Insider Tips for Driving Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road

Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road takes you through some of North America’s most rugged and beautiful mountains for 50 miles. It stretches from the west entrance of Glacier National Park near Lake McDonald and Apgar Village, climbs over Logan Pass, and descends toward the east entrance near the St. Mary Visitor Center.

This road trip is an unforgettable adventure through Glacier National Park that everyone should take at least once. We’re here to help you plan the perfect trip and give you a comprehensive guide to driving Going-to-the-Sun Road!

Podcast Episode Overview

It’s time to drive one of the most epic roads in any national park – Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing our insider tips for this gem of a scenic drive.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road cuts right through Glacier as it travels deeper into the park’s majestic mountains! We’re talking all about our favorite viewpoints and activities along this drive, as well as insider tips and fascinating facts you’ll want to know before you go.

In this episode, we discuss:

Fascinating fun facts about this road
Helpful things you need to know if you are planning to drive this road
The stops and sights you don’t want to miss
Campgrounds and trails you’ll want to check out
Where you can see Bird Woman Falls in all its glory (John’s obsessed!)
The Red Bus Tour
Why everyone loves Logan Pass
The easiest way to see a glacier in Glacier
Hiking to St. Mary Falls
The phenomenal view that’s hard to find
The best places to get parking

We hope you enjoy driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road with us in spectacular Glacier National Park! Before you go, be sure to check if reservations are needed to enter this area of the park.

If you need a day-by-day plan for your trip and hope to avoid the crowds, or if you need help getting your reservations, pick up your Glacier Itinerary here.

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

Fun Facts about Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road

Fun Fact 1: Going-to-the-Sun Road wasn’t the original name

Going-to-the-Sun Road was officially named upon its completion in 1933, but a different name almost won out before that.

Because the road crosses the Continental Divide, the original name was going to be the “Transmountain Highway.” We think Going-to-the-Sun Road has a better ring to it!

Fun Fact 2: Going-to-the-Sun Road only has one switchback

Despite climbing 3,500 feet over 50 miles in some of the most rugged mountains in Montana, Going-to-the-Sun Road only has one switchback!

The entire road is an engineering marvel that transports millions of visitors to the best parts of Glacier National Park every year.

In 1924, Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, had to choose between two road plans. One plan included 15 switchbacks and was considerably cheaper to build. The other had only one switchback and better blended the road into the natural landscape.

In the end, the single switchback plan won, so when you visit Glacier today, you can still see the natural beauty of the mountains and reach heights previously unreachable by cars.

Fun Fact 3: Building Going-to-the-Sun Road wasn’t for the faint of heart

Dangling over dropoffs, building around waterfalls, and walking perilous ledges were just some of the hardships the builders of Going-to-the-Sun-Road faced. Some crews camped at the base of the mountains, so they had to hike 3,000 feet of elevation daily to get to their worksite.

One of the survey crews suffered from a 300% labor turnover during their three-month project!

Fun Fact 4: Going-to-the-Sun Road climbs at a 6% grade between The Loop and Logan Pass.

The Loop is the one switchback on Going-to-the-Sun Road, and Logan Pass is the highest point on the road. Designing the road to have a 6% grade was done on purpose.

In the 1920s, cars would have to shift into second gear on a 7% grade. The designer’s vision was for people to enjoy the road to its fullest, so the 6% grade ensured people could slow down and see the incredible views.

Fun Fact 5: All the structures built on the road were made using materials from local places

The original road designers used just one switchback and insisted that only locally sourced materials be used to build all structures along it to keep the scenic beauty intact.

Retaining walls, guardrails, and bridges were built using locally excavated materials. Builders also used minimal explosives to prevent damage as much as possible.

And it all paid off! The Going-to-the-Sun Road blends beautifully with its surroundings and adds to the park’s sense of place.

What to Know Before You Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road

You need to know a few things before you embark on your journey to Going-to-the-Sun-Road!

There are vehicle size restrictions on Going-to-the-Sun Road. The road was designed for cars in the 1920s, so there are some tight spots. Some places with rock overhangs and cliffs jut out right above your vehicle. Some lanes are barely big enough for two cars to be side-by-side.

As of 2024, vehicles longer than 21 feet, wider than 8 feet, and taller than 10 feet are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun.

Going-to-the-Sun Road has a very short open season and is not open year-round. You can drive some portions of the road through longer parts of the year. Typically, the full Going-to-the-Sun Road will open from early July through mid-October.

Don’t plan your trip for June if you’re looking forward to driving the whole Going-to-the-Sun Road. You can check the current road status on the National Park Service’s website. The summer months are the best time to visit Glacier to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road.

As of 2024, you need a vehicle entrance reservation to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road. You can find more information about this separate reservation on Glacier’s website.

Knowing which passes you need can get confusing, but we’re happy to help with one of our Glacier National Park itineraries. We can walk you through the process of getting all the right passes and reservations!

There are no gas stations on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Make sure you fill up in West Glacier or St. Mary!

Scenic Viewpoints and Popular Hikes Along Going-to-the-Sun Road

Stop 1 – Apgar Village

Let’s start on the west side of the park in Apgar Village. Apgar Village has some hotels, an ice cream shop, and restaurants. Canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals are also available. There’s a shuttle stop for you to hop on in this area. The Apgar Visitor Center makes up the heart of this hub near the west entrance.

Stop 2 – Lake McDonald Lodge

Your second stop will be Lake McDonald Lodge. Lake McDonald is a beautiful glacier-fed lake that’s really long. You’ll be driving along the lake for a good stretch of the beginning of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Lake McDonald Lodge has some restaurants and boat tours. The Sperry Chalet Trail takes off from this area, as do several other trails.

