Glacier Nationwide Park in September is fabulous. The air is crisp, fall colours are beginning to pop, and most significantly, the crowds are starting to skinny. However in case you are pondering of visiting Glacier Nationwide Park this fall, there are additionally many belongings you want to bear in mind to correctly put together to your journey.
Earlier than you e-book your journey to Glacier Nationwide Park in September, ensure you learn the following tips! And, don’t simply go to the park, you’ll want to attempt a number of of those adventurous issues to do close to Glacier Nationwide Park too, or plan one in every of these Montana weekend getaways.
Visiting Glacier Nationwide Park in September
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Mid-September is a perfect time to go to Glacier Nationwide Park in case you are seeking to get pleasure from most areas of the park with out giant crowds. Needless to say many components of Glacier Nationwide Park are closed from fall by late spring, because the Going-to-the-Solar Street typically doesn’t absolutely open till late June.
Most of the lodges and providers start to close down by mid- to late-September, and Going-to-the-Solar Street closes by mid- to late-October, relying on the climate. This makes September a real candy spot for visiting Glacier Nationwide Park, particularly when the Aspen and Larch timber begin to present their lovely golden hues. However you continue to have to be ready!
In the event you need assistance planning a visit to Glacier Nationwide Park, my buddy Bryanna has put collectively a terrific Glacier Nationwide Park Information with 39 pages of stop-by-stop directions, mountaineering choices by problem degree, eating suggestions, and insider ideas. It even contains an alternate RV itinerary for RVers!
1. Know when you want car reservations
You will have in all probability heard that you simply want car reservations to go to many components of Glacier Nationwide Park through the summer time. In 2023, a car reservation is required for the next areas of the park: Going-to-the-Solar Street, the North Fork, Two Drugs, and Many Glacier. Nevertheless, every location has totally different necessities and requires a separate reservation.
The excellent news is that reservations will not be required after September 10, 2023! However in case you are visiting in early September, maintain the next in thoughts:
- A Going-to-the-Solar Street reservation is required for automobiles getting into by the West entrance from Might 26 by September 10, 2023, from 6 am to three pm and people getting into by the St. Mary entrance from July 1 by 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 Solar checkpoint situated 6 miles west of the St. Mary Entrance. Reservations are good for 3 consecutive days.
- Automobile reservations may be made at Recreation.gov for $2.00.
- Reservations will likely be accessible roughly 120 days upfront, utilizing a block-release system beginning at 8 am Mountain Time on February 1, 2023, for Going-to-the-Solar Street reservations for Might 26 by June 30, 2023. The subsequent block will likely be launched on March 1, 2023, for reservations for July 1 by July 31, 2023. The third block will likely be on April 1, 2023, for reservations from August 1 by August 31 and the ultimate block will likely be accessible on Might 1, 2023, for reservations will likely be accessible for all areas for September 1 by September 10, 2023. Any remaining car reservations will likely be launched on a rolling foundation at 8 am, 24 hours upfront.
- Reservations are required in case you have a lodging, tenting, or business tour reservation inside the park.
- A park go is required along with car reservations. You should purchase a each day Glacier Cross on the gate ($35 for automobiles) or purchase an America the Lovely Annual Nationwide Park Cross.
- North Fork car reservations, which embody the world within the northwest nook of the park and all factors east of the Polebridge Entrance Station, are required from Might 26 by September 10, 2023, from 6 am to three pm. These reservations are legitimate for in the future.
- Reservations for Many Glacier Valley and Two Drugs Valley are required from July 1 by September 10, 2023, from 6 am to three pm, and are legitimate for in the future.
In case you are visiting Glacier Nationwide Park earlier than September eleventh, ensure you set a reminder to log in to Recreation.gov as quickly as reservations open to your visitation date. There’s at all times extra demand than availability, and reservations refill in a matter of minutes.
So whereas it’s tempting to attend till after September tenth, once you not want to fret in regards to the problem of getting a car reservation, simply understand that many individuals have the identical thought and the park will likely be fairly busy within the days following the tip of required reservations.
2. Make the most of alternate transportation
In case you are planning on visiting Glacier Nationwide Park in early September and you aren’t capable of safe a car reservation, there are nonetheless different methods to benefit from the park. First, you may hop on the free park shuttle that makes stops on Going-to-the-Solar Street.
