USA & Canada · Best Jul–Sep
Glacier National Park packing list for families
Glacier is wild mountain country, with snow on the high trails in July and grizzlies in the backcountry. Packing well here is about warmth, waterproofing, and safety on the trail.
Photo by David Morris on Unsplash
Kristina's notes on Glacier National Park
- Going-to-the-Sun Road usually opens fully in late June or July and closes in the fall. Glacier has used vehicle reservations for parts of the park in recent summers, so check the park's site before you book.
- This is grizzly country. Carry bear spray on every hike, and know you can't fly with it, so buy or rent it once you land. Make noise on the trail and keep little ones close.
- Logan Pass can be 20 or more degrees cooler than Lake McDonald, with snow on the trails into July. Pack fleece and a warm hat even for an August trip.
Best timeJul–Sep
PlugsUS plugs, no adapter needed
MoneyUS dollar
PassportNot for US citizens
Your packing edit
Glacier National Park
This time of year
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Every item links to what Kristina would buy. Tap Add to bag on what you're missing, then check out on Amazon in one tap.
Carry-on17
Carry-on suitcase per personKristina's pick
Packing cubes, one color per personKristina's pickEveryone knows exactly which cube is theirs.
Kids' headphones, volume-limited
Tablet with downloaded shows
Snack box with dividers
Reusable water bottles
Change of clothes for each kid
Car seat travel bag
Travel neck pillow for the grown-ups
Kids' travel pillow
Light blanket or large scarf for the plane
Change of shirt for the grown-upsSpills on a kid mean spills on you.
Baby wipes, even for big kids
Kids' backpack for their own things
Coloring book, sticker book, or activity pad
A new book or two
Gum or mints
Clothing14
Daytime outfits8 per person
Pajamas2 per person
One nicer outfit for dinners and photos
Underwear and socks9 per person
Light sweater or sweatshirt per personPlanes, restaurants, and evenings run cool.
Light rain jacket per person
Leggings or comfy travel pants for the flight
Shorts and skirts
Belt
Sports bra or workout clothes
Socks for closed shoes, plus a spare pair
Pajamas for the first night in the carry-onIf a bag is late, bedtime still happens.
Packable rain jacketMountain storms roll in quickly.
Fleece and warm hatHigh passes are cold even in summer.
Shoes4
Broken-in walking sneakersKristina's pickNever bring brand-new shoes on a walking trip.
Flip-flops or slides for the pool and shower
Dress shoes or nicer sandals
Kids' hiking bootsSnowmelt and rocky trails need waterproof traction.
Beach & pool1
Mineral sunscreen
Adventure2
Bear sprayKristina's pickRecommended on every trail; buy or rent it after you land.
Kids' binocularsSpot mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bears from a distance.
Little ones13
Diapers and wipesenough for 3 days, buy the rest there
Portable sound machineKristina's pickMakes every hotel room feel like home.
Travel blackout shades
Favorite lovey, plus a backup
Sippy cup or straw cup
Bibs and a few spoons
Portable changing pad
Diaper cream
Baby monitor
Fitted crib sheet from homeA familiar smell helps babies sleep in a new crib.
Outlet covers
Potty seat or folding potty
Soft baby carrier instead of a strollerKristina's pickStairs, cobblestones, or trails make strollers hard here.
Little things19
AirTag in each checked bagKristina's pickYou'll know your bag made the connection before you do.
Stain remover penGelato happens. Photos still look great.
Laundry detergent sheetsOne sink wash halfway through means packing half the clothes.
Gallon zip bags, a handfulWet swimsuits, sandy shoes, and the occasional car-sick emergency.
Pen in your carry-onFor arrival forms, so you're not borrowing one in the immigration line.
Hair ties and a small detangling brush
Hand sanitizer wipes and pocket tissues
Lollipops or gum for takeoff and landingSwallowing helps little ears pop.
A few wrapped surprise toys for the flightUnwrapping buys you twenty minutes. Unwrapping slowly buys thirty.
Stick-on battery night lightHotel rooms are pitch dark, and the bathroom is never where they expect.
Kids' nail clippers and tweezersSplinters from boardwalks and docks are a vacation classic.
Electrolyte packetsHot days and long walks catch up with kids before they say they're thirsty.
