Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Glacier National Park in October
Glacier National Park cools off: highs slip to 44°F (7°C), from 59°F in September, with lows of 27°F (-3°C) and about 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 51/100, 6th of 12.
- Avg high
- 44°F (7°C)
- Avg low
- 27°F (-3°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.4 in (62 mm)
- Humidity
- 78%
- Cloud cover
- 66%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 31 min
- Comfort score
- 51/100 · Fair
What October feels like
It's cool, with highs near 44°F (7°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Average lows of 27°F (-3°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 2.4 in (62 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because nights fall well below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Plan around October
October sits mid-table; the best months are July & August.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 27°F.
- Snow becomes likely from October, so check road and trail conditions.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 9°C (16°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 81/100 in September to 51/100.
- Our Glacier to Yellowstone route recommends Jun – Sep, so October falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for October
- Insulated jackethighs only 44°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 27°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.4 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Glacier National Park in October
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
50-mile alpine road crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass.
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
2.7-mile round trip from Logan Pass across meadows to a lake view, often with mountain goats.
Polebridge Mercantile
1914 general store and bakery in the North Fork, known for huckleberry bear claws.
Lake McDonald
Glacier's largest lake, famous for colored stones visible through clear water at Apgar.
Northern Lights Saloon
Log-cabin saloon next to the Mercantile, with a beer garden facing the peaks.
Nearby in October
- Banff in October~185 mi · highs 44°F, 2.4 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Lake Louise in October~212 mi · highs 41°F, 3.4 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Glacier National Park in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Glacier National Park?
It's middling, scoring 51/100. The best months are July & August, at up to 97. Expect highs of 44°F (7°C) and 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain or snow. Our Glacier to Yellowstone route recommends Jun – Sep, so October is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Glacier National Park in October?
Average highs are 44°F (7°C) and average lows 27°F (-3°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Glacier National Park in October?
Some: about 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain or snow falls across October on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 31.6 in (802 mm).
What should I pack for Glacier National Park in October?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 44°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 27°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.4 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Glacier National Park
Planning Glacier National Park in October?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.