The trees change colors around mid-September and reach full gold foliage when the Larch trees change around mid-October. Is Glacier cold in September? It can be a bit cold. The average high in September is 72 down in West Glacier and the average low is 40. It might not seem cold but it’s typically 10-15 degrees colder up at Logan Pass. Similarly, Many Glacier is usually 10 degrees colder than West Glacier. Where can I see fall colors in Glacier? Glacier Valley is filled with Aspen trees! Fall colors are best enjoyed on the scenic drive up Going-to-the-Sun road but there are many great hikes with fall colors through all regions of the park. Do I need reservations to visit Glacier N.P. September? Nope! This is one of the great parts of visiting Glacier in September. You no longer need a Going to the Sun Road ticketed reservation after September 6th and the campgrounds are all first-come first-serve after Labor Day.
1 | Fewer CrowdsGlacier is one of the most stunning National Parks in America but it’s also one of the most crowded! In fact, doing a Yellowstone to Glacier National Park road trip was the most popular trip in the west this year! The good news is, when you summer turns to fall and September comes around, the park empties out fast! Glacier in September is a far less crowded than mid-summer which can make for a much more enjoyable experience whether you driving the Going to the Sun Road or hiking one of Glacier’s top 5 trails! 2 | Fall Colors in GlacierPlot twist, fall comes early in Rockies. While fall doesn’t technically begin until September 22nd this year, mountainous areas don’t get the memo. At high elevation like Glacier National Park, nightly low temperatures make the fall leaves change colors much sooner. This is great because during the great month of September, you can enjoy pleasant warm days and low crowd levels, while also enjoying beautiful fall colors! Best Time to See Fall ColorsGenerally, you can see fall colors best between mid-September and mid-October. Aspens are the first to turn colors around mid-september. Aspens change colors first on the west side of the Going to the Sun Road and eventually make their way to the east side of the park (including Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and St Mary’s) by the end of September. Western Larch trees are even more abundant in the park and even more spectacular to see however these don’t change color until mid-October. 3 | No Going to the Sun Road Pass RequiredThe Going to the Sun road is a Glacier bucket list adventure that you can’t miss! If you didn’t know, in Summer 2021 the National Park Service implemented a new ticketed entry system for Going to the Sun Road. This meant you had to obtain a ticket reservation in advance in order to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road. What great about visiting Glacier in fall is that after September 6th, you don’t need a ticketed entry to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road! 4 | Services Still AvailableWhile fall colors stay through October, many services don’t. Many campgrounds close in October as do most of the lodges and Visitor Centers inside the national park. In September, almost everything is still open! The Going-to-the-Sun road is usually open until the 3rd Monday of October but can often close sooner dependent on weather. In September, you’re almost guaranteed to be still able to drive the scenic highway. You can click here for current road status in the park. 5 | Backcountry Camping PermitsBackcountry camping permits are very difficult to obtain mid-summer. In September, it’s much easier to get these permits which are available in-person up to 24 hours in advance. What to Pack for Glacier National Park in SeptemberGear up right for glacier with our top 5 favorite outdoor essentials:
Things To Do in Glacier in September1 | Drive Going to the Sun RoadNo trip to Glacier is complete without driving the legendary scenic highway up to the top Logan Pass. On this drive, you’ll spot stunning fall colors. With less congestion, it’s easy to take your time and stop at all the great pullouts along the way. If you’re an active traveler, take a quick hike Hidden Lake Overlook. It’s not the best hike for fall colors, but it is one of the best glacier hikes. In the summer it’s always crazy crowded and in September, it’s so much more peaceful. In late September, don’t be surprised if the meadows are covered in snow. 2 | Go For A HikeWith fall colors and fewer crowds, September is great time to hike in this beautiful National Park. Some hikes give way for better fall foliage viewing opportunities. The east side of the Continental Divide has more coniferous Aspen trees which change color. This makes the hiking better at Many Glacier, Two Medicine, St Mary’s, and Apgar. Click here to scroll down to the top fall hikes in Glacier. 3 | Watch WildlifeWhile summer is certainly full of great wildlife viewing opporutnies, the possibility of seeing rare wildlife is even better in fall when bears are fattening up for the winter. Glacier is along a key North America migration routes and you’ll see many eagles, hawks, raptors, deer, elk, and more! 4 | Drive Highway 2Highway 2 is the highway just outside of Glacier National Park that takes you past West Glacier, to Essex, and beyond to East Glacier. This beautiful drive is full of hidden gems that most people don’t know to explore on a trip to Glacier. Click here to see the 5 of best hidden gems along highway 2. In late September, I recommend taking a day to drive this highway, either stopping and doing a hike, or just driving out to East Glacier Park Village and back. 5 | Explore Looking Glass Hill RoadKeep your scenic drive going from Highway 2 and continue onto Highway 49 to the 11 mile section of road known as Looking Glass Highway. This less popular scenic road give you views of Two Medicine fall colors from a high vantage point. 