Earplugs and an eye mask for the grown-ups
Small foldable tote for souvenirs and laundry
Sewing kit and safety pins
Luggage tags
Collapsible water bottle for the grown-ups
Sunglasses for the grown-ups
Small umbrella
Health & toiletries18
Travel first-aid kit
Kids' fever reducer and allergy medicine
Hanging toiletry bag
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
Deodorant
Hairbrush, comb, and hair ties
Face wash and moisturizer
Makeup and makeup remover
Razor
Contact lenses, solution, and glasses
Prescription medicines in original bottlesKeep them in your carry-on, never in checked bags.
Bandages and blister pads
Kids' thermometer
Anti-itch cream
Hand lotion and SPF lip balm
Feminine products
Clear quart bag for liquids
Documents & tech17
Phone lanyard or crossbody case
Portable phone chargerKristina's pick
Kids' ID bracelet with your phone number
Driver's licenses and kids' IDs
Health insurance cards
Travel insurance details
Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
Some cash in small billsFor tips, taxis, and markets.
Photos of passports and IDs on your phone
Booking confirmations saved offline
Phone chargers and cables for everyone
Multi-port wall chargerOne outlet, every device charged by morning.
Tablet chargers and kids' headphones adapter
Wireless earbuds for the grown-ups
Airplane Bluetooth adapter for seatback screens
Camera and memory card
E-reader
The outfit edit
Nordic layers
Charcoal, oatmeal, forest, rust
For photos
- Rust or red pops against snow and black sand
- Matching knit hats for the whole crew
Tap any piece to shop the look.
Month by month
Glacier National Park weather and what's happening
Typical daytime highs and what each month feels like with kids.
| Month | Typical high | What it's like | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F -2°C | Deep snow, with most roads closed and only the Lake McDonald area easily reached | |
| February | 34°F 1°C | Deep snow, with most roads closed and only the Lake McDonald area easily reached | |
| March | 43°F 6°C | Deep snow, with most roads closed and only the Lake McDonald area easily reached | |
| April | 54°F 12°C | Snowy high country and plowing on Going-to-the-Sun Road, with mild valley days | Biking or walking sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road before it opens to cars |
| May | 64°F 18°C | Snowy high country and plowing on Going-to-the-Sun Road, with mild valley days | Biking or walking sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road before it opens to cars |
| June | 71°F 22°C | Cool and often rainy, with high trails still snowbound | Biking or walking sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road before it opens to cars Beargrass blooms on the slopes, heavier in some years than others |
| July | 81°F 27°C | Warm, mostly dry days and cool nights, with possible wildfire smoke | Beargrass blooms on the slopes, heavier in some years than others Wildflower meadows at Logan Pass and mountain goats near Hidden Lake Overlook |
| August | 80°F 27°C | Warm, mostly dry days and cool nights, with possible wildfire smoke | Wildflower meadows at Logan Pass and mountain goats near Hidden Lake Overlook Huckleberry season, with huckleberry treats at every stop |
| September | 68°F 20°C | Crisp fall days turning wintry by November, with early snow up high and the road closing for the season | |
| October | 53°F 12°C | Crisp fall days turning wintry by November, with early snow up high and the road closing for the season | Western larches turning gold in October |
| November | 37°F 3°C | Crisp fall days turning wintry by November, with early snow up high and the road closing for the season | |
| December | 28°F -2°C | Deep snow, with most roads closed and only the Lake McDonald area easily reached |
Questions families ask
Glacier National Park with kids, answered
When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park with kids?
The best time is Jul–Sep. Cool and often rainy, with high trails still snowbound
What's the weather like in Glacier National Park?
Typical daytime highs range from about 28°F (-2°C) in December to about 81°F (27°C) in July. See the month-by-month table on this page.
Do I need a passport for Glacier National Park?
US citizens don't need a passport, but bring a government ID for adults.
What kind of plug adapter do I need for Glacier National Park?
None. Glacier National Park uses the same plugs as the US.
What's your top tip for Glacier National Park with kids?
Going-to-the-Sun Road usually opens fully in late June or July and closes in the fall. Glacier has used vehicle reservations for parts of the park in recent summers, so check the park's site before you book.
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I'm Kristina, and planning family trips is what I do.
As a luxury travel advisor with KM Luxe Travel, I plan the hotels, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.