Driving from Banff to Bozeman in April. Should I visit GNP?

Question

So, I've got a roadtrip planned for next April and will be driving from Banff, down through Bozeman and on to yellowstone (I think my son will really like Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman so want to visit there)... My question is, should I take the shorter route down the 89 to the east of Glacier (maybe staying somewhere on the way) or should I take the longer route and overnight in Kalispell to visit part of Glacier from the west side? We'll have just spent a week or so around Banff/Lake louise so my 8yr old might be all mountained out... At the same time I'm reluctant to miss out on a cool National Park (even if it has limited access due to snow closures) Thanks in advance.

Answer

Driving from Banff to Bozeman in April is a beautiful route, but snow and seasonal closures in Glacier National Park (GNP) are important considerations. Most of the park’s higher elevation roads, including the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, remain closed until late May or early June, depending on snowpack and weather conditions. This limits access to many of the iconic viewpoints from the west side during April.

Given that your 8-year-old might already have seen plenty of mountain scenery in Banff and Lake Louise, your decision may hinge on whether you want a quick stop in Glacier for a snow-dusted landscape or a longer detour to explore more fully later in the season.

Option 1: Shorter Route via US-89 (East of Glacier): This is the more direct route to Bozeman. Along the way, you can stop in small towns like Browning or Choteau for a brief break. From the east side, you can get glimpses of Glacier and the surrounding mountains without committing to a full day, which might be ideal if your son prefers less mountain time and you want to keep driving time manageable.
Option 2: Longer Route via Kalispell (West Side of Glacier): Staying in Kalispell allows you to visit the west entrance to Glacier National Park. Even though many roads are closed, you can still explore accessible areas like the Apgar Visitor Center and Lake McDonald. If you stay overnight, you also have the option to explore nearby Flathead Lake or small towns like Whitefish. This route gives a more immersive Glacier experience but adds extra driving time and may not offer fully open roads in April.

Other considerations:

April weather in Montana and northern Montana highways can be unpredictable. Snow or ice on secondary roads may slow your travel.
If your son enjoys history and paleontology, visiting the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman might be a bigger highlight than partial access to Glacier, especially if mountain scenery is already covered in Banff.
Stopping in small towns like Kalispell or along the Flathead Valley can break up the drive and provide accessible scenery without requiring mountain hiking or long walks in potentially snowy areas.

In summary, if your goal is to see Glacier in a quick, low-stress way and maximize time in Bozeman and Yellowstone, the east-side route on US-89 is likely the most practical. If you are willing to add extra driving for a chance to experience the west side of Glacier and nearby towns, the Kalispell route provides a more traditional National Park experience, even if much of the park is still closed in April.