Glacier Bay · October
Glacier Bay in October
October is one of the best times to visit Glacier Bay — quieter than September, busier than November.
Expect light crowds (3/10), highs near 45°F, and about 10.2 hours of daylight.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.
About 23% 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 October visits vs. the year
October draws about 5% 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
October weather
- Avg high
- 45°F
- Avg low
- 37°F
- Precipitation
- 10.2"
- Sunrise
- 6:45 AM
- Sunset
- 4:59 PM
- Daylight
- 10.2h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, GLACIER BAY, AK US
This week
7-day forecast for Glacier Bay
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 13 | Rain showers | 35°F | 31°F | 69% |
| Wed 14 | Drizzle | 36°F | 29°F | 76% |
| Thu 15 | Rain showers | 36°F | 30°F | 100% |
| Fri 16 | Rain showers | 35°F | 28°F | 95% |
| Sat 17 | Snow showers | 33°F | 24°F | 76% |
| Sun 18 | Drizzle | 33°F | 29°F | 79% |
| Mon 19 | Light drizzle | 36°F | 24°F | 56% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
What's open
Glacier Bay in October: 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
Alternatives
Quieter nearby in October
FAQ
Glacier Bay in October
How busy is Glacier Bay in October?
October rates 3/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — about 23% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 36,641.
What is the weather like at Glacier Bay in October?
In October, Glacier Bay averages a high of 45°F and a low of 37°F, with about 10.2 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 October?
In mid-October, Glacier Bay gets about 10.2 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 6:45 AM and sunset around 4:59 PM.