Hi – We are planning our first trip to Glacier National Park (from North Carolina) and I’ve been reading about the high winds on the eastern side of the park. I was wondering if we need to consider this in our planning.
Do the winds make it difficult to hike on that side of the park? Is it hard to keep your car on the road during high winds?
We are thinking about the 3rd week of July for our visit.
Is that late enough that the trails will all be open and we won’t need poles?
Thanks for your advice.
Answer
Hi Anonymous from North Carolina,
While yes, the winds are higher on the east side of Glacier National Park, they are certainly not unbearable.
It really depends where you are.
With Glacier National Park weather, you have to be prepared for the worst at all times.
That means always having the right hiking gear to meet your needs and any massive change in the weather.
I’ve never seen winds so bad that it’s difficult to keep your car on the road, so I wouldn’t worry about that.
Regarding trails–99% of trails should be open by then, but really, it’s impossible to predict as late snow and high snowfall during the winter can change anything.
That said, I still strongly recommend hiking poles. Even without snowpack, hiking poles make your life so much easier and save your knees from a beating–meaning you can hike more and expend less energy.
Please remember, I do offer customized and non-customized itineraries for anyone visiting Glacier National Park. It’s the best way to ensure you see the most that Glacier has to offer!
Have a great day!
~ Perry
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Glacier National Park Weather in August For Backpacking
Alyssa
I really enjoy your site and have gotten a lot of good info here.
I am going to the back country sites for a week in mid August and wondering if you have any ideas on the weather that time of year.
We’ll be at POI, MAN, and CRA sites.
Do you think it will be more hot or cold while hiking? More tank tops or fleece? 🙂
Thanks for your advice!!!
Answer
Hi Alyssa,
Thanks for the kind words about my site.
If there’s one certainty about Glacier National Park weather, it’s that it’s unpredictable.
In August, you could hike one day without a cloud in the sky and the other get stuck in a flash snowstorm/hailstorm.
When backpacking in Glacier National Park, you need to be prepared for anything. Be sure to pack appropriate hiking clothes.
This means you gotta take both tank tops and a fleece (and a rain jacket!).
I’m personally a huge fan of convertible hiking shorts. They are essentially pants that have a zipper you unzip to turn into shorts. Brilliant!
On a final note: standard hiking fleeces are heavy!
Your planned backpacking trip is one of my favorite in Glacier–but it definitely is a workout! You want to try and minimize the weight your carrying at every turn.
The best hiking fleece/jacket I’ve ever seen is the Patagonia Nano Puff.
I bought one last winter and have been backpacking in it left and right this summer.
Let me tell you: this thing rules! It weights 10 ounces and will keep you warm and toasty during those chilly Glacier National Park mornings and evenings.
If you have the funds, definitely splurge on the Patagonia Nano Puff jacket before your trip. You won’t regret it, Alyssa!
Have a great time in Glacier and be sure to come back and let me (and our readers) know how your trip went!
~ Perry
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Weather & Lodging in August | Glacier National Park Question
PJ Darling
Hello,
We would like to visit the first two weeks in August. What will the weather be like during this time of the year and what hotels and/or lodges do you recommend?
Thank you,
PJ
Answer
Hi PJ,
The first two weeks of August is great weather! Probably my favorite time of year to visit Glacier National Park.
For more details, check out this page on Glacier National Park Weather.
Regarding lodging, you have many options. Since you mention hotels and lodges, I assume you’re not interested in any of Glacier National Park’s campgrounds, right? 🙂
For the west end of Glacier, here are the top 3 places I’d recommend staying:
2. Apgar Village Inn
3. A cabin in Polebridge
On the east end of Glacier, I’d recommend one of these 3 locations:
2. Swiftcurrent Lodge
3. Rising Sun Motor Inn
For additional reviews of hotels and lodges in Glacier National Park, I highly recommend spending some time reading the hotel reviews our visitors have written (you need to scroll below the submission form).
Almost all the hotels in Glacier are owned by Glacier Park Inc. Here’s their official site.
Good luck and be sure to let us know where you book!
Have a great trip!
~ Perry
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