Weather out west depends on elevation. Anytime you’re riding over 8000 feet elevation, it can change drastically from lower elevation. If you don’t like riding in the 30’s to low forties, probably don’t ride higher elevations before mid June and after August. In September, you can have nice weather one day and raw, wet weather next day with icy patches high up. I wouldn’t let it stop me, just bring gear for different weather conditions.

 

If you're planning a trip to Glacier or Yellowstone the best information you can get will be from their web sites. Road construction, Facility closures, opening and closing dates may be posted. Check to see if you need a reservation to travel Going to the Sun Road.

This is the Glacier site.
Directions, Transportation, & Road Conditions - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)




Also check the state Highway sites to see if you want to alter your route because of construction or chip sealing.

Here's another site to check Smoke forecast, I've been to Glacier when the valley's were full of smoke. Smoke Forecast - FireSmoke.ca

Yellowstone Site Index - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Much of Yellowstone doesn't open until June 1.

Beartooth Highway | Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) (mt.gov)

 

check info for opening on the sun road, last year or the year before it didnt open until july due to snow pack. same info for beartooth except they seem to have a better opening schedule

 

Just to give you an idea of the high country out west,I took this through the windshield pic in July at Crater Lake some years back at somewhere around 6500-7000 ft.

 

I have seen road-to-the-sun open up as late as mid June…

but you do want to go…

The West side…

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Heading up to the saddle (Logan Pass) on the east side…


… The view looking northwest from the top of the saddle…

 

Damn that’s beautiful! I can't wait.

 

If I can make a suggestion… Start in either West glacier or St. Mary’s and drive right across the park… turn around before you get to the gate and ride back… It’s a completely different view of course… And take an entire day to do it… and pack a lunch…

… Even if the parking lot at the top of the pass says it’s full… There’s always room for motorcycles…

 

Our trip in July is the Beartooth, then up to Browning Mt. for the Going to the Sun road. If you enter GNP from the East NO reservations are required, If you enter from the west side reservations are required if you enter the park after 6:00 am.
Excellent idea to ride West bound then turn around and go back East.....We'll have to think about doing that, spend two nights in Browning, then turn around and ride it again...We have friends in Whitefish we're going to visit.
If you're going to Credit card camp, better make your reservations now.

 

i think they changed the rules this year so you dont need a special reservation to get in the east entrance (believe its still required on the west side), id check before i rode out the west entrance only to find myself not able re-enter and have to ride all the way around the park