Going-to-the-Sun Road is renowned for its stunning views. Travel the entire length of the road to see the beauty of North Montana.
Overview
Going-to-the-Sun Road is a scenic mountain road in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States, located in Glacier National Park in the state of Montana. The road is about 50 miles in length and takes about 2 hours to drive without any stops.
While traveling along Going-to-the-Sun Road, the speed limit is 40 miles per hour in the lower elevations and only 25 miles per hour in the alpine section.
Traveling the length of the road is a great way to see the natural beauty of Glacier National Park. It’s known as one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country.
Going-to-the-Sun Road Plan
When traveling through Glacier National Park, the only way to get to most of the attractions and trails in the most popular section of the park is Going-to-the-Sun Road. While in the park, we knew we would be on the road every day. Our second day, though, we decided to drive the road in its entirety to see the whole stretch of the famous road.
Getting There
Location
Glacier National Park is in Northwest Montana along the Canadian and United States Border. Getting to the park takes some planning since it’s so far north in the country. If you are starting on the west side of the park through West Glacier, you are best to fly into Kalispell and stay near that area. Otherwise, on the east side of the park, the closest major airport is Great Falls International Airport which is about 150 miles from the park entrance.
Best Time to Go
If you want to drive Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road in your own private vehicle, you need to go from July through October. Before late June, the road will be blocked by snow and ice or road crews working to get the road plowed enough to travel. Portions of the road then close again around the second or third week of October, depending on the weather and road conditions.
During peak season, you’ll need to get a park pass to enter Glacier National Park. While traveling to the St. Mary Visitor Center at the far end of Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will pass through the east entrance station. All vehicular traffic is stopped here to check for a vehicle pass. Make sure you have it ready, and verify whether you need one for both entrances. When we went, it was one Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation no matter which entrance you came through. Check the park website for exact details about needing a separate reservation for each end before you pass the check station.
Glacier National Park Entrance Fees
Going into Glacier National Park will incur an entrance fee of $35 per private vehicle which is good for up to 7 days from the date of purchase. A motorcycle can get in for $30 and a pedestrian for $20 per person.
For those who live in the area and plan to visit throughout the year, Glacier offers an annual entrance pass for $70. Otherwise, if you are planning to go to multiple national parks in a year, the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 is the best deal.
Going-to-the-Sun Road Amenities
Food and Lodging
Food and Lodging are available along the road by stopping in Apgar Village, Lake McDonald Lodge, and Rising Sun. Five of Glacier’s campgrounds are along the road: Apgar Campground, Sprague Creek Campground, Avalanche Campground, Rising Sun Campground, and the St. Mary campgrounds.
Backpacking is also allowed in certain areas of the park as long as you get the proper wilderness camping permits.
Picnic Areas
There are picnic areas in Apgar, Sprague Creek, Avalanche Creek, and Rising Sun.
Fuel
Gasoline is not available anywhere in the park so make sure you have enough for the day before setting out. There is an electric vehicle charging station near the Lake McDonald Lodge camp store.
Wildlife Along the Road
Wildlife may be seen anywhere along the road including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and grizzly bears.
Traveling Going-to-the-Sun Road West to East
West Entrance
If you are starting on the west side of the park, come through the west entrance just past the park’s headquarters.
Glacier National Park entrance sign from the West Entrance
Apgar Village
The first main place you’ll come up to is Apgar Village. We always stop at the first visitor center when we visit a new national park. The visitor centers are a great place to talk to the ranger and get park information, learn about the trails in the area, ask about conditions in the park, visit the bookstore and gift shop, pick up a Junior Ranger book for kids in the group, and get your stamp for the Passport Book.
If you walk around the village center, there are a few small shops, gift stores, and unique places to check out. There are several trails and short walks that start near Apgar Village. Along the southern end of Lake McDonald, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to explore the lake or take a scenic boat ride.
Apgar Village is a great starting point for your Glacier National Park adventure, offering a mix of relaxation, recreation, and education in a beautiful setting.
Historic Apgar School in Apgar Village
Paved pathway in Apgar Village
Sprague Creek
Sprague Creek is a scenic area located within Glacier National Park in Montana, known for its picturesque campground and proximity to popular attractions. There is a campground and picnic area in the Sprague Creek turnoff from Going-to-the-Sun Road.
