May in Glacier National Park is a month of transition – and that’s exactly what makes it tricky (and intriguing).
Winter hasn’t fully released its grip.
Summer access hasn’t fully arrived.
But the park is slowly waking up.
If you’re considering Glacier National Park in May, you’re probably trying to figure out what that actually means for your trip.
Will roads be open? Can you hike? Is it worth going before Going-to-the-Sun Road opens? These are smart questions – and the answers aren’t always obvious.
May is all about expectations. Some of the park’s most famous experiences are still off-limits. Others – especially at lower elevations – are surprisingly rewarding. I’ll share what I love about visiting in May, what requires flexibility, and what I’d save for a summer trip.
This guide is best for travelers who are flexible, curious, and more interested in quieter landscapes than checking off every highlight. If you’re hoping for solitude, dramatic spring scenery, and fewer crowds, May can be a great fit as long as you plan with intention.
May is not the best month for full park access, but it is one of the best months for peaceful exploration and wildlife spotting at lower elevations.
Below, I’ll walk through what’s typically open, what conditions are really like, and how to decide whether Glacier in May matches your travel style.
Let’s take a closer look at what a May visit to Glacier National Park is really like.
‼️ If you just want a quick snapshot about my thoughts on the best time to visit Glacier National Park, check out my Best Time to Go to Glacier National Park guide.
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Table of Contents
Visiting Glacier National Park in May
Weather in Glacier National Park in May
In May, the average temperature in West Glacier rises just enough that there are generally no below-freezing nights. Of course, Glacier National Park in late May is warmer than earlier in the month.
Average May temperatures are between around 38°F and 65°F in West Glacier, and it’s generally 10 to 15 ºF cooler at higher elevations, such as at Logan Pass. These are just averages – overnight lows can drop to freezing throughout the park – it can snow – at any time of the year.
The park straddles the Continental Divide so the weather on each side of the park can be very different, with the western side generally rainier and the east side sunnier, windier and colder.
Openings/ Closings in Glacier National Park in May
Hiking trails at lower elevations and around the edges of the park can be free from snow. However, at higher elevations, 100% snow cover can still be expected on the trails. So this is not the best time for Glacier National Park when you want to explore it all.
Local facilities might re-open in late May, but some won’t operate until June. The entire Going-to-the-Sun road isn’t due to open until late June either – you can check the current status with NPS here.
Campgrounds in Glacier in May
There are 13 front country campgrounds inside Glacier National Park. Primitive camping is available year-round at Apgar and St. Mary Campgrounds.
7 of Glacier National Park’s 13 campgrounds are available by reservation only.
⛺ Apgar Campground operates on a full summer schedule in May
⛺ Avalanche Campground is closed in May.
⛺ Fish Creek Campground is usually open from mid-May to early September.
⛺ Many Glacier Campground is closed in May.
⛺ St. Mary Campground is fully operational and reservations are required from late May to mid-September. All sites in St. Mary Campground will be closed to camping from January 1, 2027–June 30, 2027 due to construction.
⛺ Sprague Creek Campground is open from mid-May to very early October.
⛺ Two Medicine Campground is fully open from late May to mid-September. In 2026, the Two Medicine Campground will be closed due to construction.
There are also 6 first-come, first-served campgrounds. Most first-come, first-served campgrounds fill early during the busy summer months.
⛺ Bowman Lake Campground is typically open from mid-May to early September.
⛺ Cut Bank Campground is usually open late May to late September.
⛺ Kintla Lake Campground is typically open from late May to early September.
⛺ Logging Creek Campground is closed in May.
⛺ Quartz Creek Campground is closed in May.
⛺ Rising Sun Campground is typically open late May or early June to early September.
Accommodations in May
Accommodations also open on a staggered schedule.
Most lodges inside the park are operated by Glacier National Park Lodges/Xanterra Parks & Resorts. These include:
Village Inn Motel in Apgar (open late May to very early October)
Lake McDonald Lodge (open mid-May to late September)
Rising Sun Motor Inn (closed in May)
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn (closed in May)
Many Glacier Hotel (closed in May)
The Apgar Village Lodge (cabins open early May to late September and motel opens early May to early October) and Motel Lake McDonald (open late May to late September) are operated by Glacier Park Collection (by Pursuit).
Glacier has two backcountry chalets to which visitors can hike for overnight accommodations – Sperry Chalet and Granite Park Chalet but both are still closed in May.
There are plenty of accommodation options nearby. The main gateway towns are West Glacier, Apgar, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls.
➡️ Read my guide to the BEST PLACES TO STAY NEAR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
➡️ Find a hotel near Glacier National Park on Expedia.
➡️ Find a vacation rental near Glacier National Park on VRBO.
Is May a good time to Visit Glacier National Park?
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:
Pros
- The park remains peaceful in May
- Sub-zero temperatures are less likely
- Trails and roads at lower elevations should now be clearing
Cons
- The Going-to-the-Sun road is still closed
- Higher elevations will be covered in snow
- Local facilities won’t open until at least the end of the month
Deciding when to go to Glacier National Park for is a very important step in planning your trip, and I hope this guide is helping.
However, as I’m sure you’re very aware, this is just one thing of many to decide. Once you’ve decided the timing of your trip, you still need to make an actual plan.
In fact, the thing that most people ask me about is how to put it all together into an itinerary that makes sense. They decide when they’ll go and maybe even book their flights, but still worry about how to minimize the crowds, what to do – and when – and how to coordinate it all.
To help take away the overwhelm of planning a trip to Glacier National Park, I’ve created several super detailed itineraries.
Without them, people often feel stressed about planning their trip. With them, they have the confidence of getting all the info they need in one spot. Plus, there’s flexibility built in, so they can easily adapt them to their own interests and activity levels.
There are 1, 2, 3, and 4-5 – day options: all with detailed hour-by-hour schedules, including alternatives for different activity and fitness levels, plus trail maps and descriptions, driving instructions, important information, essential tips, and everything else you need to make the most of your time in Glacier National Park.
Travel Insurance for Glacier National Park
No matter when you go to Glacier National Park, you should definitely get travel insurance. This can protect you not only against medical and emergency repatriation, but can also cover things like trip cancellation, loss and/ or theft of property, etc.
➡️ A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
Enjoy Glacier National Park!
Additional Planning Resources for Glacier National Park
⭐ Planning A Trip to Glacier National Park: 7 Mistakes to Avoid
⭐ Guide to Glacier National Park Ticketed Entry
⭐ The Best Hikes in Glacier National Park
⭐ How to Get to Glacier National Park
⭐ When is The Best Time To Visit Glacier National Park?
⭐ 15 Tips For Visiting Glacier National Park
⭐ The Airports Near Glacier National Park
⭐ The Closest Airport To Glacier National Park
⭐ 10 Fun Facts About Glacier National Park
What do you think is the best month to visit Glacier National Park? Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
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‼️ Are you looking for helpful tips for visiting US national parks? Read articles that share useful tips on a range of national-park related issues
💻 Are you starting to plan a trip to Glacier National Park? Read my Glacier National Park Guide
📋 Do you want a ready-made super detailed plan for your trip to Glacier? Get a detailed 1 – 5-day Glacier National Park Itinerary
💲 Are you ready to book your trip? Use these Planning and Booking Resources
📖 Do you want to read a book about US national parks? Check out my Recommended Reading Lists
About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.