Winter in Glacier National Park offers quiet adventures, from wildlife watching to exploring snow-covered trails. While the park transforms into a peaceful winter wonderland, it’s still important to prepare and plan ahead for your visit this time of year. For a safe and memorable experience, please know before you go.
PARK ACCESS AND RECREATION
Snow falls early and often in Glacier National Park, closing most of the park’s roads to motorized vehicles. That means you can Nordic ski and snowshoe these snow-covered routes. Going with a guide is the best way to ensure an ideal experience.
The Glacier Institute guides three winter programs: Full Moon Snowshoe, Winter Snowshoe, and Winter Tracking Adventure. Glacier Adventure Guides offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing and winter camping. Whitefish Outfitters and Tour Glacier both offer combination guided driving tours and snowshoe treks through the park, with the option to customize time and location for your group. Whitefish Outfitters also offers winter rentals of snowshoes, sledding tubes and cross-country skis. Here’s a National Park Service map of popular trails.
While the Apgar Visitor Center is closed, drinking water and restrooms are available there. Be aware that cell service is limited or nonexistent in the park. Check the weather before you head out, prepare for snow, and dress for rapidly changing conditions. Plan to be self-sufficient and bring any gear, food and necessities for your activity.
Avalanche safety should always be top of mind when you’re headed into the deep stuff. Carry avalanche safety gear, know the red flags of an unstable snowpack, check the avalanche forecast and get educated in avalanche safety.
LODGING + CAMPING
Glacier National Park lodges are closed during the winter months, but not all lodging in the park is closed during this time. Plan ahead, and you should be able to find availability at West Glacier Bear Cabin or Apgar Lookout Retreat. Otherwise, consider a stay outside the park in one of Glacier Country’s small towns. Some of our lodging recommendations include Cedar Creek Lodge, ROAM Beyond and Wonderstone at Glacier in Columbia Falls, as well as LOGE Glacier in Essex, which includes more than 30 kilometers of Nordic trails on the property.
If you’re an experienced winter camper and stargazing is on your itinerary, Loop B of the Apgar Campground is available for primitive camping and has some of the best night skies in the area. Note: The campground has a vault toilet, no running water, and availability is first-come, first-served. For the more adventuresome, backcountry camping is also an option with an advance reservation, and permits are available here.
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BE WILDLIFE WISE
When the park is quieter, the likelihood of spotting wildlife increases. And while seeing a moose, elk or fox may be on your bucket list, remember to stay at least 25 yards from all wildlife (and 100 yards from bears). Never approach, touch or feed wildlife, even when an animal does not seem to be threatened by your presence.
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.
December 2, 2024
Related: Columbia Falls, Essex, Glacier National Park, Montana, Nordic Skiing, Outdoor Fun, Recreate Responsibly, Snowshoeing, Stay, Vacation, Wildlife, Winter Fun
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