From Sprague Creek, you can hike on the Rocky Point Trail or the more challenging Mount Brown Lookout Trail. Backpackers can also take the trail to Sperry Chalet from the Sprague Creek area.
Lake McDonald
The next main place to stop along the road is the Lake McDonald Lodge area at the north end of Lake McDonald. Going-to-the-Sun Road spans the length of the 10-mile-long lake. The lodge itself was built to resemble an old hunting chalet surrounded by other historic buildings. Here you can find a camp store and multiple dining options.
Walk behind the historic lodge to take in the beautiful colors and scenery of Lake McDonald. The lake was once filled with massive glaciers that carved the valley thousands of years ago. Lake McDonald is nearly 500 deep in the middle and is the largest lake in the park.
There are many trails in the Lake McDonald area, but the ones accessible from the parking area of the lodge are Mt. Brown Lookout, Snyder Lake, and Sperry Chalet.
Lake McDonald
Lake McDonld is known for its colorful rocks
Lake McDonald Creek
Stephanie and Justin at Lake McDonald
Ryan playing by the lake
Pretty flowers by the lake
McDonald Falls Overlook
On the left side of the road, as you are leaving Lake McDonald Lodge, there will be a pullout for a small parking lot for the McDonald Falls Overlook. The falls are a cascade on McDonald Creek, creating a picturesque and tranquil setting. The water flows over rocks and through a forested area, making it a great spot for photography.
McDonald Falls
McDonald Falls
McDonald Falls Overlook
Sacred Dancing Cascade Overlook
Just up the road from the McDonald Falls Overlook is the turnout for the overlook to Sacred Dancing Cascades, another waterfall along McDonald Creek. This is a series of small waterfalls and rapids surrounded by lush greenery for a beautiful setting.
Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail
Trail of the Cedars is a great hike to start with in Glacier because it’s a short walk on a boardwalk, making it wheelchair accessible. It’s an easy walk through a forest of cedar trees with views of the large trees and small waterfalls along the way. The loop is shaded, so it’s a perfect escape from the summer heat. Parking fills up quickly during peak season, so make sure to get an early start on this trail.
Trail of the Cedars
Trail of the Cedars
Trail of the Cedars
Trail of the Cedars
Trail of the Cedars
Trail of the Cedars
The Loop
Going-to-the-Sun Road’s only switchback on the western side is at The Loop. This is a small rest stop area with a restroom and limited parking for those walking The Loop Trail that climbs 4.2 miles and 2,600 feet to get to the Granite Peak Chalet and the Highline Trail. From this point, Going-to-the-Sun Road becomes a narrow portion that’s carved into the mountainside.
Bird Woman Falls Overlook
Bird Woman Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Glacier National Park at 492 feet tall. It goes between Mount Oberlin and Mount Cannon. There’s a pullover along Going-to-the-Sun Road to get a view of the waterfall from the roadway. There are no trails that take you to Bird Woman Falls, so the best way to view it is from this overlook.
Ryan & Tyler at Bird Woman Falls Overlook
Bird Woman Falls
Bird Woman Falls Overlook
Weeping Wall
The Weeping Wall along Going-to-the-Sun Road is a wall covered in small waterfalls from water seeping through the face of the rock cascading down the side of the cliff. In the spring and summer, as the snow is melting from higher elevations, the water can create a stunning display.
Triple Arches
Triple Arches on Going-to-the-Sun Road
Big Bend
Just past the Triple Arches is the Big Bend in Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s a great place to stop and relax while taking in views of the Lake McDonald Valley and the peaks of Mount Canon, Oberlin, and Heaven’s Peak.
Continental Divide
While driving along Going-to-the-Sun Road you will cross the Continental Divide just before getting to Logan’s Pass. The divide is at 6,646 feet in elevation and is the dividing line where water flows either towards the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico or towards the Pacific Ocean.
Logan Pass Visitor Center & Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
On the day we drove all the way through Going-to-the-Sun Road, we stopped at Logan’s Pass on the way back from the St. Mary Entrance. The parking lot fills up very quickly so we had to drive around a few times before we were able to find a parking spot before heading out on the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail.
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
Hidden Lake Overlook
Siyeh Bend
Another bend in Going-to-the-Sun Road is at Siyeh Bend, just a little bit past the Logan’s Pass Visitor Center. At this point, the ecosystems transition from higher-elevation subalpine vegetation to the forests of the east side of the park. For those looking to hike, this is a popular place to start the Siyeh Pass and Piegan Pass Trails.
