Winter

Winter offers an otherworldly look at Glacier National Park as massive amounts of snow fall over the park, turning it into a life-size snow globe. During winter, most of the park's roads are closed from snowfall, but visitors can travel approximately 12.5 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. From the west side, the road is open 11 miles from Apgar to Lake McDonald Lodge, while it's open 1.5-miles in from St. Mary.

Despite limited road access, there are many activities and things to do during winter. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, accessible from Lake McDonald Lodge, is a perfect destination for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Meanwhile, the National Park Service offers ranger-led snowshoe walks on Saturdays and Sundays from early January to late March. Tours depart at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. from Apgar Visitor Center and take participants on a lovely stroll along McDonald Creek and through the Oxbow as they look for signs of wildlife and have an up-close look at winter in Glacier National Park.

There are also guided tours and activities in the park during the winter months, with Glacier Adventure Guides offering guide-led snowshoe and cross-country skiing excursions into the park's winter oasis.

Automobile and winter camping are available inside Glacier National Park at Apgar and St. Mary, while lodging is available outside the park in Essex, Columbia Falls and West Glacier.