Montana has been a key tourist destination for many travelers to Big Sky Country, thanks to its expansive wilderness that include mountain ranges, lakes, and the biggest attraction for many, Glacier National Park.
With so much to do, you may be asking yourself when is the best time to visit Montana? We will take a closer look at the months and seasons, so you know when is the best time for you to visit.
When is the Best Time to Visit Montana?
Summer is the best time to visit Montana, this allows you to enjoy the nature and culture of the Treasure State while enjoying clear skies and warm weather. However, Montana also sees a spike in tourists during the winter months as many flocks to one of their many ski resorts and winter festivities.
High Season (June to August)
The best time to visit is throughout the summer months between June and August when the weather is sunny and warm when there are many outdoor festivals and other summer holiday events.
The other popular time is between December and March when the snow fanatics come for the ski season. Places like Yellowstone can still be reached during winter by snowmobiles and cross-country skis, and Glacier National Park is also open with limited traffic access.
Shoulder Season (May, September/October)
The fall and spring shoulder seasons are the best periods to find reduced accommodation prices, and the weather is warmer than in winter. January is quite slow too, with a more chance of promotions and reduced rates.
Low Season (November to April)
The low season in Montana is when summer is over and the area’s two main winter resorts, Big Sky and Big Mountain, close at the end of ski season.
A lot of the other businesses and attractions near the ski resorts may also close for a short period at this time.
Montana Weather by Month
- Montana Weather in January: January often has some of the lowest temperatures in Montana, on average around 2°F (-16.7°C) in some areas. In western regions like Flathead Lake the highest temperatures will be in the range of 22°F (-5.6°C) to 32°F (0°C). There isn’t much sun at this time and days are short, with some of the heaviest snowfall of the year, especially across the southwestern mountain ranges. If there is any sunshine it only lasts for around 4 hours a day.
- Montana Weather in February: Another cold winter month with average temperatures as low as 5°F (-15°C) and not much higher than 40°F (4.4°C) between the various regions of the state. Snowstorms and blizzards are common at this point in the winter, although the weather is somewhat irregular in February with variations of up to 50 degrees between areas separated by high mountains. There is plenty of cloud, ice, and snow, and not much by way of sun.
- Montana Weather in March: March is close to the tail end of the winter season in Montana, with snowfall still common and heaviest in the southwest and south-central locations. There is a chance of