Jackson Glacier Overlook
If you want to see a glacier while driving along Going-to-the-Sun Road, make sure to stop at the Jackson Glacier Overlook parking area. This is the best view of a glacier from Going-to-the-Sun Road in the park. Jackson Glacier has drastically decreased in size from 316 acres in 1966 to only 187 acres in 2015.
The Gunsight Lake trail, which begins at the Jackson Glacier Overlook, will take you closer to the glacier.
Jackson Glacier
Stephanie, Tyler, Ryan, and Justin at Jackson Glacier Overlook
Jackson Glacier
Sunrift Gorge
A stop at Sunrift Gorge includes a chance to view the narrow and dramatic canyon that was carved by the Baring Creek which is fed from melt-off from the Sextion Glacier. From the parking area, you can start on trails that lead to a series of waterfalls including Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls.
Sun Point Nature Trail
The Sun Point Nature Trail parking area is one of the largest parking lots in Glacier National Park and offers a variety of options for the area. You can walk just 0.2 miles from the parking lot to Sun Point which is an overlook for St. Mary Lake. From there, hikers have the option to continue on to the same waterfalls you can access from other close areas: Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls.
Rising Sun
Rising Sun is known as where the “mountains meet the prairies”. This area offers many options for visitors such as day hikes, dining, boat tours, a general store, lodging, and camping. Rising Sun is on the eastern shore of St. Mary lake with views of the surrounding mountains and the iconic Wild Goose Island in the middle of the lake.
From Rising Sun, hikers can catch the trailhead for Sun Point Nature Trail, St. Mary Falls, Virginia Falls, and the Otokomi Lake Trail. Take a boat ride with Glacier Park Boat Company across the lake to the base of Baring Falls and back again.
Boat docked at Rising Sun
Wild Goose Island on Saint Mary Lake near Rising Sun
St. Mary Visitor Center
When traveling west to east on Going-to-the-Sun Road, the last place you’ll come to in Glacier National Park is the St. Mary Visitor Center and Village. In St. Mary, you can fill up with gas in the village, check out the visitor center and its astronomy talks, or visit the St. Mary Campgrounds.
St. Mary Visitor Center Ranger Program
Going-to-the-Sun Road Shuttle Service
The National Park Service offers a free shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road on a first-come, first-served basis. The shuttles are wheelchair accessible and don’t allow smoking, pets, open alcohol containers, or unsecured bear spray. Most of the shuttles have bike racks for those biking in the park.
Summer Shuttle Service
The shuttles begin on July 1st and operate through Labor Day every summer. Depending on weather and road conditions, the shuttles may run a limited schedule through mid-September.
Express Shuttles
Visitors can catch the express shuttle service which will take you from Apgar Visitor Center to Logan Pass Visitor Center or from St. Mary Visitor Center to Logan Pass Visitor Center and back again.
Full Shuttles
The full shuttle service operates every day from 8AM to 7PM and services all active stops along Going-to-the-Sun Road. There are a few places where visitors must switch buses if they are planning to go the length of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Most of these switches are due to the size of the bus and which sections of the road those buses can physically travel safely.
Fall Reduced Shuttles
In the fall, from Labor Day through mid-September, the shuttle doesn’t run as often and there is no option for an express shuttle.
Hiker-Biker Shuttle
The hiker-biker season is from May 11 until June 30th or when Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open, whichever is first. Those shuttles operate only on the weekends from 9AM to 4PM and only stop at a few places along the road. This shuttle service allows recreational access for hikers and bikers beyond the road closures for private vehicles.
Going-to-the-Sun Road Guided Tour
Within Glacier National Park, two authorized concessions offer guided tours along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Sun Tours offers bus tours with air-conditioned coaches with daily routes during peak season.
The famous Red Bus Tours offers a tour on a bus with a roll-back top to be able to look at the scenery above the bus as well as to the side of it. They have a fleet of 33 buses and are considered to be the oldest touring fleet of vehicles in the world.
Tips for Traveling Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Start early as many parking areas and trails fill up quickly.
- There is no fuel available along the route. Check your gas level before entering the park.
- Build in plenty of time to stop at overlooks and to walk along the many trails through Glacier National Park.