National Park & Preserve · AK
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay is quietest in January and February and busiest in August.
Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is known as Homeland to the Huna and Yakutat Lingít, and is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration.
727K recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit Glacier Bay
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18 | Snow showers | 32°F | 29°F | 100% |
| Mon 19 | Heavy snow | 32°F | 30°F | 100% |
| Tue 20 | Snow showers | 41°F | 30°F | 100% |
| Wed 21 | Snow showers | 31°F | 27°F | 73% |
| Thu 22 | Snow showers | 28°F | 23°F | 71% |
| Fri 23 | Snow showers | 29°F | 19°F | 51% |
| Sat 24 | Clear | 31°F | 18°F | 3% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F | 26°F | 6.7" |
| February | 34°F | 26°F | 4.8" |
| March | 37°F | 28°F | 4.3" |
| April | 46°F | 33°F | 3.4" |
| May | 54°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| June | 59°F | 45°F | 2.8" |
| July | 61°F | 49°F | 4.8" |
| August | 60°F | 48°F | 6.0" |
| September | 54°F | 43°F | 9.2" |
| October | 45°F | 37°F | 10.2" |
| November | 37°F | 30°F | 8.5" |
| December | 33°F | 27°F | 8.9" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, GLACIER BAY, AK US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- Free — Free entrance
- Hours
- There are no entrance gates at Glacier Bay National Park, so we are technically open 24-hours a day; however, services may be extremely limited depending on the time of your visit. The main visitor season is from late-May through early-September with the peak being the month of July. Check the VISITOR CENTERS tab below to see hours for specific facilities, and read the exceptions that detail seasonal changes in hours.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
No current alerts or closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
Glacier Bay questions
When is the best time to visit Glacier Bay?
Glacier Bay is least crowded in January, February, and March. August is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit Glacier Bay?
Entry to Glacier Bay is free.
When is Glacier Bay busiest?
Glacier Bay is busiest in August, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is Glacier Bay during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to Glacier Bay. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.