WINTER
in Glacier National Park
ACTIVITIES
Cross-Country Skiing
Winter skiing throughout Glacier offers access to spectacular scenery and uncrowded recreational opportunities. It is important to be aware of current avalanche conditions if you plan to recreate in the park during the winter.
Please visit the park’s page on Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing for more information, travel tips and trail maps.
snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a popular way to get out on the trails in the winter. The Apgar area is open year-round, and is a great place to set off on a snowshoe adventure.
Be aware that high elevation trailheads will not be accessible, and avalanche danger can exist.
Visit the park’s website for more snowshoeing information.
enjoying the solitude
One of the easiest ways to enjoy Glacier in the winter is to bundle up and enjoy the peace and solitude of the park along the shore of Lake McDonald.
Look for signs of wildlife by observing their tracks in the snow. If you come across any wildlife, remember to maintain a safe distance and observe them with binoculars, spotting scopes, or long telephoto lenses.
CAMPING
There is no lodging available in the park in winter, but there are camping opportunities for adventurous and self-sufficient travelers. Car camping is available at the Apgar Picnic Area and St. Mary Campground in the winter.
For wilderness camping in winter, permits are issued electronically by advance reservation only. Call 406-888-7800 and press 5 to leave a call-back number or email glac_backcountry_permits@nps.gov with your request. A ranger will return your call within 3 business days.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Winter is the quietest and longest season in Glacier, and the park receives significant snowfall every year. There are still activities to do in the park for self-reliant visitors. By the middle of December, there are very few plowed roads in Glacier.
Visitors can cross-country ski and snowshoe on sections of the road that are unplowed. Apgar Village and a mile and a half on the east side are the only roads maintained during the winter.
