Places / Glacier National Park
UV index at Glacier National Park, Montana
Check another placeLoading today’s UV…
- Low 0 to 2
- Moderate 3 to 5
- High 6 to 7
- Very high 8 to 10
- Extreme 11+
Hour-by-hour numbers
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|
The next few days
Each day’s UV curve and peak, drawn on the same scale so you can compare. The forecast reaches roughly four days ahead.
What to do today
About Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park’s valley floors sit around 3,150 feet (960 m), but the Going-to-the-Sun Road climbs to Logan Pass at 6,646 feet (2,026 m), and trails like the Highline push higher still into open alpine terrain that holds snow well into summer.
Elevation, snow and your real UV
The forecast covers the general park area. Using the WHO’s rule of thumb of about 10% to 12% more UV per 1,000 metres of elevation:
| Place | Elevation | Compared with baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Lake McDonald | 961 m (about 3,150 ft) | Baseline |
| Logan Pass | 2,026 m (6,646 ft) | about 10% to 13% more UV |
| Highline Trail high point | 2,317 m (7,600 ft) | about 13% to 16% more UV |
Snowfields near Logan Pass persist into July and reflect additional UV upward, which is covered in more depth in UV at altitude, on snow and under clouds.
When UV is strongest here
UV peaks June through August, when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open and days are long. Even with Montana’s cool mountain air, clear-sky UV at Logan Pass reaches very high in midsummer.
On the trail
The Highline Trail and Hidden Lake Overlook run along open alpine ridgelines with no tree cover, often past lingering snow. Cool temperatures at altitude make it easy to underestimate the sun.
Sun protection tips for Glacier
- Start high-alpine hikes like the Highline Trail early to be off exposed ridgelines before midday.
- If you cross snowfields near Logan Pass, expect reflected glare and reapply sunscreen more often.
- Sunglasses that block UV matter here as much as sunscreen, especially around snow.
- Cool mountain air doesn’t mean low UV — dress for the sun, not just the temperature.
Similar places
Related guides
- UV at Altitude, Snow and Clouds: Why You Burn Faster
- What to Wear Hiking for Sun Protection: A Practical Guide
Elevations are rounded published figures. UV forecasts are model estimates for the area and can differ from what you experience on the ground. This is general information about sun safety and isn’t medical advice. Last updated September 22, 2026.