When to catch Glacierat its best

Things to do

• BeaversThe North American beaver is the second largest rodent in the world behind the Capybara of South America. Found throughout the U.S. and Canada, these semiaquatic ecosystem engineers constuct dams and lodges that affect the hydrology and ecology of their surroundings. As a keystone species, their presence in riparian habitats affects all neighboring animal and plant life.
• WolverinesA mid-sized carnivore in the weasel family, the wolverine is active throughout the year in cold, snowy environments to which it is well-adapted. Wolverines are rarely seen and inhabit remote terrain. They are also known as one of the rarest and most elusive carnivores on the planet.
• Mountain GoatsThe mountain goat is one of the park's most inconic creatures. It is the only living member of its genus and is more closely related to caprines (the chamois of Europe and the gorals and serows of Asia) than to domesticated goats.
• Listen to Glacier's PodcastRangers recommend Glacier's podcast, Headwaters: a podcast about how Glacier is connected to everything else!
• Red FoxesRed foxes are found throughout the northern hemisphere. In Glacier, they are adapted to a wide range of habitats, from open grasslands to dense forests. Most abundant in riparian areas and along the edges of forests, they are the smallest of the canids found in the park. Red foxes occur in several color phases, but they usually have reddish-yellow coats that are somewhat darker on the back and shoulders, black "socks" on their lower legs, and a white-tipped tail.
• Gray WolvesThe subspecies of gray wolves (Canis lupus) found in Glacier is called the northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf (C. l. irremotus). There are three color variants: gray, white, and black. Wolves are secretive and elusive creatures, with sightings primarily being of lone wolves or pairs.
• ElkGlacier provides a summer range for a significant number of elk, while most winter at lower elevations outside the park. The subspecies occuring in Glacier is the Rocky Mountain elk (C. c. nelsoni). They feed on grasses, sedges, other herbs and shrubs, bark of aspen trees, conifer needles, burned bark, and aquatic plants.
• DeerTwo types of deer are commonly seen thorughout Glacier: the northwestern white-tailed deer (O. v. ochrourus) and the Rocky Mountain mule deer (O. h. hemionus). Both will flee when in danger. Males grow antlers from April or May through August or September and then shed them in the spring.
• All about birding in Glacier National ParkGlacier provides a wonderful opportunity to birdwatch, with plenty of spaces for birders of all ages to sit, listen, and observe the sights and sounds of nature. With 279 documented species including raptors, songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl, the park’s variation in elevation and habitat types contribute to a high diversity of bird life.
• White-Tailed PtarmiganThe white-tailed ptarmigan is a medium to large chicken-like member of the grouse family. They are completely white in winter and barred grayish-brown in summer with white wings and tails and feathered feet. Breeding males will have a broad band of black markings across the chest and have red eye combs. Like chickens, they make clucking noises.
• Mountain BluebirdThe mountain bluebird is a small bird with a round head and a straight, thin bill. Adult males are bright sky-blue, somewhat paler underneath. Adult females have duller blue wings and tails with gray breasts, crowns, throats, and backs. Their call sounds similar to a thin “tew” while their song is a warbled high “chur chur.”
• Clark's NutcrackerThe Clark’s nutcracker has a pale- gray body, black wings with large white patches along the trailing edges, and a black tail with broad white stripes on either side. These birds typically travel in small flocks and call back and forth to communicate. They have a long, harsh, rising call that sounds similar to “shraaaaaaa.”