Montana guide

Summer in Montana: The Ultimate Guide

06/01/2025

Find out everything you need to know about summer in Montana, like hiking spots, wildlife viewing, hot springs, park opening dates, and where to stay.

Summer in Montana is a season of trail time, fun on the water, and national park splendor.

Get ready for soaking and boating, time on the trail, and wildlife watching. Find out everything you need to know about Montana’s summer weather, national park opening dates, and where to stay.

And, keep in mind, Starry Night Lodging campgrounds, hotels, and vacation rentals around the state give you a home base for all your Montana summer adventures.

National Park Opening Dates

If you’re planning a trip to Montana this summer, one or two national parks are likely on your to-do list. Know what to expect as far as opening dates and reservation requirements so you can be prepared.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is open year round for recreation. But the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road through the park is open seasonally for vehicle traffic. The opening date can vary considerably depending on the snowpack that year or scheduled road work that has to be completed after plowing crews have cleared the snow off the road. But usually, the road opens in early July. Continue to check the park’s website for current updates.

If your dream is to drive to Logan Pass, plan accordingly and don’t book a trip for earlier than mid July. If you’re more flexible about your plans, late spring and early summer are an ideal time to visit before the crowds arrive. You can check current road closures, trail conditions, wildlife closures, fire information, and more on the park website.

Vehicle Reservations

In addition to your pass or entry fee, Glacier requires a vehicle reservation between June 13 and September 28 at the North Fork and West Entrance of the Going-to-the-Sun Road between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Yellowstone National Park

Though Yellowstone doesn’t require a reservation for entry (just your park pass or entrance fee), parts of the park are also closed to cars seasonally.

Generally, the road from Gardiner to Cooke City is open year round to public vehicles. Road conditions and openings for other park roads vary from year to year, and you can check current conditions and closures on the NPS website. The predicted openings for 2025 are:

  • Open April 18 - October 31: The road connection Mammoth, West Yellowstone, Canyon, and Old Faithful

  • Open May 2 - October 31: The road from the East Entrance to Yellowstone Lake and Canyon

  • Open May 9 - October 31: The road from the South Entrance to West Thumb, Yellowstone Lake and Old Faithful

  • Open May 23 - October 31: The road between Canyon and Tower Fall

Summer Weather in Montana

One of the best things about Montana is its unpredictability: you might see a bear wander across the road in front of you, experience the beauty of the northern lights, or see a mountain pass blanketed with snow in July. That said, it’s important to plan for the element of surprise that the weather brings.

Here are some tips for being ready for anything in summer in Montana:

  • Don’t forget to pack your layers. Even in summer, it’s a good idea to bring some gloves and a warm hat, especially if you’re planning to camp or travel at high mountain elevations. In the valleys, temperatures might climb to 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. But it’s also not uncommon to have overnight lows in the 40s. And summer snow flurries are always a possibility, especially at high elevations.

  • Check the weather before you head out, and have a backup plan. If you see storms on the forecast, it’s better to change your plans in the morning before you hit the trail.

  • Carry bear spray anytime you’re in the Montana wilderness. TSA won’t allow you to travel by plane with bear spray, but you can rent it for about $5 from many gear rental companies, or ask your accommodation if they have any you can rent. You can also purchase it at most recreation stores (and even convenient stores) in Montana.

  • Montana’s forests are prone to wildfire. Know the fire danger and air quality index, and plan accordingly.

  • Be flexible, and every day will be a good one! Have a backup plan you’re excited about if weather impacts your first choice.

Where to Stay in the Summer in Montana

When you’re booking accommodations for a summer trip to Montana, choosing comfort and proximity to your bucket-list activities gives you more time to enjoy.

Glacier Area

Getting to Glacier National Park is easy when you stay at the River Bend House by Starry Night Lodging, located in West Glacier just minutes from the park entrance. With all the amenities of home (and more!), you’ll find comfort after a long day of adventuring.

Butte

To explore Butte’s history and surrounding natural beauty along the continental divide, you don’t want to miss a stay at the Butte KOA Journey. RVers and tent campers can get comfortable in spacious sites, while those looking for the Montana cabin life can find their home base in a rustic cabin.

Yellowstone Area

Campers and RVers can’t go wrong with convenient park access from:

  • Bozeman Trail RV Park, giving you all the amenities of a larger mountain town with easy access to the North and West Entrances.

  • Osen’s RV Park, located in the community of Livingston near the North Entrance.

  • Ennis RV Park, a convenient base camp near the West Yellowstone Entrance.

For an affordable stay in Gardiner, minutes from the North Entrance, reserve your stay at:

3 Essential Activities for Summer in Montana

Floating, Soaking, and Lake Time in Montana

For a landlocked state, Montana has some big waters to recreate on. For floating or fishing, you can’t go wrong exploring Montana’s famous rivers and waterways. And the area is known for its natural hot springs. No matter what corner of the state your travels take you to, time on the water is a must for summer in Montana.

Glacier Area

Yellowstone Country

Hit the Trail: Hiking, Biking, or Riding

AllTrails and Trailforks can point you in the right direction, or get inspired with this trail guide to hiking around Whitefish, this one for hiking near Butte, or these epic lake hikes around the state. But if you’re not sure where to start, here are a few of our favorite areas to hike during summer in Montana.

Glacier Country

Butte

Yellowstone Country

Watch for Wildlife

Wild critters call all corners of Montana home. From bears and wolves, to bison, moose, birds, and small mammals, there are plenty of species to check off your lifer list in Montana. And while there’s no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to wildlife, there are a few spots you can go to increase your chances of spotting species:

Glacier Country

Butte

Yellowstone Country