Here in Kalispell and northwest Montana, we have one airport – Glacier Park International Airport (airport code: FCA). As you can imagine, it stays hopping year-round and is especially busy during the summer season. But as with all things that get a lot of traffic and wear and tear, sometimes they need a little loving…and Glacier Park International Airport is no exception. 

In July 2026, the airport’s runways will be closed from Monday evenings through Friday mornings for four consecutive weeks to allow for a major rehabilitation project. What does this mean if you’re planning to visit in July? Well, we’ll tell you. 

We’re answering the most frequently asked questions below.

  1. What are the closure dates and times? Closure dates: July 6-31, 2026 
    Closure times: The airport’s runways are anticipated to be closed Mondays from 6 p.m. through Fridays at 10 a.m. And while the runways will be closed during those timeframes, they will be welcoming aircraft takeoffs and landings starting Friday late mornings through Monday afternoons, with 60% of all flights still taking place during this timeframe. 
    What this means in the simplest terms: you can STILL fly into Kalispell Fridays-Mondays during the month of July. 
    Specific closure dates: July 6-10, July 13-17, July 20-24, July 27-31
    *One note: when booking flights, airline flight schedules will reflect these closure dates. 
    More information here. 
  2. Are more airport runway closures expected throughout the year? Nope. This runway repaving project will take place over four weeks in July and passengers will be able to fly into and out of Kalispell and Glacier Park International Airport year-round. 
  3. Who picked July? It’s the best time to visit Kalispell and Glacier National Park. We know and we feel your pain. July is the busiest month of the year for visitors, and while the timing isn’t ideal, it is the most favorable month for the construction activities reducing the potential for unplanned extended closures. Based on two decades of weather data, July offers the most consistent dry conditions and nighttime temperatures above 50 degrees F. 
  4. How will this impact my trip? For starters, it’s going to be tricky to book a last-minute flight to Kalispell for July 2026. The airport and its runways will still be open Friday afternoons through Monday evenings, but we anticipate many visitors to be trying to get in and out of Montana during that timeframe. Our best advice: if you’re flying to northwest Montana, book your trip as early as you can. 
  5. Should I just cancel my Montana trip? Heck no. While July is our busiest time of year in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley, we like to think of this as a prime opportunity to experience our backyard during a different time of year. If you’re into rushing waters, cherry blossoms and biking the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, plan your visit for May and June. Or if you can, consider bumping your July trip to August, September or early October. Better yet? Plan to make July 2026 the year you take an epic road trip to Kalispell, Montana. 
  6. Are there airports nearby? In Montana, the term “nearby” is relative. So in Montana terms, yes there is an airport nearby – two actually. If you would like to visit in July and driving isn’t an option, we recommend flying into the Missoula Montana Airport (about 2 hours south) or Great Falls International Airport (about 4 hours southeast). 

    If you fly into Missoula, here’s an itinerary to make your trip as easy as possible. And if you opt to fly into Great Falls, you can enter Glacier National Park from the park’s east entrance at St. Mary (no timed vehicle reservation is needed) and drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, exiting at West Glacier and ending your road trip in Kalispell. To help plan your road trip from Great Falls, check out this itinerary. 
  7. I don’t want to drive. How else can I get to Kalispell? If you don’t want to drive and can’t fly into Kalispell or the other nearby airports, there is another option: meet Amtrak’s Empire Builder. It connects Chicago and Seattle/Portland and travels through the state’s northern tier. Amtrak stops just north of Kalispell in Whitefish, with car rentals available. 
  8. Is 2026 still a good time to visit Montana; it seems like it could be complicated? We totally get where you’re coming from. While the airport runway closures make it a little trickier than normal to get to Kalispell, Glacier National Park and northwest Montana in July 2026, we assure you it’s still a good time to visit! 

    2026 is also the 250th anniversary of the U.S., and we like to think there is no better place to honor America than in a place as wild, free and welcoming as Montana. As you plan your 2026 vacation, we invite you to visit Kalispell, set sail on Flathead Lake, hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, go on a horseback trail ride in Glacier National Park and stroll our downtown. Find heaps of travel inspiration at www.discoverkalispell.com. 

    Learn more: https://iflyglacier.com/runway-rehabilitation/
Glacier Park International Airport new terminal interior with vaulted ceiling and skylights

Glacier Park International Airport main entrance in the evening

RESOURCES
Recreate Responsibly
Things To Do Outside Glacier National Park

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