If you’re looking for things to do on a Glacier National Park winter trip, you’ll be surprised at how much there is to do. Inside the park, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and winter hiking provide a beautiful winter experience. Or you could just admire the scenery.
Winter is a fine time to visit this lovely corner of Montana. And you’ll practically have the place to yourself. So stock up your winter driving kit and head to Glacier!
Your itinerary will require a bit more planning than a summer road trip to Montana but those beautiful snowy scenes of Lake McDonald in winter are worth it! And visiting Glacier National Park in the winter is not as complicated as you might expect.
Most of the services in the park will not be open, including the alpine section of Going to the Sun Road (it’s open from the West Entrance to Lake McDonald Lodge in winter). But don’t let that stop you. If you enjoy visiting Glacier National Park but hate the summer crowds, this winter adventure is for you.
On a recent Montana winter vacation to Glacier National Park, Alan and I discovered a frozen wonderland devoid of people. Of course visiting national parks in winter—when they’re mostly closed—involves a bit of travel planning, so follow my advice for a cold weather trip that will satisfy your itchy travel feet.
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How to plan a Glacier National Park winter trip
A winter vacation in Glacier National Park is all about outdoor activities, especially snowshoeing and cross country skiing — snow hiking is also a possibility.
I recommend having firm lodging reservations in place before leaving home. Spontaneous travel is fun but it can get you in trouble when traveling to off-season destinations in cold climates like Montana.
When Alan and I began planning our trip, we started at the source—the National Park Service’s official Glacier National Park page for winter trip planning.
With two exceptions, all of the facilities in the park are closed, including most of Going to the Sun Road, Many Glacier, Logan Pass and the east side of the park.
Currently, the Western Entrance to Glacier National Park is the only entrance open year round. In the winter, the West Glacier Headquarters building is staffed during the week. The Apgar Visitor Center is closed but restrooms and an interpretive area are open. There’s also a station for filling water bottles.
During our late February trip, the park was experiencing a mild spell, which meant excellent road conditions and moderate temperatures (high 20’s to 40’s). But weather conditions in Glacier National Park are extremely changeable. That’s why we were constantly checking the National Weather Service report for West Glacier and monitoring Montana road conditions.
Glacier National Park winter lodging
All of the Glacier National Park lodges and most West Glacier accommodations close down for the winter. You’ll find accommodations in Columbia Falls, Kalispell and the ski resort town of Whitefish. I highly recommend making reservations before arriving.
Columbia Falls is located 22 miles from Glacier National Park. While there are several lodging choices, Cedar Creek Lodge, operated by Glacier National Park Lodges, offers a complimentary hot breakfast plus free shuttle to Whitefish Mountain Resort.
I also recommend renting a vacation rental in the West Glacier area. This gives you a convenient headquarters that’s close to the park plus you’ll have a kitchen for meal preparation (buy your groceries in Columbia Falls), as not many restaurants in West Glacier are open during the winter.
You’ll find an assortment of mid-range hotels in Kalispell, 34 miles away, along with restaurants and breweries. For an extra special stay, check out Coyote Bluff Estate in nearby Somers.
If you enjoy a ski atmosphere, consider the charming town of Whitefish, 26 miles from Glacier. Stay in town at The Firebrand Hotel for easy walking to shops and eateries.
Or join the ski crowd at Whitefish Mountain Resort (check prices here). This puts you a little farther away from Glacier National Park but closer to other winter activities, especially ski-related ones.
Boomer Travel Tip
If you enjoy cold weather destinations, check out our winter travel planner to make the most of your trip.
Staying at historic Izaak Walton Inn on a winter trip to Glacier National Park
On our trip, we chose Izaak Walton Inn, Essex, Montana (27 miles from Glacier’s West entrance), now known as LOGE Glacier MT, excellent restaurant and on-site cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails.
Built in the late 1930’s to house Great Northern Railroad personnel—and later to be used as a resort for an entrance to Glacier National Park that never materialized. The rooms are adequate but not luxurious, however they do come with private baths and a ton of history.
For more unique lodging, consider reserving one of the luxury railroad cars or cabooses. That’s our choice for next time.
