We all love bluebird days, and if you’ve spent much time in Glacier, you know we get plenty of sunshine. But, we’re in the mountains, and the weather can be fickle. Unexpected rain (or snow) can happen any time of year, so one of our FAQ is: What is there to do on a rainy day in Glacier National Park? Let us tell you!
5 Reasons Why A Rainy Day in Glacier National Park Is Actually Really Great!
Rain doesn’t have to mean the fun stops. There are lots of things to do around here when it’s raining.
1. Whitewater rafting Glacier National Park in the rain is just as much fun as rafting in the sunshine.
A lot of people think that rafting is only an activity for sunshiny days, but that’s just not true. The bottom line is that you are gonna get wet either way, so a little rain isn’t going to take away from the experience! If your Montana trip involves a rainy day in Glacier National Park, round up the troops and come rafting with us! Splash gear and river booties are always included in the price of your trip. You’ll be wet, sure, but also warm and happy!
Whitewater rafting isn’t exactly a dry sport, which makes it a perfect rainy day activity. Photo credit: Glacier Guide Haley Leishman.
Glacier Guides and Montana Raft doesn’t charge extra for wet suits and splash gear, so you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy a day on the river, no matter the conditions. Photo credit: Glacier Guide Chelsea Tuttle
Rain or shine, Glacier Guides & Montana Raft boathouse managers Ben and Butte are ready to make sure you have a great time on the river.
2. Hiking in the rain is a blast.
There are lots of advantages to rainy day hiking. The trails aren’t crowded, the plants and vegetation are more vibrant, and the mountains look beautiful partially shrouded in misty clouds.
Don’t let a little rain stop you from having a great adventure in Glacier National Park. Grab a rain jacket and a thermos of tea or coffee, and hit the trails.
Avalanche Lake is a perfect rainy day hike. There’s plenty of forest cover and the old growth cedars and ferns along the trail are beautiful in the rain.
Rain = mud, and mud makes it much easier to see who else is sharing the trail with you!
3. Glacier National Park is known for its waterfalls, and there’s no better time to see waterfalls than when it’s raining.
St. Mary Falls is just a short walk from the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and when it’s raining, the red sandstone cliffs it spills over are more vibrant than ever, which provides a stunning contrast with icy blue-green water rushing over them. Photo credit: Glacier Guide Tania Menachemoff.
Virginia Falls, which is less than a mile from St. Mary Falls, looks equally stunning on a rainy day. Photo credit: Glacier Guide Tania Menachemoff.
Often times rainstorms move through Glacier National Park very quickly, and some of the best light for taking photos happens right when storms are breaking up.
4. Rainbows and mountains are a match made in heaven.
As the saying goes, you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain, so we don’t mind an occasional rainy day in Glacier National Park.
Talk about a room with a view. This post-rainstorm shot was taken from Granite Park Chalet. Photo credit: Glacier Guide Jeff Compton.
You won’t find a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow over Swiftcurrent Lake, but you will find the Many Glacier Hotel, which beats a pot of gold any day in my book.
5. Rainy days are the perfect time to explore indoors.
No one comes to Glacier National Park to stay inside, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of really neat places to visit indoors. You could easily fill a day or more exploring the historical lodges, visitors centers, and museums in and around Glacier National Park.
I can’t think of a better place to curl up with a good book than by the fire in the cozy Lake McDonald Lodge. (for book ideas, go here.)
The newly re-opened Crown of the Continent Discovery Center in West Glacier is a one-stop information center for all things Glacier. They have kid-friendly interactive interpretive displays, information about area activities, a restaurant, a bar, ice cream, a coffee shop, gear, and great Made in Montana Gifts.
The Alberta Visitor Center in West Glacier has so much more than travel info. If you have kids, this is a great place to learn about the history and geology of the entire area, not just Alberta. Plus they have an interactive display where you can dig up and dust off dinosaur fossils. Who doesn’t love to do that?!
Montana weather can be unpredictable, but there’s still plenty to do in any weather, so if it’s a rainy day in Glacier National Park, I’ll see you out there!
-Dre