Stop 3 – Avalanche Lake

Avalanche Lake has some of the most popular hikes on this side of the park. Trail of the Cedars and the hike up to Avalanche Lake are incredibly beautiful and should be on your Glacier bucket list.

Avalanche Lake will be your first taste of stunning mountain views and waterfalls cascading down. Avalanche Creek has waterfalls and dazzling blue water that will take your breath away.

Stop 4 – The Loop

To us, the Loop feels like the unofficial beginning of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You’ll get your first view of the mountains and feel the cooler mountain air without having to leave your car. There is a parking area here, so you can stop and fully take in the mountains.

Stop 5 – Bird Woman Falls

Bird Woman Falls is visible from several pullouts between The Loop and the Weeping Wall. This waterfall comes pouring out of the high peaks of Glacier across the park and descends 500 feet. It’s John’s favorite part of Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Stop 6 – The Weeping Wall

The Weeping Wall is a waterfall that comes right over the road. It dries up as the summer months go on, so the earlier you can drive Going-to-the-Sun-Road, the better. If the Weeping Wall is flowing hard enough, you can drive under it and give your car a bath or play a prank on your family :)

Stop 7 – Big Bend

Big Bend is the next stop on your journey across the mountains. This stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road curves back into the mountain and has a waterfall early in the season. It also has new bathrooms, making it the perfect place for a scenic pit stop. After taking off from Big Bend, you can see Triple Arches that hold up the road and let water flow underneath.

Stop 8 – Logan Pass

Logan Pass is the high point of Going-to-the-Sun Road at 6,646 feet and is the most popular stopping point in the park. It’s the hub for some of the best trails that get you into the high country among the alpine landscapes. The Highline Trail starts at Logan Pass and is the most iconic hike in Glacier National Park. It has spectacular views of the Going-to-the-Sun road and valley. Hidden Lake Overlook Trail also starts here and has similar iconic views.

We almost always see Bighorn Sheep or Mountain Goats. There are also bears in this area! Wildflowers bloom in the summer across Logan Pass.

The Logan Pass parking lot is highly competitive. I have a YouTube video diving into everything you need to know about Logan Pass and finding a parking spot there!

Stop 9 – Siyeh Bend

Heading down the mountain toward East Glacier, your next stop will be Siyeh Bend. Piegan Pass and Siyeh Pass are two amazing hikes that take off from Siyeh Bend. This stop tends to be quieter.

Stop 10 – Jackson Glacier Overlook

Jackson Glacier Overlook is the place to see a glacier in Glacier. When Logan Pass is closed, Going-to-the-Sun Road is often still open from St. Mary to Jackson Glacier Overlook. We will stay on the park’s east side if the entire road isn’t open yet because you get big mountain views everywhere you go.

Stop 11 – St. Mary Falls Trailhead

St. Mary Falls Trailhead is a hard parking lot to find a spot in, but if you’re lucky enough to get one, this is a wonderful hike to see waterfalls up close and feel the spray. St. Mary Falls is a gorgeous glacier-blue waterfall. Hiking a little further, you’ll see Virginia Falls, which you can get drenched by if you’re feeling the heat.

Stop 12 – Sunrift Gorge

Sunrift Gorge isn’t one of our favorite stops, but you can park here to hike to Baring Falls. The descent to the waterfall is steep because you’re above St. Mary Lake, and the waterfall is down near the lakeshore.

Stop 13 – Sun Point

Sun Point is a much better stop, in our opinion. We’ll park here and hike to Baring Falls instead of Sunrift Gorge. It’s easier to get parking here than it is at Sunrift Gorge. There’s also more to do here; we’ve seen bears frequently in this area. We once saw a baby bear climb down from a tree!

Sun Point Overlook could be a better-marked spot, but it is one of the most scenic overlooks in the park. At Sun Point, you’re standing above St. Mary Lake with 360-degree views of the lake and mountains!

From this trail, you can connect to Baring Falls. If you’re up for a longer hike, it also leads to St. Mary Falls. We like catching the shuttle back to the St. Mary Falls trailhead from here.

Stop 14 – Wild Goose Island

Wild Goose Island is another iconic spot in Glacier that you might know from Forrest Gump or The Shining. Even if you don’t care about what movies it’s been in, Wild Goose Island is a beautiful overlook.

Stop 15 – Rising Sun

Rising Sun is another stop with restaurants, gift shops, bathrooms, lodging, and a campground. If you want to see a bear, camp at Rising Sun. There are always bears here!

Some boat tours leave from this area, but we recommend the Two Medicine or Many Glacier boat tours over the St. Mary boat tour.

Stop 16 – St. Mary

St. Mary is the last stop on Going-to-the-Sun Road! The St. Mary campground has gorgeous views, and the St. Mary Visitor Center is here. We love staying on the east side of the park, but things tend to be more expensive, and amenities are scarcer than on the west side. We think trading out amenities is worth it for the views and wildlife.

Other stops and planning your trip

We also want to give a shout-out to Many Glacier! It’s not on Going-to-the-Sun Road, but it’s located on the park’s east side and has some of Glacier’s best hikes and views. Catch Episode 22: Exploring Glacier for details about Many Glacier.

Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road can take a full day, so take your time and enjoy the journey. We’re excited for you to have the best time! Check out our Glacier National Park itinerary to make sure you have the best time on this famous scenic road.

Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and tell us which stop along the Going-to-the-Sun Road is your favorite or which one you are most looking forward to!

Links mentioned in this podcast episode:

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Insider Tips for Driving Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road