Going to the Sun Road Guide

You’ll find everything you need to know in this Going to the Sun Road Guide to have a wonderful trip. I’ll walk you through the current reservation system for Glacier National Park, plus additional tips for what to do if you can’t get a reservation to drive the road. You’ll also find a list of all the best hikes to do along this 51-mile section of the park. Most importantly, I’ll tell you all the best ‘must-see’ stops for photos along the entire Going to the Sun Road, as well as driving tips, and even the best places to see wildlife. As a local to the area, Glacier National Park has been one of my playgrounds for my whole life, so I’ll let you in on some of the local’s favorite spots to go and how to enjoy the park the most.

Driving Going to the Sun Road is a major highlight of any trip to Glacier National Park. You’ll see countless stunning vistas along the way, and may even be lucky enough to photograph wildlife right from your car.

Going To The Sun Road History

Going to the Sun Road is considered one of the most scenic drives in the USA, and it’s definitely something you’ll want to add to your bucket list. It takes you right through the heart of Glacier National Park, and the views are truly stunning. They completed this incredible road in 1933 after 2 decades of planning and construction. It wasn’t fully paved until 1952!

This scenic drive is very narrow at a few points with sheer drop-offs just on the other side of the guardrails. It’s definitely a challenge if you have a fear of heights, but it’s a beautiful and quite enjoyable drive for most. And if you’d prefer not to drive, you can always take the iconic red bus tours. They’re called the ‘reds’ and date back to the 1930s but have gone through a complete restoration in 2001.

The road was named after Going to the Sun Mountain which you can see from the end of the parking lot from Logan’s Pass. (You’ll also find a photo below.) This incredible drive has a short season every year because this area of the park can receive as much as 80 feet of snow!

However, all this majesty does come with some complications. Just check out the reviews on Trip Advisor and see all the unhappy people who have visited this area. I’ve lived here my whole life, so I can easily say the traffic has truly gotten insane.

So today I’m going to give you all the information you need to have the best trip possible. But also to give a realistic outlook of what it’s really like to visit Glacier National Park. #bringyourpatience

With all this in mind, let’s just dive in and get started with what you need to know!

Going to the Sun Road Guide for ‘must-see’ stops

Here’s a list of ‘must see’ stops as you drive up Going To The Sun Road. Some of these stops are best enjoyed in the hot summer months. So feel free to skip some if you’re visiting later in the Fall. To get the full experience you’ll want to start at the West Glacier entrance gate. Drive the road through to the St. Mary entrance gate, and then drive the road in reverse back to West Glacier.

You can do this all on a long summer day if you budget your time right. Also, keep in mind that you may want to hit some of the stops on the way back. If you have more time, it’s worth it to drive over to St. Mary to camp or stay overnight. Then head back to West Glacier the next day.

Since there are so many stops to see, I decided to make a Google map that goes with this list. It shows the route assuming you’re starting in West Glacier. All the ‘must see’ stops are shown on the map with purple icons. It also includes bathrooms and some fuel stations. Hopefully, this list and the map will help you to be more prepared for the drive.

