Glacier National Park in September is fabulous. The air is crisp, fall colours are beginning to pop, and most significantly, the crowds are starting to skinny. But if you’re considering of visiting Glacier National Park this fall, there are additionally many belongings you want to bear in mind to correctly put together in your journey.
Before you guide your journey to Glacier National Park in September, be sure to learn the following tips! And, don’t simply go to the park, make sure to attempt a couple of of those adventurous issues to do close to Glacier National Park too, or plan one in every of these Montana weekend getaways.
Visiting Glacier National Park in September
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Mid-September is a perfect time to go to Glacier National Park if you’re trying to get pleasure from most areas of the park with out giant crowds. Keep in thoughts that many components of Glacier National Park are closed from fall by way of late spring, because the Going-to-the-Sun Road typically doesn’t absolutely open till late June.
Many of the lodges and companies start to close down by mid- to late-September, and Going-to-the-Sun Road closes by mid- to late-October, relying on the climate. This makes September a real candy spot for visiting Glacier National Park, particularly when the Aspen and Larch timber begin to present their lovely golden hues. But you continue to should be ready!
If you need assistance planning a visit to Glacier National Park, my good friend Bryanna has put collectively a terrific Glacier National Park Guide with 39 pages of stop-by-stop directions, mountain climbing choices by issue stage, eating suggestions, and insider suggestions. It even contains an alternate RV itinerary for RVers!
1. Know in case you want automobile reservations
You have most likely heard that you simply want automobile reservations to go to many components of Glacier National Park throughout the summer season. In 2023, a automobile reservation is required for the next areas of the park: Going-to-the-Sun Road, the North Fork, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier. However, every location has completely different necessities and requires a separate reservation.
The excellent news is that reservations aren’t required after September 10, 2023! But if you’re visiting in early September, preserve the next in thoughts:
- A Going-to-the-Sun Road reservation is required for automobiles coming into by way of the West entrance from May 26 by way of September 10, 2023, from 6 am to three pm and people coming into by way of the St. Mary entrance from July 1 by way of September 10, 2023, from 6 am to three pm The part of the highway that requires reservations is from the West Entrance Station, Camas Entrance Station, and the Rising Sun checkpoint situated 6 miles west of the St. Mary Entrance. Reservations are good for 3 consecutive days.
- Vehicle reservations could be made at Recreation.gov for $2.00.
- Reservations will probably be out there roughly 120 days prematurely, utilizing a block-release system beginning at 8 am Mountain Time on February 1, 2023, for Going-to-the-Sun Road reservations for May 26 by way of June 30, 2023. The subsequent block will probably be launched on March 1, 2023, for reservations for July 1 by way of July 31, 2023. The third block will probably be on April 1, 2023, for reservations from August 1 by way of August 31 and the ultimate block will probably be out there on May 1, 2023, for reservations will probably be out there for all areas for September 1 by way of September 10, 2023. Any remaining automobile reservations will probably be launched on a rolling foundation at 8 am, 24 hours prematurely.
- Reservations are required in case you have a lodging, tenting, or business tour reservation inside the park.
- A park cross is required along with automobile reservations. You should purchase a day by day Glacier Pass on the gate ($35 for automobiles) or purchase an America the Beautiful Annual National Park Pass.
- North Fork automobile reservations, which embody the world within the northwest nook of the park and all factors east of the Polebridge Entrance Station, are required from May 26 by way of September 10, 2023, from 6 am to three pm. These reservations are legitimate for sooner or later.
- Reservations for Many Glacier Valley and Two Medicine Valley are required from July 1 by way of September 10, 2023, from 6 am to three pm, and are legitimate for sooner or later.
If you might be visiting Glacier National Park earlier than September eleventh, be sure to set a reminder to log in to Recreation.gov as quickly as reservations open in your visitation date. There is all the time extra demand than availability, and reservations refill in a matter of minutes.
So whereas it’s tempting to attend till after September tenth, whenever you now not want to fret concerning the problem of getting a automobile reservation, simply needless to say many individuals have the identical thought and the park will probably be fairly busy within the days following the top of required reservations.
2. Utilize alternate transportation
If you might be planning on visiting Glacier National Park in early September and you aren’t capable of safe a automobile reservation, there are nonetheless different methods to benefit from the park. First, you’ll be able to hop on the free park shuttle that makes stops on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Just needless to say the shuttle solely operates on a restricted schedule from Labor Day to mid-September and house is accessible on a first-come, first-served foundation. If you make the most of this feature, you’ll want to get to the park early and plan on packing your endurance as chances are you’ll find yourself ready to search out an out there spot on the shuttle on the varied stops.
