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Glacier Bay · August

Glacier Bay in August

August is the busiest time to visit Glacier Bay — about as busy as July, busier than September.

Expect peak crowds (10/10), highs near 60°F, and about 15.4 hours of daylight.

Crowd score

How busy it gets

10/10
Peak

The park's busiest time. Reservations, early starts, and patience recommended.

About 93% of this park's busiest month.

Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 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

Visitation

Typical August visits vs. the year

August (typical)146,820
Peak — July157,169
Quietest — February219

August draws about 20% of Glacier Bay’s yearly visitors.

Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.

Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025

Weather

August weather

Avg high
60°F
Avg low
48°F
Precipitation
6.0"
Sunrise
4:28 AM
Sunset
7:53 PM
Daylight
15.4h

Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, GLACIER BAY, AK US

What's open

Glacier Bay in August: access

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.

No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.

Source: NPS Data API

Conditions

Current alerts

No current alerts or closures reported for this park.

Source: NPS Data API

Context

Glacier Bay crowds across the year

January: 1/10 crowdJanFebruary: 1/10 crowdFebMarch: 1/10 crowdMarApril: 1/10 crowdAprMay: 8/10 crowdMayJune: 10/10 crowdJunJuly: 10/10 crowdJulAugust: 10/10 crowd10AugSeptember: 8/10 crowdSepOctober: 3/10 crowdOctNovember: 1/10 crowdNovDecember: 1/10 crowdDec

Alternatives

Quieter nearby in August

FAQ

Glacier Bay in August

How busy is Glacier Bay in August?

August rates 10/10 for crowds (Peak) at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — about 93% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 146,820.

What is the weather like at Glacier Bay in August?

In August, Glacier Bay averages a high of 60°F and a low of 48°F, with about 6.0 inches of precipitation.

How much does it cost to visit Glacier Bay?

Entry to Glacier Bay is free.

When is Glacier Bay least crowded?

Glacier Bay is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.

How many hours of daylight does Glacier Bay get in August?

In mid-August, Glacier Bay gets about 15.4 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 4:28 AM and sunset around 7:53 PM.