Glacier National Park in October
October at Glacier National Park averages a daytime high near 52°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 3.1" of precipitation and roughly 2" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes October a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 52°F
Range across the year: 19°F to 80°F
- Precipitation
- 3.1 in
- Snowfall
- 2 in
- Daylight
- 10.5 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 110,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (3.3×) and the February low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 53/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 42°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 69% of annual visitors, choosing October instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 10.5 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 8.1-hour midwinter low and the 15.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,136,557 recreation visits, down 2.3% from 3,208,755 in 2024.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 68°F / 41°F | 2.0× Very busy | 53 Fair |
| October | 52°F / 33°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 53 Fair |
| November | 37°F / 26°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
All twelve months at Glacier, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in October 2026
The National Park Service lists these Glacier facilities as closed during October 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Fish Creek Campground (campground): closed all month (September 4, 2026 to May 14, 2027)
- Rising Sun Campground (campground): closed all month (September 5, 2026 to May 28, 2027)
- Cut Bank Campground (campground): closed all month (September 20, 2026 to May 28, 2027)
- Avalanche Campground (campground): closed all month (September 21, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- Logan Pass Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 28, 2026 to June 26, 2027)
- St. Mary Visitor Center (visitor center): closed from October 5, 2026 to May 21, 2027
- Many Glacier Campground (campground): closed from October 20, 2026 to June 4, 2027
- Apgar Visitor Center (visitor center): closed from October 26, 2026 to December 18, 2026
- Logging Creek Campground (campground): closed from October 26, 2026 to June 26, 2027
Things to do at Glacier in October
The National Park Service tags 33 Glacier activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 52°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Glacier National Park, with about 3.1 inches of precipitation and roughly 2 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is very quiet at Glacier National Park (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 53/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. October sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 110,000 recreation visits at Glacier National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Glacier in October
Booking a October trip to Glacier National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Glacier
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Glacier in October?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Glacier by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in October.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.