1. Apgar Village – You can visit the gift shop, get some ice cream at Eddies Café, or rent a paddleboard here. There are plenty of things to do for everyone. (Bathrooms available.)
2. Lake McDonald Boat Dock View – A short walk from Apgar village, you can get the famous view from the dock of Lake McDonald. Or you can park right in front of it. (Bathrooms available just across the road nearby)
3. Beach and Swimming – If you’re visiting the park in the hot summer months, there are beaches around the lake for swimming.
4. Lake McDonald Lodge – Stop and see the historic lodge built in 1913! From here you can dine at one of the restaurants, take a boat tour of the lake. Or book a ride on one of the famous red bus tours. Be sure to go down to the boat dock for more stunning views. (Bathrooms available)
5. Sacred Dancing Cascade Waterfalls – After a short walk down to the footbridge that crosses McDonald Creek, you’ll get some great views. If you then hike just a little further upstream, you’ll see the waterfalls, which are especially stunning in the early summer months.
6. Avalanche Creek & the Trail of the Cedars – We usually park near the bathrooms and cross the road to the little trail that will connect you to the Trail of the Cedars. If you have extra time and are up for some more hiking, you can also hike into Avalanche Lake (5 miles roundtrip) from the same parking spot. (Pit toilets available)
7. Westside Tunnel – Just before The Loop there’s a small little pull-out with just a few spots to park. If you can get a spot, you can get some nice views of the valley below. Otherwise, you’ll get similar views at The Loop just a few minutes down the road.
8. The Loop – It got this name because the road makes a sharp hairpin curve here. This is probably one of the best places to get a photo of Heaven’s Peak which is easily seen to the southwest. After this point, the road begins to narrow and you’ll be driving close to the edge of the cliffs. This is usually where we fold in our truck side mirrors. This is also where you park if you want to hike up to Granite Park Chalet. (Pit toilets available)
9. Bird Woman Falls Overlook – at about mile 27 there are several pull-outs to view this falls at a very great distance. You’ll get some nice sweeping views of the mountains If you have a map, it’s to the right of Oberlin Mountain and to the left of Mount Cannon.
10. Haystack Creek Waterfalls – In July this waterfall can be flowing pretty well. It’s definitely worth a picture or two.
11. The Weeping Wall – This stop is also best in early July. You’ll know it when you drive by in the early season because the water comes down so hard you might want to roll up your windows! Later in the season, it’s more of a trickle depending on rainfall.
12. The Big Bend – this stop is located just below Haystack Butte. It has a very large pull-off with plenty of parking. This is an iconic view from the road, and you can see an image above with the red buses driving through. This is also a popular spot for sunset wedding photos. New bathrooms were added here in 2023.
13. Triple Arches – There are a couple of very small vehicle pull-offs up against the cliff as you’re driving up the road. If there’s not much traffic you can park there and get a good photo of the Triple Arches Bridge. This historic bridge was engineered and built with 3 stone arches to span the gap in the mountainside. The bridge was designed in 1927 and built by the Williams and Douglas construction firm of Tacoma, Washington.
14. Sunset Pull-off – This stop is one of my favorite places to get some good sunset photos. It’s a popular spot for wedding photos as well. There are a few parking spots available here. It’s located just under the Highline Trail which is also called the Garden Wall near the pass where you’ll often find snow into the middle weeks of July.
15. Oberlin Bend – Just after you drive over Oberlin Falls and just before Logan’s Pass there is a small parking area with a nice viewpoint. This is also one of the better places to see wildlife. There are often mountain goats and sheep in the area and occasionally you’ll see a grizzly bear. The third photo in this post with the Big Horn Sheep was taken from that pull-out right from the car!
16. Logan’s Pass – Of course, a ‘must see’ stop; but parking can be tricky. This is also where the Hidden Lake Trail and Highline Trail begin. At the end of the parking lot, you can see the iconic Going To The Sun Mountain. The parking lot normally fills by 7 am, but last year it was filling around 6 am on the weekends. Also be aware that whenever the parking lot gets too full, park rangers will close Logan’s Pass and you’ll be turned away until traffic quiets down again. Don’t worry though you can always catch it on your way back through.
17. The ‘Big Drift’ – where upwards of 80′ of snow can accumulate through the winter months.
18. Lunch Creek – a perfect spot to get out and stretch your legs and even have some lunch. It’s an aptly named spot where the creek comes pouring down at the base of Pollock Mountain. There’s a small unofficial trail leading up the creek for a few feet and some good views to be had. A very narrow climbers’ trail continues on from there and shouldn’t be attempted unless you have wilderness and climbing skills. We’ve helped 5 groups now who were lost come back down out of this area when we’ve been climbing. This area is not Siyeh Bend! You’ll know you’re at the right trailhead because there will be an official park sign with mileage etc.
19. East Side Tunnel – Another engineering feat of the Going To The Sun Road where those who were working on the road had to hand carry out all the rock they blasted to complete this tunnel!
20. Siyeh Bend – This stop is like The Loop on the other side where the road makes a long curve and heads in the other direction. This is a great place to stop for a break if desired. But sometimes there isn’t parking because it’s the trailhead for Siyeh Pass and the Piegan Pass hikes.
21. Jackson Glacier Overlook – This is the only place from the road to view a glacier. Many people are disappointed by how few glaciers there are left in Glacier National Park. You can hike to a few including Grinnell Glacier, but this is the only one you can see from the road. (Pit toilets available nearby.) If you’re looking for giant glacier views right from the road, try the Icefields Parkway Drive that runs from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
22. Sunrift Gorge – Just a few steps from the parking area you can see the gorge and waterfall. There’s also a network of trails that takes off here, the next pull-off for St. Mary’s Falls and Sun Point that can take you to see 3 separate waterfalls. You can read all about that hike with my Sun Point Nature Trail post.
23. Sun Point – There’s not much to see right from the car but there are pit toilets and picnic tables. Just a few minutes up a dirt trail, about 1/10 of a mile you’ll come to the very scenic Sun Point with gorgeous views of St. Mary Lake. It’s definitely worth the short walk if you can, and it’s family-friendly as well.
24. Wild Goose Island – Located on St. Mary’s Lake you will see the signs and it’s definitely worth a quick stop for a photo.
25. Rising Sun – On one side of the road you’ll find a large parking lot next to the lake where boat tours depart. On the other side, you’ll find the campground, general store, picnic tables, and the trailhead for Otokomi Lake. We usually head to the picnic area to relax by the lake and go for a swim.
26. Two Dog Flats – Just after you leave the shores of St. Mary’s Lake behind you’ll find yourself in a straight stretch of the road called Two Dog Flats. This area is known for wildlife sightings, especially bears in the early morning and late evening. Please be very careful to pull over, stay in your car, and enjoy them from a distance!
27. St. Mary’s Visitor Center – & the St. Mary town – you’ll find all sorts of information here as well as places to lodge and eat in the town. As you exit this portion of Going to the Sun Road you’ll leave the park for a bit. To the left, you head towards Babb and the Many Glacier region, and to the right, you’ll be heading towards Two Medicine and East Glacier. Or you can simply turn around and drive the 51 miles back to where you started. It’s a great way to see anything you missed, and the views are quite different from the opposite direction.