Simply understand that the shuttle solely operates on a restricted schedule from Labor Day to mid-September and area is offered on a first-come, first-served foundation. In the event you make the most of this feature, you’ll want to get to the park early and plan on packing your endurance as you could find yourself ready to search out an accessible spot on the shuttle on the varied stops.
One other method to discover the park with out driving your self is to e-book an official bus tour. Xanterra operates the well-known Pink Bus Excursions using classic Thirties pink buses with rolltop convertible tops. These well-liked excursions promote out early and every of the 33 buses seats 17 folks, with 4 throughout bench seating.
Solar Excursions additionally gives interpretive excursions that spotlight Blackfeet tradition. There are half-day or full-day excursions that function each day on both sides of the park on air-conditioned 25-passenger window coaches.
3. Go to midweek
Whereas the group ranges actually drop off in September in comparison with mid-summer, Glacier Nationwide Park stays one of many busiest parks within the nation. If you wish to keep away from crowds, it’s best to go to through the week and take a look at a few of these issues to do outdoors of Glacier Nationwide Park, or spend time in close by Whitefish or Kalispell on the weekend.
4. Go early
Like many nationwide parks, the parking tons at well-liked trailheads refill very early. If you wish to beat the crowds, you must be the early fowl that will get the worm. Sure locations akin to Logan Cross and Avalanche Creek start filling up earlier than dawn and stay busy for many of the day. In September, you should still have the ability to discover parking spots for the Highline Path or Path of the Cedars when you get there earlier than 8 am.
Nevertheless, you must be ready to spend time on the lookout for an accessible parking spot. Sadly, when it is vitally busy, they received’t even allow you to circle the lot ready for somebody to go away and so they shut the parking zone fully.
Needless to say a number of the hottest hikes within the park, akin to Grinnell Glacier, the Highline Path, and Avalanche Lake, all common a whole bunch of hikers per day. So even when you can safe a parking spot, some trails would possibly get a bit congested through 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 providers can be found all through the park. By late September to early October, the customer facilities additionally shut, though the loos on the Apgar Customer Heart keep open year-round.
This implies guests have to be well-prepared and self-sufficient, bringing their very own meals and requirements. In the event you go to in mid-September, you’ll doubtless nonetheless discover meals at Eddie’s Cafe at Apgar and Jammer Joe’s Pizza at Lake McDonald Lodge (however hours could also be restricted.)
On the subject of lodging, you’ll have higher luck staying contained in the park when you go to within the first half of September. In any other case, the lodges shut by late September:
- Lake McDonald Lodge closes on September twentieth
- Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins closes on September tenth
- Many Glacier Lodge closes on September twelfth
- Rising Solar Motor Inn and Cabins closes on September sixth
- The Village Inn closes on September twenty fifth
6. Watch out for 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 likely be much more lively and the elk will likely be in rutting season from mid-September to mid-October.
Which means that you must be much more cautious when round wildlife. Don’t strategy wildlife or attempt to feed them. It’s best to solely observe wildlife by binoculars or a telephoto digital camera lens. You must also carry bear spray and hike in teams. When it’s open, you should purchase bear spray on the Apgar Customer Heart or hire it on the Apgar Campground (and return it on the finish of the day.)
7. Be ready for altering climate
Once I visited Glacier Nationwide Park in mid-September, the climate was lovely with sunny days and temperatures reaching 70 at decrease elevations. Nevertheless, it has been recognized to snow or sleet in September in Glacier Nationwide Park too. You want to be ready for variable temperatures in numerous sections of the park and climate adjustments all through the day. One of the simplest ways to do that is by dressing in layers and packing rain gear.
8. Convey a picnic
Since lots of the lodges and eating places shut throughout September in Glacier Nationwide Park, it’s best when you convey alongside a picnic to your day. There are numerous locations alongside the Going-to-the-Solar Street and at different sections of the park to cease and revel in a picnic whereas taking within the view. Simply bear in mind to watch the ideas of Depart No Hint and produce alongside a trash bag to hold every thing out, don’t go away meals the place it may very well be eaten by wild animals, and ensure nothing blows away if you are consuming.
9. Fuel up earlier than you go
There will not be any fuel stations within Glacier Nationwide Park and driving by the park could take extra fuel than you anticipate as you’re climbing mountains and driving at a gradual velocity with stop-and-go visitors at factors because of congestion. Be sure to fuel up earlier than getting into the park on the service stations in West Glacier or St. Marys.
