Glacier National Park is open year-round, and, while every season in the park is stunning, fall is uniquely magical. The park’s glacial-carved valleys and mountainsides are painted with the golden hues of autumn, amplifying the already jaw-dropping views. Fewer visitors, plus abundant birding and wildlife watching opportunities, make it one of the best times to enjoy the park. What’s more, vehicle reservations are not required to enter the park this time of year. Here are our top eight reasons why you should visit Glacier in its golden season.
SCENIC DRIVES
Chase fall colors and enjoy the sheer beauty of golden alpine forests. With a landscape that varies from jagged mountain peaks to sweeping meadows, Glacier has world-class, scenic drives. A favorite of ours is Looking Glass Road. This curvy route is located on the Blackfeet Reservation on the east side of the park. Along with picturesque views looking into Two Medicine, you’ll also have a chance of seeing wildlife, including bears and moose, in valleys along the highway. Being amazed by Glacier can be as simple as driving around.
WILDLIFE WATCHING
One thing that makes Glacier National Park so special is that we share the land with an abundance of beautiful, wild creatures; it’s home to 19 large mammals, including bear, moose and bighorn sheep. As one of the most intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states, there are plenty of opportunities to view wildlife. During the fall, deer, elk and moose are in rut and bears enter hyperphagia (a stage where they eat and drink nonstop to gain weight in preparation for hibernation), making it the most active season to spot wildlife. As always, remember that wildlife is just that–wild. Stay safe by respecting their space.
BIRDING
Glacier National Park’s pristine, well-preserved landscape makes for prime bird habitat—its skies graced with soaring raptors, its lakes and rivers flush with waterfowl and shorebirds, and its sweeping meadows and woodlands visited by beautiful songbirds. One bird you might spot here in fall is the golden eagle—one of North America’s largest and fastest birds of prey—as every fall thousands of them migrate through the park. Download a Glacier National Park bird checklist before your birding adventure. Attention volunteers! Don’t miss the park’s 2024 Annual Hawk Watch Training.
BOATING
Glacier National Park is home to some of the most pristine and untouched waters nature has to offer. Among its towering mountains, you’ll find expansive lakes like Lake McDonald, Bowman and Kintla lakes (in the North Fork area), Sherburne and Swiftcurrent lakes (in the Many Glacier area), plus St. Mary Lake and Two Medicine Lake. These waters offer stunning views of the park from a unique perspective. Vessels are permitted on park waters on the west side of the Continental Divide until October 31 and on the east side until the last Thursday in September. All watercraft launched in Glacier National Park must undergo an inspection for aquatic invasive species (AIS) before entering the water.
FISHING
Autumn, specifically, is an incredible time to fish Glacier—fewer folks on the water, quieter rivers, and some of the year’s best trout fishing. The Middle Fork of the Flathead River is chock-full of cutthroat and rainbow trout, prime for fly-fishing. You can also reel in lake trout on Lake McDonald or one of the park’s many glacial lakes. A fishing license is not required to fish inside park boundaries. The standard fishing season for most waters in the park is from the third Saturday in May through November 30. Before you plan your visit, read up on fishing regulations.
HIKING
Hiking is one of the most intimate ways to explore Glacier National Park. Touring the terrain by foot allows you to get up close and personal with nature. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of fall while hiking one of the park’s 734 miles of trails. Enjoy the uncrowded boardwalk on the Trail of the Cedars or the stillness of a hike through an alpine forest to a glacial lake or cascading waterfall.
GLACIER BY TRAIN
Travel along the edge of Glacier National Park on Amtrak’s Empire Builder—a fun and memorable experience. A round-trip journey from Whitefish to Cut Bank or a ride in from Seattle in the fall offers the opportunity to see Glacier draped in golden hues. There are several observation decks between the coach cars, and they provide incredible views. Cozy up—this very scenic and relaxing ride makes for a magical experience.
SHOULDER SEASON PRICING
Take advantage of shoulder season prices and less crowded destinations. Open year-round, LOGE Glacier National Park in Essex offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and modern comfort, or opt to stay at Wonderstone at Glacier in Columbia Falls, which provides a cozy retreat with convenient access to Glacier National Park. If you’re looking for a guided hike, rock climbing or backpacking excursion, Glacier Adventure Guides operates year-round in and around Glacier National Park. The Glacier Institute also offers guided fall hikes in the park.
Exploring Glacier National Park in the fall offers an unforgettable experience, ideal for travelers who enjoy self-guided tours and spotting more wildlife than people. Autumn provides an off-the-beaten-path chance to witness this part of the Crown of the Continent region at its finest. Before you go, keep in mind that the Going-to-the-Sun Road typically closes for the season in early October, or earlier if the weather dictates, and most lodging, restaurants and concession services in the park close by mid-October.
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents Recreate Responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
September 9, 2024
Related: Amtrak, Birding, Boating, Columbia Falls, Essex, Fall Fun, Family Fun, Fishing, Getting Around, Glacier National Park, Hiking, Montana, Parks, Road Trips, Stay, Vacation, Wildlife
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