Another method to discover the park with out driving your self is to guide an official bus tour. Xanterra operates the well-known Red Bus Tours using classic Thirties purple buses with rolltop convertible tops. These widespread excursions promote out early and every of the 33 buses seats 17 folks, with 4 throughout bench seating.
Sun Tours additionally presents interpretive excursions that spotlight Blackfeet tradition. There are half-day or full-day excursions that function day by day on all sides of the park on air-conditioned 25-passenger window coaches.
3. Visit midweek
While the group ranges actually drop off in September in comparison with mid-summer, Glacier National Park stays one of many busiest parks within the nation. If you wish to keep away from crowds, it’s best to go to throughout the week and check out a few of these issues to do exterior of Glacier National Park, or spend time in close by Whitefish or Kalispell on the weekend.
4. Go early
Like many nationwide parks, the parking tons at widespread trailheads refill very early. If you wish to beat the crowds, you want to be the early chook that will get the worm. Certain locations reminiscent of Logan Pass and Avalanche Creek start filling up earlier than dawn and stay busy for many of the day. In September, you should still be capable to discover parking spots for the Highline Trail or Trail of the Cedars in case you get there earlier than 8 am.
However, you want to be ready to spend time on the lookout for an out there parking spot. Unfortunately, when it is vitally busy, they gained’t even allow you to circle the lot ready for somebody to depart and so they shut the parking zone solely.
Keep in thoughts that among the hottest hikes within the park, reminiscent of Grinnell Glacier, the Highline Trail, and Avalanche Lake, all common lots of of hikers per day. So even in case you can safe a parking spot, some trails would possibly get a little bit congested throughout the busiest hours in noon.
5. Lodges and eating places begin closing down
In September, the park lodges and eating places start shutting down so fewer companies can be found all through the park. By late September to early October, the customer facilities additionally shut, though the bogs on the Apgar Visitor Center keep open year-round.
This means guests should be well-prepared and self-sufficient, bringing their very own meals and requirements. If you go to in mid-September, you’ll probably nonetheless discover meals at Eddie’s Cafe at Apgar and Jammer Joe’s Pizza at Lake McDonald Lodge (however hours could also be restricted.)
When it involves lodging, you should have higher luck staying contained in the park in case you go to within the first half of September. Otherwise, the lodges shut by late September:
- Lake McDonald Lodge closes on September twentieth
- Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins closes on September tenth
- Many Glacier Hotel closes on September twelfth
- Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins closes on September sixth
- The Village Inn closes on September twenty fifth
6. Beware of bears
In September, the wildlife is aware of that winter is coming and so they begin to spend extra time foraging for meals as they put together to enter hibernation. The bears will probably be much more energetic and the elk will probably be in rutting season from mid-September to mid-October.
This signifies that you want to be much more cautious when round wildlife. Do not strategy wildlife or attempt to feed them. It is finest to solely observe wildlife by way of binoculars or a telephoto digital camera lens. You also needs to carry bear spray and hike in teams. When it’s open, you should buy bear spray on the Apgar Visitor Center or lease it on the Apgar Campground (and return it on the finish of the day.)
7. Be ready for altering climate
When I visited Glacier National Park in mid-September, the climate was lovely with sunny days and temperatures reaching 70 at decrease elevations. However, it has been recognized to snow or sleet in September in Glacier National Park too. You should be ready for variable temperatures in numerous sections of the park and climate modifications all through the day. The finest manner to do that is by dressing in layers and packing rain gear.
8. Bring a picnic
Since most of the lodges and eating places shut throughout September in Glacier National Park, it’s best in case you deliver alongside a picnic in your day. There are many locations alongside the Going-to-the-Sun Road and at different sections of the park to cease and revel in a picnic whereas taking within the view. Just bear in mind to look at the ideas of Leave No Trace and produce alongside a trash bag to hold the whole lot out, don’t go away meals the place it may very well be eaten by wild animals, and ensure nothing blows away when you are consuming.
9. Gas up earlier than you go
There aren’t any gasoline stations within Glacier National Park and driving by way of the park might take extra gasoline than you anticipate as you might be climbing mountains and driving at a sluggish velocity with stop-and-go visitors at factors on account of congestion. Make certain you gasoline up earlier than coming into the park on the service stations in West Glacier or St. Marys.
