State guide
Montana's national parks
Montana lays claim to two of the country's greatest national parks: Glacier, with its alpine peaks and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, and Yellowstone, whose northern entrances and Lamar Valley wildlife sit on the Montana side. This guide compares the two.
Short answer
Glacier ranks first for its concentrated alpine drama and the Going-to-the-Sun Road, followed by Yellowstone for its geysers, canyons, and wildlife, much of it reached through Montana's northern gateways. Both are best from late June through September, when the high roads are open and the gateways are in full swing.
How Montana's parks were ranked
- Scenic payoff and how distinctive each park's landscape is.
- Ease of access, lodging, and how forgiving the logistics are.
- Range of activities, from scenic drives to wildlife watching and hiking.
- Seasonal window, since the high roads and gateways are seasonal.
Recommended parks
Each pick links to the full park guide with season tables, logistics, packing, and route context.
The alpine headlineGlacier
- Best for
- Going-to-the-Sun Road, alpine lakes, and high passes
- Watch
- Going-to-the-Sun Road is only fully open for a short summer window and has used vehicle reservations in recent years, so confirm the current rule before you go.
Glacier is Montana's signature park, with jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most spectacular alpine drives in the country.
Open the Glacier guide
The geyser giantYellowstone
- Best for
- Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Lamar Valley wildlife
- Watch
- Distances inside the park are long and bison can stop traffic for an hour. Most interior roads are closed to regular vehicles from roughly November into spring.
Yellowstone is enormous, and its northern entrances at Gardiner and the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley sit on the Montana side, with geysers, canyons, and abundant wildlife throughout.
Open the Yellowstone guidePlanning notes
Treat them as separate trips
Glacier sits in far northwest Montana and Yellowstone straddles the southern border, so they are a long drive apart. Most travelers visit one or the other rather than both in a single trip.
Use the Montana gateways for Yellowstone's north
Gardiner and West Yellowstone are convenient Montana bases for Yellowstone's geyser basins and the northern wildlife valleys, and Bozeman is the nearest major airport.
Go in summer
Late June through September is the dependable window. Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road and Yellowstone's interior roads are seasonal, so summer into early fall is when both parks are fully open.
Frequently asked questions
How many national parks are in Montana?
Montana has two national parks: Glacier, in the far northwest, and Yellowstone, which straddles the southern border and is reached through Montana gateways like Gardiner and West Yellowstone.
What is the best national park in Montana?
Glacier is usually ranked first for its concentrated alpine scenery and the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Yellowstone is the other giant, famous for its geysers, canyons, and wildlife, with major access points on the Montana side.
When is the best time to visit Montana's national parks?
Late June through September is best for both. Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road and Yellowstone's interior roads are seasonal and snow-dependent, so summer into early fall offers the fullest access.
Pack and plan this trip
Gear keyed to what these parks are for, the tools to size your days and budget, and explainers worth a read before you go.
What to pack
Plan with our tools
More trip planning paths
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