Things to do in Glacier National Park in October

When is your trip?

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Looking for a different month?

Overview

October is a good time to visit Glacier National Park. The weather is usually cold with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 29—47°F (-1—8°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Glacier National Park during this time. Some of our top recommendations: go fly fishing in the park's rivers and streams, take a photography workshop in the park, go stargazing in the park's dark sky areas, and more!

Glacier National Park has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your October trip to Glacier National Park. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to October. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Glacier National Park in October. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout October, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

Visiting Glacier National Park? See our Glacier National Park Trip Planner.
I'll never travel to Glacier National Park without this trip planner again
Learn more
Don't take our word for it
Slide 1 of 6

Best events and things to do in Glacier National Park in October

Top experiences in October
Go fly fishing in the park's rivers and streams
October is a great time for fly fishing in Glacier National Park as the cooler temperatures bring out the fish and the fall colors create a picturesque backdrop. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, the park's rivers and streams offer a unique and rewarding fishing experience.
Take a photography workshop in the park
October is a great time to take a photography workshop in Glacier National Park as the fall colors and changing landscapes provide endless opportunities for stunning photographs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, the park's beauty is sure to inspire and captivate.
Go stargazing in the park's dark sky areas
In October, Glacier National Park offers some of the best stargazing opportunities as the nights are clear and the park's dark sky areas provide unobstructed views of the stars and constellations. Bring a telescope or simply lay back and enjoy the natural beauty of the night sky.
Take a boat tour on Lake McDonald
In October, the fall colors reflect off the crystal-clear waters of Lake McDonald, creating a stunning and serene atmosphere. A boat tour allows you to take in the beauty of the park from a different perspective and learn about the history and geology of the area.
I'll never travel to Glacier National Park without this trip planner again
Learn more
Go birdwatching at Two Medicine Lake
In October, Two Medicine Lake is a prime spot for birdwatching as migratory birds pass through the area on their way south for the winter. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, osprey, and a variety of waterfowl as they make their way through the park.
Go wildlife spotting in Many Glacier Valley
In October, Many Glacier Valley is a prime spot for wildlife viewing as animals prepare for the winter months. Keep an eye out for grizzly bears, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats as they forage for food and prepare for the colder weather.
Hike to Grinnell Glacier
October is a great time to hike to Grinnell Glacier as the summer crowds have dissipated and the trail is less crowded. The fall colors add a beautiful backdrop to the already breathtaking scenery, making for a memorable and picturesque hike.
Take a scenic drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road
In October, the Going-to-the-Sun Road offers stunning views of fall foliage, snow-capped peaks, and wildlife. The road is typically less crowded in October, allowing for a more peaceful and enjoyable drive through the park.
I'll never travel to Glacier National Park without this trip planner again
Learn more
Holidays in Glacier National Park in October
October

There are no holidays in Glacier National Park in October

Other notable holidays

Weather in Glacier National Park in October

Temperatures on an average day in Glacier National Park in October

The average temperature in Glacier National Park in October for a typical day ranges from a high of 47°F (8°C) to a low of 29°F (-1°C). Some would describe it as cold with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Glacier National Park, August, has days with highs of 74°F (23°C) and lows of 48°F (9°C). The coldest month, February has days with highs of 23°F (-5°C) and lows of 7°F (-14°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Glacier National Park in October based on historical data.

Visiting Glacier National Park? See our Glacier National Park Trip Planner.

Historical temperature average in October
47°F
highs
29°F
lows

General weather summary

Cold with a gentle breeze
Feels like
31%
Chance of rain
0.119 in
Amount
11.3 mph
Wind speed
90%
Humidity
10.9 hrs
Daylight length
7:55 AM
Sunrise
6:46 PM
Sunset
40%
Cloud cover
Jacket
What to wear
What to wear in October
With an average high of 47°F (8°C) and a low of 29°F (-1°C), it generally feels cold with a gentle breeze. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something warm like a jacket
I'll never travel to Glacier National Park without this trip planner again
Learn more

Best attractions for Glacier National Park in October

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Glacier National Park has to offer for travelers in October, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Glacier National Park that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Glacier National Park for October.
Going-to-the-Sun Rd
1. Going-to-the-Sun Rd
Sights & Landmarks
Scenic Drives
Open seasonally due to snow, this road offers scenic alpine views with waterfalls & mountain goats.
Logan Pass
2. Logan Pass
4.8
(177)
Mountain pass
Nature & Parks
6,646-ft.-elevation pass on the Continental Divide, with dramatic mountain views & a visitor center.
Lake McDonald
3. Lake McDonald
4.8
(335)
Lake
Nature & Parks
This scenic alpine lake, the largest lake in Glacier National Park, offers kayaking & canoeing.
Avalanche Lake
4. Avalanche Lake
4.9
(243)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Dense woods & mountains surround this scenic lake known for its hiking trails & abundant wildlife.
Grinnell Glacier
5. Grinnell Glacier
4.9
(73)
Ice
Nature & Parks
A challenging hike leads to this famous & often photographed glacier in Glacier National Park.
Iceberg Lake
6. Iceberg Lake
4.8
(72)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Lake inside Glacier National Park offering views of Iceberg Peak & Mount Wilbur.
Swiftcurrent Lake
7. Swiftcurrent Lake
4.9
(32)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Large picturesque lake in Glacier National Park offering boating & a hotel on its shore.
Two Medicine Lake
8. Two Medicine Lake
4.9
(157)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Remote lake mirroring mountains with trails, a campground & boats, plus a 1914 chalet-turned-store.
Saint Mary Falls
9. Saint Mary Falls
4.9
(349)
Nature & Parks
Waterfalls
Scenic 35-ft. waterfall in Glacier National Park, accessible via a moderate hiking trail.
Running Eagle Falls
10. Running Eagle Falls
4.9
(25)
Waterfall
Nature & Parks
Locale for scenic hikes on a beginner-friendly trail with a stream crossing, waterfall & rocky pool.
Bowman Lake
11. Bowman Lake
4.8
(68)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Remote lake for kayaking in Glacier National Park with a small campground & dramatic mountain views.
Apgar Visitor Center
12. Apgar Visitor Center
4.6
(1638)
Visitor center
Hiking area
West Glacier visitor center with park maps, books, ranger programs & flora & fauna displays.
Fishercap Lake
13. Fishercap Lake
4.7
(21)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Redrock Falls
14. Redrock Falls
4.8
(39)
Waterfall
Nature & Parks
Iceberg Lake
15. Iceberg Lake
4.8
(72)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Lake inside Glacier National Park offering views of Iceberg Peak & Mount Wilbur.
McDonald Creek
16. McDonald Creek
4.9
(8)
River
Nature & Parks

Top searches in Glacier National Park

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Glacier National Park?

Get inspired for your trip to Glacier National Park with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

Planning a trip to Glacier National Park?
Save all the best places to visit with WanderlogDownload the travel planning app everyone's been raving about
  • Itinerary + map in one view
  • Live collaboration
  • Auto-import hotels and reservations
  • Optimize your route
  • Offline access on mobile
  • Optimize your route
  • See time and distance between all your places
Learn more
Get the iOS app from the App Store
Get the Android app from Google Play