10. Book your automotive and lodging early
Since Glacier National Park is so widespread, and since most of the in-park lodges shut in early September, it’s best to guide your lodging effectively prematurely. I’d suggest capturing for one 12 months prematurely in case you hope to remain within the park, however you’ll be able to all the time preserve checking again to seek for cancellations.
If you might be planning on spending a number of days within the park, you’ll most likely wish to break up your keep into two places to make it simpler to get out for these early morning hikes. Try to spend 1-2 days in Apgar or Lake McDonald and 1-2 days in Many Glacier.
Lodging within the areas straight exterior of the park additionally might guide up a couple of months prematurely, even in September. If you might be having hassle discovering lodging, there are numerous giant chain inns in Kalispell.
I’d additionally suggest reserving your rental automotive early. While automotive rental shortages are easing, there may be nonetheless a restricted stock and also you don’t wish to be left brief.
11. Pick up a park map
When visiting a National Park, I all the time suggest choosing up a park map on the gate and stopping on the Visitor Center to speak to the Park Rangers who could make suggestions on easy methods to spend your day. The Park Rangers can warn you to bear exercise and the very best hikes and viewpoints in your desired exercise stage.
It can also be useful to have a map to trace your progress alongside the Going-to-the-Sun Road and just remember to don’t miss the highlights.
12. Be ready for little to no cell service
Once you enter the park, you should have very restricted cell service. The good a part of that’s that you simply gained’t have something to distract you from the attractive environment. The draw back is that you simply gained’t be capable to get in contact with anybody in case of an emergency. If you might be mountain climbing or heading to among the lesser-visited areas, such because the lonely, bumpy gravel highway into Two Medicine, chances are you’ll wish to think about bringing a transportable GPS locator such because the Garmin InAttain gadget.
13. See the autumn colours
The timber in Glacier National Park begin to change by mid to late September. The lovely Western Larch timber, which flip a stupendous yellow earlier than the needles drop, are the final to show by mid-October. A great place to see the larch timber is alongside Highway 2, which runs alongside the southern border of the park.
14. What to put on in Glacier National Park
As I discussed beforehand, it is very important gown in layers when you’re visiting Glacier National Park in September. I’d suggest:
- Waterproof mountain climbing boots (I really like my La Sportivas)
- Wool mountain climbing socks (I all the time use Darn Tough Socks)
- Quick-drying mountain climbing pants
- A sweat-wicking t-shirt
- Long-sleeve button-up mountain climbing shirt
- Thin fleece
- Waterproof shell or mild puffer coat
- Sun hat or baseball cap
15. What to pack in your day pack
Make certain you’re ready in your days in Glacier National Park by packing the next, particularly in case you plan on doing any hikes:
- Bear spray
- Water
- Snacks
- Emergency package
- Raingear
- Warm hat
- Thin gloves
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Tissues
- Sanitizer
- Trekking poles (I really like my Black Diamond trekking poles)
- GPS tracker
- Compass
- Battery backup
- Headlamp
- Camera or telephone
16. How to get to Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is in Northwestern Montana, abutting the border with Canada and bridging the Continental Divide. The closest airport to Glacier National Park is Glacier Park Airport (FCA) close to Kalispell, which is 40 minutes south of the park. However, it could be simpler to search out extra inexpensive flight choices to Missoula Montana Airport (MSO), which is about 2.75 hours to the south.
You will wish to lease a automotive when visiting Glacier National Park. Even in case you can’t get automobile reservations inside the park, you’ll want to have a automotive to get to eating places and different points of interest.
17. Where to remain close to Glacier National Park
If you’ll be able to’t get a room or campsite in Glacier National Park, you’ll most likely wish to focus your search on the world round West Glacier. If you might be keen to drive a littler additional, I had a great keep on the Homewood Suites in Kalispell.
You at the moment are all set to have a superb go to to Glacier National Park in September. If you might be driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road and making a spherical journey from both West Glacier or St. Marys, make sure to go away your self time to make the return journey. If you wish to keep away from the congestion on Going-to-the-Sun Road, you’ll be able to loop again across the park. While this will take you simply as lengthy, you gained’t have any visitors to take care of. I hope you may have a unbelievable journey to Glacier National Park!
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