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Glacier National Park

Montana · Rocky Mountains

ChallengingOfficial Site

Habitat

MountainForest

Best Seasons

Summer

Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

June-August

Entrance Fee

$35 per vehicle (7-day pass)

Hours

Open 24 hours; vehicle reservations required for Going-to-the-Sun Road in summer

About This Location

Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana straddles the Continental Divide, providing habitat for Harlequin Ducks on rushing streams, White-tailed Ptarmigan above treeline, and boreal species in dense subalpine forests. The Going-to-the-Sun Road traverses outstanding birding habitat.

Location

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Notable Species

White-tailed Ptarmigan Harlequin Duck Clark's Nutcracker Boreal Owl Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026Bancroft Pond1 observed

Ring-necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

3/4/2026Collin’s and Masonic Home Rds13 observed

White-winged Scoter

Melanitta deglandi

3/4/2026Thompson Falls Reservoir1 observed

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

3/4/2026Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds2 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026Bancroft Pond1 observed

Mountain Bluebird

Sialia currucoides

3/3/2026Crazy Mountain Vista Rd,Columbus US-MT 45.61558, -109.107822 observed

Mountain Bluebird

Sialia currucoides

3/3/2026Crazy Mountain Vista Rd,Columbus US-MT 45.61558, -109.107822 observed

Sandhill Crane (Greater)

Antigone canadensis

3/3/2026Red Barn2 observed

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelope

3/3/2026Flathead Lake--Dayton Bay1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/3/2026Bancroft Pond1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/3/2026Bancroft Pond1 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/3/2026Bancroft Pond1 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/3/2026Bancroft Pond1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/3/2026Bancroft Pond1 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/3/2026Bancroft Pond1 observed

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Corthylio calendula

3/3/2026Erskine FAS1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/3/2026Shiloh Conservation Area1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/3/2026Maclay Flat Rec. Area2 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Giant Springs SP2 observed

American Pipit

Anthus rubescens

3/2/2026Stinger/Leighton Rd. Pond, Ronan, MT., U.S.1 observed

Recent Observations

Downy Woodpecker

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Robin

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Raven

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

4 birds

Northern Flicker

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

3 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

3 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

5 birds

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

1 birds

Pine Siskin

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

7 birds

Mountain Chickadee

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

1 birds

Hairy Woodpecker

Worth Home Yard - Whitefish

3/4/2026

1 birds

Song Sparrow

Greenough Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mallard

Greenough Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Belted Kingfisher

Greenough Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Dipper

Greenough Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Common Merganser

Thompson Falls Reservoir

3/4/2026

Redhead

Thompson Falls Reservoir

3/4/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

Thompson Falls Reservoir

3/4/2026

Canada Goose

Thompson Falls Reservoir

3/4/2026

Birding Tips

1
Hike above Logan Pass for White-tailed Ptarmigan
2
Check McDonald Creek for Harlequin Ducks in early summer

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Trails

Campground

Nearby Attractions

Flathead Lake
Waterton Lakes National Park

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

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Best Birding Apps for 2026

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Best Binoculars for Birding in 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park for birding?▼

The best months to visit Glacier National Park for birding are June-August. The best seasons are Summer.

What birds can I see at Glacier National Park?▼

Notable species at Glacier National Park include White-tailed Ptarmigan, Harlequin Duck, Clark's Nutcracker, Boreal Owl, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. The area supports mountain, forest habitats.

How difficult is birding at Glacier National Park?▼

Birding at Glacier National Park is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.

Is there an entrance fee at Glacier National Park?▼

The entrance fee at Glacier National Park is $35 per vehicle (7-day pass). Hours: Open 24 hours; vehicle reservations required for Going-to-the-Sun Road in summer.

What amenities are available at Glacier National Park?▼

Glacier National Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails, Campground.