Imagine biking up into the Montana mountains with majestic scenery all around. Visiting Glacier National Park in May is one of the most incredible experiences. The snow is melting, wildlife is coming alive, and waterfalls are gushing. It’s a magical time to see this wonderful destination!
I have been to Glacier National Park five times now and each time I fall more in love with it. 💕 When we visited in May, I thought there would be little to do, but it ended up being one of my favorite trips! We spent the weekend camping under the stars, looking for wildlife, and enjoying many of Glacier’s best sights.
Now, I’ve created a guide for you to visit this wonderful park in the spring. 🌺 It includes everything you need to know including the best things to do, tips for your visit, and information on where to stay. I hope you have an amazing trip!
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Table of Contents
All About Glacier National Park in May
Quick Park Facts
💵 Glacier National Park costs $35 for a private vehicle which lasts 7 days. You can also use annual passes like America the Beautiful Pass for entry.
☀️ Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Make sure that you stay updated and that you take the proper precautions. If there are signs up bad weather, then stay off the trails and remain at the lower elevations.
⛺️ There are two campgrounds that are open in May: Agpar and St Marys. These two are first-come, first-served for most of May, but usually begin accepting reservations on Memorial Day weekend.
🐻 Glacier is bear country, so make sure to stay bear aware and bring bear spray to hike on trails. Use the rule of thumb when viewing wildlife, so that you stay the correct distance away.
🦮 Pets are not allowed in the park and they must stay leashed in parking lots as well.
⚠️ Going to the Sun Road is usually still getting plowed in May, which means a lot of it may be closed. You can text 333111 for updates on the Going to the Run closures and openings.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Is May a Good Time to Visit?
May is a fantastic time to visit Glacier! Late spring is known as shoulder season, which means you’ll see far fewer people and experience the real beauty of nature 🏔. Days are long with the sun setting after 9 pm and rising before 6 am, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore!
Travel to Glacier in May and you can bike through the gorgeous roads, see tons of wildlife, and experience many of the most beautiful places in the park! There’s nothing like visiting in the spring and seeing the park come to life right before your eyes. 🤩
However, hiking is limited during this time of year. Because the snow ⛄️ is melting, there is often mud or snow on the trails. You’ll have to stick to hikes at the lower elevation, but they are still gorgeous. You’ll have a fantastic visit in May!
Things to Know About Visiting in May
Spring arrives late in the mountains, so if you plan on visiting Glacier National Park in May, you can expect the park to be thawing out. Much of the park is slowly opening up in May, so you may find a lot more closures and snow than you were expecting. ❄️ But, you’ll also find more wildlife peeking out!
The Glacier rangers are working on plowing the Going to the Sun Road in May. Which means that much of it may still be closed. You can get updates on all the road closures by texting 333111.
Starting in late May around Memorial Day weekend you will begin to need timed entry permits to enter the Going to the Sun Road on the West Side. You can learn all about applying for those permits below!
Going to the Sun Road Timed Entry Permits
Starting on May 24th, you will need timed entry permits to access the West Side of Going to the Sun Road during the hours of 6 am to 3 pm. So, if you do not get a permit you can still go before or after or enter from the East side!
Make sure to look into getting timed entry permits before you go!
However, if you want to get a permit, then you can either get one in the advanced lottery, which opens 120 days before at 8 am MST. OR you can apply for them the day before starting at 7 pm MDT.
Where to Stay
Luckily, Glacier has a plethora of places to stay. There are great campgrounds within the park’s bounds, as well as a number of small towns to stay in. 🙌🏻 No matter what type of lodging you want whether that’s a nice hotel, a cute Airbnb, or a beautiful campsite, you will be set!
Hotels & Lodging
Glacier is surrounded by a few towns- Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls. Each of these towns have a number of great airbnbs, hotels, and other lodging that you can stay in. Unfortunately, most of the good lodging is closer to the West side of the park, so you may have to drive a bit to get to the East!
Best Hotels Near Glacier:
- Many Glacier Hotel
- North Forty Resort
- Glacier Area Guest Ranch
- Lodge at Whitefish Lake
- The Pine Lodge on Whitefish River
Campgrounds
There are two campgrounds ⛺️ that you can stay at in the park as well as a plethora of free and paid ones nearby! Agpar and St Marys Campground are open in May and are first-come, first-served until Memorial Day weekend, when you need reservations. If you want to try something different you can stay at Under Canvas Glacier for glamping!
What is the Weather Like?
Weather can be all over the place in May, so it’s definitely best to check before your trip. 🌡 Highs can range anywhere from the 50s-70s and lows can dip down into the 30s. There are usually plenty of days of sun as well as rainy days.
The weather in Glacier in May is highly unpredictable! 🤷♀️
On our visit to Glacier, we got extremely lucky with a couple of very sunny and hot days. Highs were in the 80s and we even went swimming in Lake McDonald, which I did not expect when planning our adventures there!