6 | Go for A Fall FloatRafting is all the rage in summer in Glacier but when temperatures start to drop, the idea of cold water might not sound so appealing. Fortunately, the Middle Fork river slows down in September and many rafting companies in the area offer relaxing, fall floats. Less about adrenaline, these floats give you great views of fall foliage. 7 | Bike the Camas Road in the North ForkPhoto credit: explorewhitefish.com The North Fork road is unpaved dirt road up near the Bowman Lake area. Biking the Going to the Sun Road is fun in spring, but in the fall, biking this dirt road is unforgettable due to vivid fall foilage. Best Fall Hikes in Glacier National ParkWhen it comes to fall hike sin Glacier, lower elevations usualy better. Here are some of the best treks to take on in September! Many Glacier Fall HikesMany Glacier is great place to find fall colors! There are many great hiking trails that bring you through fall foliage the best of which includes Bullhead Lake (7 mi RT). Iceberg Lake and Cracker Lake are stunning hikes too but don’t have quite as many colorful trees. If you’re looking for a shorter hike, try Apikuni Falls which is only 2 miles roundtrip. Two Medicine Fall HikesIf you’re looking for a strenuous fall hike, Firebrand Pass or Pitmakan-Dawson Pass loop are full of fall foliage aspen trees and delivers amazing panoramic views. These two hikes are 10 miles and 15 miles round-trip respectively and are no easy feat, but make for a memorable fall colors. If you don’t want a strenuous hike, the easy hike to Lower Two Medicine Lake is also great. Photo credit: 10adventures.com St Mary’s Fall HikesSt Mary’s area has two great fall picks. The Beaver Pond Loop (3.5 mi RT) may seem just average in the summer, but in fall it’s a colorful wonderland and a super easy way to see fall foliage. If you want a more epic hike, check out Gunsight Lake. While it’s not full of quite so many aspen trees, the alpine lake at the end is incredible. Apgar Fall HikesApgar is a better choice for fall hikes in very late September because it’s primarily Larch trees. If you are visiting at this time, Rocky Point is a beautiful fall hike with views of Lake McDonald too. Where to Stay in Glacier National Park in SeptemberMany Glacier Lodge or CampgroundMany Glacier brings you up close and personal with epic nature. When you stay up here, fall colors are right outside your front door whether you stay at the lodge or the campground. The lodge here is almost like a European Refugio, and if your budget allows for it, staying here is an unforgettable trip. If you want to be surrounded by nature more, Many Glacier Campground is probably the best National Park campground in the US. The campground has amazing forested sites and feels off-grid but also has comfortable amenities like flush toilets, drinking water, trash services. Many Glacier is open until September 27th by reservation only. Primitive camping (no amenities) begins September 28–October 31. Lake McDonald Lodge or Apgar CampgroundIf you’re visiting in late September when Larch trees begin to go golden, staying closer to Apgar and the Going to the Sun Road is a great choice. Lake McDonald Lodge is on the north end of the lake, right on the water and feels like a cozy cabin retreat. Apgar Campground is one of our favorites since you’re close to Apgar’s town amenities and still surrounded by forest. Apgar Campground is open through October 12th with all amenities. Cedar Creek LodgeCedar Creek Lodge is actually in Columbia Falls, just 15 minutes outside the park but is extremely popular. Staying here makes you closer to upscale ski town, Whitefish, and feels like staying at a ski resort in itself. Are you visiting Glacier this September? Let us know in the comments and tell us which of these things you’re most excited to see! Share this or Save it for Later & Pin It: Is September a good time to visit Glacier National Park?For most people, late June through mid-September is the best time to visit Glacier, because they want to drive the Going to the Sun Road, raft and fish the rivers, hike the trails, visit the backcountry Chalets, and explore several areas of the park, on both sides of the Continental Divide.
What clothes to pack for Glacier National Park in September?What to pack for your trip to Glacier National Park. Sunscreen.. Insect repellent.. Rain jacket.. Synthetic layers.. Hiking boots and/or comfortable shoes.. Extra socks.. Camera.. Refillable water bottles.. Is there snow in Glacier National Park in September?Most moisture falls as snow in Glacier National Park. The usual snow season is from mid-October to mid-June, but snow can fall at any time of year at higher elevations.
Is Glacier National Park crowded in late September?May through September is the busiest part of the year, with about three million people visiting during each summer season. The parking areas at popular destinations, like Logan Pass and Avalanche Creek, begin filling before sunrise and remain congested for most of the day.
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Average temperature in glacier national park in september
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