10. E book your automotive and lodging early
Since Glacier Nationwide Park is so well-liked, and since lots of the in-park lodges shut in early September, it’s best to e-book your lodging nicely upfront. I might suggest taking pictures for one yr upfront when you hope to remain within the park, however you may at all times maintain checking again to seek for cancellations.
In case you are planning on spending a number of days within the park, you’ll in all probability wish to break up your keep into two areas to make it simpler to get out for these early morning hikes. Attempt to spend 1-2 days in Apgar or Lake McDonald and 1-2 days in Many Glacier.
Lodging within the areas instantly outdoors of the park additionally could e-book up a number of months upfront, even in September. In case you are having hassle discovering lodging, there are lots of giant chain accommodations in Kalispell.
I might additionally suggest reserving your rental automotive early. Whereas automotive rental shortages are easing, there may be nonetheless a restricted stock and also you don’t wish to be left brief.
11. Choose up a park map
When visiting a Nationwide Park, I at all times suggest selecting up a park map on the gate and stopping on the Customer Heart to speak to the Park Rangers who could make suggestions on the way to spend your day. The Park Rangers can provide you with a warning to bear exercise and the most effective hikes and viewpoints to your desired exercise degree.
It’s also useful to have a map to trace your progress alongside the Going-to-the-Solar Street and just be sure you don’t miss the highlights.
12. Be ready for little to no cell service
When you enter the park, you’ll have very restricted cell service. The good a part of that’s that you simply received’t have something to distract you from the gorgeous environment. The draw back is that you simply received’t have the ability to get in contact with anybody in case of an emergency. In case you are mountaineering or heading to a number of the lesser-visited areas, such because the lonely, bumpy gravel highway into Two Drugs, you could wish to take into account bringing a conveyable GPS locator such because the Garmin InReach machine.
13. See the autumn colours
The timber in Glacier Nationwide Park begin to change by mid to late September. The gorgeous Western Larch timber, which flip a wonderful yellow earlier than the needles drop, are the final to show by mid-October. A great place to see the larch timber is alongside Freeway 2, which runs alongside the southern border of the park.
14. What to put on in Glacier Nationwide Park
As I discussed beforehand, you will need to gown in layers if you find yourself visiting Glacier Nationwide Park in September. I might suggest:
- Waterproof mountaineering boots (I really like my La Sportivas)
- Wool mountaineering socks (I at all times use Darn Powerful Socks)
- Fast-drying mountaineering pants
- A sweat-wicking t-shirt
- Lengthy-sleeve button-up mountaineering shirt
- Skinny fleece
- Waterproof shell or mild puffer coat
- Solar hat or baseball cap
15. What to pack in your day pack
Be sure to are ready to your days in Glacier Nationwide Park by packing the next, particularly when you plan on doing any hikes:
- Bear spray
- Water
- Snacks
- Emergency equipment
- Raingear
- Heat hat
- Skinny gloves
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Tissues
- Sanitizer
- Trekking poles (I really like my Black Diamond trekking poles)
- GPS tracker
- Compass
- Battery backup
- Headlamp
- Digicam or telephone
16. Learn how to get to Glacier Nationwide Park
Glacier Nationwide Park is in Northwestern Montana, abutting the border with Canada and bridging the Continental Divide. The closest airport to Glacier Nationwide Park is Glacier Park Airport (FCA) close to Kalispell, which is 40 minutes south of the park. Nevertheless, 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’ll want to hire a automotive when visiting Glacier Nationwide Park. Even when you can’t get car reservations inside the park, you’ll want to have a automotive to get to eating places and different points of interest.
17. The place to remain close to Glacier Nationwide Park
In the event you can’t get a room or campsite in Glacier Nationwide Park, you’ll in all probability wish to focus your search on the world round West Glacier. In case you are prepared to drive a littler additional, I had an excellent keep on the Homewood Suites in Kalispell.
You at the moment are all set to have a superb go to to Glacier Nationwide Park in September. In case you are driving the Going-to-the-Solar Street and making a spherical journey from both West Glacier or St. Marys, you’ll want to go away your self time to make the return journey. If you wish to keep away from the congestion on Going-to-the-Solar Street, you may loop again across the park. Whereas this may occasionally take you simply as lengthy, you received’t have any visitors to take care of. I hope you’ve a unbelievable journey to Glacier Nationwide Park!
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