Alan and I enjoyed sipping wine by the fireplace in the lobby area each evening (and trading stories with other guests) before heading into dinner at the Dining Car Restaurant (now the LOGE Cafe). The generously portioned food is excellent, especially considering the inn’s remote location.
At Izaak Walton Inn, you’ll find groomed trails for every level of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing plus equipment rentals and lessons. The Essex area is known for its prolific snows, which means a long ski season.
If the roads are hazardous, you’ll still find plenty to do without having to drive anywhere. Accommodation rates include a pass for the trails.
If you’re daytripping in Glacier National Park, order a picnic lunch before leaving Izaak Walton, or plan for a late afternoon lunch at Glacier Grill and Pizza in West Glacier. That’s what we did.
Be sure to pack water and snacks for a winter outing in Glacier National Park as all services are closed.
Glacier National Park winter activities
Although snowmobiles aren’t allowed in Glacier National Park, you’ll find plenty of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. During our mid-week visit, Going to the Sun Road was cleared to the gate at Lake McDonald Lodge.
After parking in the lot, Alan and I hiked on a four-mile round trip along the unplowed portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road. The snow was packed down enough that snowshoes were not necessary, although I used hiking poles for stability. In sunny areas, the snow became quite slick.
What about wildlife? While grizzly bears will be hibernating, a snowy landscape makes it easier to spot elk, deer and moose. Birdlife includes harlequin ducks, white-tailed ptarmigans and even stellar jays.
Although we saw a few other hardy souls, it felt as if Alan and I had the park to ourselves. Trees crowded in on both sides of the road with an occasional mountaintop peaking up through the distance. A Glacier National Park snowshoe experience is a quiet, peaceful journey through nature that we hope to repeat.
If you’re looking for free Glacier National Park winter tours, rangers lead two-hour snowshoe walks from the Apgar Visitor Center on the weekends. The walks are free and rentals are available for those who don’t have snowshoes.
And the closed portion of Going to the Sun Road is not the only cross country skiing trail. Heres a park map with all of your choices.
Cross country skiing trials in the Apgar section of Glacier National Park include:
- Lower McDonald Creek, 2 to 3 miles round trip
- Rocky Point, 6 miles round trip
- Site of the Old Flathead Ranger Station, 10 miles round trip
- McGee Meadow Loop, 11.5 miles round trip
- Apgar Lookout, 10.5 miles round trip. Not recommended for beginners.
Don’t forget your cameras. If there is no wind and the day is sunny, reflections in McDonald Lake offer amazing photographic opportunities.
Look for pullouts with obvious paths leading down to the sandy shores of the lake. You’ll return home with Glacier National Park winter photos to amaze your family and friends.
Many of our photos from that day ended up in Coloring Glacier National Park, A Grayscale Coloring Book for Travelers.
Boomer Travel Tip
Check out more of our national park travel ideas.
How to visit Glacier National Park in the winter without a car
Alan and I are fortunate that Glacier National Park is a simple 4-hour road trip from our Montana home. But most people aren’t that lucky.
Why not let Amtrak do the driving for you? Board the Amtrak Empire Builder in Seattle, Chicago or Minneapolis for a scenic journey to Izaak Walton Inn in Essex—yes the train stops here. You’ll be all set with comfortable accommodations, great food and plenty to do.
Glacier National Park guided snowshoe and cross-country skiing tours can be booked from Izaak Walton. Or reserve a rental car ahead of time. It will be waiting for you at the Inn.
What to wear on a cold weather trip
On our visit, cold weather wasn’t that much of a factor, although it certainly can be. I was comfortable wearing a merino wool base layer under safari pants.
Up top, I wore a merino wool base layer, long sleeve turtleneck and fleece jacket. I started out with a neck warmer and hat as well but soon became warm and off came the jacket, neck warmer and hat. Alan and I both appreciated the hand and toe warmers we had tucked into our gloves and hiking boots.
If you live in a warm weather climate and only take the occasional winter trip, my advice for cold weather gear for women that packs light will help. And here’s the version for men.
We lucked out with mild weather. You may not.
Frigid temperatures and lots of snow are the norm, and the weather changes quickly. Always be prepared with extra layers of clothing in your backpack.
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