Packing List for Glacier
Because the weather is so variable, you may have to pack for a plethora of seasons. The best way to pack for Glacier is to bring plenty of layers, good hiking boots, and waterproof outerwear in case of rain. 🌧
Don’t forget to bring bear spray if you plan on going on any hikes. Plus, you should know how to use it before you hit the trails!
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Small Pack
- First Aid Kit
- Layers including rain jacket and winter jacket
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat to block sun
- Bear spray
- Microspikes or snowshoes
- Hiking Poles
- Satellite Phone
- Parks Pass
Things to Do in Glacier National Park in May
When we went for a spring visit to Glacier, I was worried that there would be nothing to do. I expected there to be snow everywhere, but I ended up having the most incredible weekend. ✨ There are so many great things that you can do in Glacier in May, so read further for all the details.
Bike the Going to the Sun Road
I’m not going to lie, biking the Going to the Sun Road was possibly my favorite thing I have ever done in a national park! You just feel on top of the world as you climb up the road with crazy views of the mountains all around. 😮
Going to the Sun Road is the iconic drive in Glacier National Park that connects the West to East side. In the spring, they are still plowing this road, which means that cars are not allowed. So, bikes have the entire road to themselves!
You will need reservations for the West Side of Going to the Sun Road starting on May 24th. If you have a bike rental at Glacier Outfitters, you do not need an additional permit.
The road continues to open up more as the season progresses until it reaches the peak at Logan Pass. So, you can get text updates on how long the road is open for. We were able to bike 22 miles round trip in mid-May.
We chose to rent electric bikes 🚲 to help aid our climb up the tall mountains and it was a blast! But visitors are also welcome to bring their own bikes on the road. If there’s one thing you need to do on your spring Glacier visit, it’s this!
Bike Rentals in Glacier:
Hike the Trails
Technically, May is still mud season in Glacier. Meaning, there may be slush and mud on many of the trails while others are still covered in snow. That being said, there are some great shorter hikes at lower elevations that are perfect for your spring trip! 🌸
Avalanche Lake
Avalanche Lake is such a beautiful trail in Glacier. This trail travels through a forest of cedars until you get to a stunning lake with the backdrop of a lush mountain. You may still find the trail a little muddy, but overall it’s a great one to do in the late spring!
Quick Hike Info
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation: 750 Feet
Type: Out and Back
Length: 2-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
St Mary & Virginia Falls
If you love waterfalls, then this is the perfect hike for you. Snow melt from the winter means these two waterfalls will be gushing with water in the late spring! 💦 This trail descends from the Going to the Sun Road on the Eastern side. From there, you’ll travel along St Mary Lake until you get to St Mary Falls. Continue just a bit further to access the roaring Virginia Falls.
Quick Hike Info
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation: 450 Feet
Type: Out and Back
Length: 1.5-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Grinnell Lake
You’ll have to check on the status of this hike before you hit the trails. 🥾 We were able to do this wonderful hike in mid-May. But, the trail definitely got snowy towards the end, so you may need to bring microspikes, download the maps, or be willing to turn around. If you do make it to the end, you’ll be rewarded with a bright blue lake, which is one of the best in Glacier!
Quick Hike Info
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 465 Feet
Type: Out and Back
Length: 2.5-4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Paddle on Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald is the biggest lake in Glacier, with colorful rocks along the shores, and spanning 10 miles long. It’s one of the those places that people just fall in love with as soon as they see it.
In May, the lake is starting to open up for the warmer months, which means it’s a great time to paddle! You can bring your own paddleboard and get it inspected in the park or rent a kayak at Glacier Outfitters.
If you’re lucky, it may even be hot enough to go for a swim!
See Wildlife
Spring is a fantastic time for wildlife viewing in Glacier! 🦌 Tons of animals begin to emerge from the cold of winter and can be seen as you drive throughout the park. You have the opportunity to see plentiful bird life, deer, and even bears. We actually almost hit a bear with our car in May, so be careful!
Spend Time in Polebridge
Polebridge is located on the Northwestern side of the park. This small community has one main road that leads North from the park. There are gorgeous camping spots up by the river and it’s a quiet place to spend a night.
One place that you can’t miss is the Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery. They have delicious baked goods and breakfast. You must get the Bearclaws, they’re incredible!
Drive the Scenic Roads
Although not all of Going to the Sun Road is accessible in the spring, you should still be able to access a lot of great lookouts and lakes by driving.
Beginning on May 24th you will need a timed entry permit for Going to the Sun Road on the West side!
You can drive to Lake McDonald on the West Side, explore areas of Many Glacier and get to Swiftcurrent Lake, and stop by St Mary Lake on the East side! There’s so many beautiful views from the road! 👀
Final Tips for Visiting Glacier National Park in May
Visiting Glacier National Park in May is a wonderful way to see the remarkable scenery while avoiding the crowds. Because of the changing seasons, it’s best to go into your trip with an open mind and itinerary. Once you get there, you can make a game plan on what to do and see. But, you’ll definitely have a great trip!
Let me know if you enjoyed this guide in the comments.
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This was so helpful! Biking Going to the Sun Road is definitely on my list!!
It’s one of those things that I recommend to everyone!