Glacier Bay in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Harsh season · VisitWhen score 52/100 · #7 of 12 months

November is a harsh-season month at Glacier Bay National Park: crowds run under 1% of the July peak (213 average visits). Weather: highs average 40°F and lows 34°F, with 12.3″ of precipitation and 7.8 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Glacier Bay in November: what the park service says

November at Glacier Bay is off-season, with limited services, cold short days and a maritime climate that keeps winter nights mostly between 25 and 40°F at sea level. To the northwest, Glacier Bay National Preserve is managed differently from the park, and hunting, trapping and commercial fishing are allowed there. Good rain gear is essential here in any month, the park says.

Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, NPS 3, checked 2026-11-05.

Crowds in November

Glacier Bay averages 213 recreation visits in November — under 1% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the third-quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 40°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 34°F). This is one of the wetter months (12.3″ of precipitation on average). Normal snowfall is 16″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 7.8 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station ELFIN COVE, AK US (42 mi from park coordinates, 20 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.

What to pack for Glacier Bay in November

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 34°F
• Rain shell + pack cover — 12.3″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 16″ normal snowfall (compare other options)
• Headlamp — only 7.8 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
• Insulated, waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 16″ of snow is normal this month
• Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Glacier Bay are April and May.

Also at their best in November

Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
• Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
• New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
• Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24