Local advice for visiting Glacier National Park in winter

Businessinsider: Amy Grisak, who has lived near Glacier National Park for 35 years, says visiting in the winter offers peace and solitude but requires preparation, and she shares four tips for offseason visitors.

A pass is required to enter the park even if the entrance is unmanned, and passes can be purchased online via the National Park Service website. Many roads are closed in winter, creating opportunities for cross‑country skiing and snowshoeing along Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road; ranger‑led snowshoe outings run on weekends from the end of December to the middle of March at the Apgar Visitor Center, and snowshoe rentals cost $2. Grisak also warns that weather can change rapidly, cell service is limited throughout most of the park, and visitors should wear layered, non‑cotton clothing with a wind‑breaking outer layer, a hat, and gloves, plus fill fuel tanks or charge electric vehicles before entering. If traveling to higher elevations, be prepared for changing winter conditions and be familiar with avalanche safety.

Many park services are technically closed from early October through late May, so visiting in winter requires more planning; Grisak says the quieter season is worth it. The story was originally published on November 23, 2024, and most recently updated on January 20, 2026.

Key Topics

Culture, Glacier National Park, Amy Grisak, Apgar Visitor Center, National Park Service, Snowshoeing