Driving Tips for Going to the Sun Road

Restrooms

There are numerous bathroom stops along the road, but the ones you’ll want to know about the most are between the Loop and not much else. You can find fuel stations at West Glacier, St. Mary, and East Glacier, as well as any towns on your route. There isn’t anywhere to get gas between West Glacier and St. Mary’s as you drive Going to the Sun Road.

Fuel

You’ll definitely want to fuel up your vehicle before driving Going To The Sun Road. The last thing you want to worry about as you drive up the mountain pass is whether or not you’ll have enough fuel. There are no fuel stations in the park. The closest fuel stations are located just outside the park in the town of West Glacier, and East Glacier. I usually fill up gas at Costco in Kalispell for the best price or at the Blue Moon

Food

There are a few options as you come into West Glacier, then again at the Lake McDonald Lodge. But after you leave the shores of Lake McDonald there aren’t any more options for food until St. Mary. There are numerous picnic areas along the way including, Apgar, Sprague Creek, Avalanche, Sun Point, & Rising Sun. These all have picnic tables available, but you can stop anywhere for a scenic snack in any number of pull-offs along the way.

Time

It takes 2 hours to drive the whole 51 miles without stopping or unforeseen traffic. You’ll probably need double that and then some to have an enjoyable drive with lots of stops for photos. I would give yourself at least 4 hours, or even more to truly enjoy the drive. Also bring all your patience, even with the ticket system it’s very busy. There are lots of pull-offs for views, but some will be unavailable as you come through. Pick what’s available and skip the rest if there isn’t any parking. You can always drive back through the other way later in the day.

You can see the van in front of us has stopped on the road rather than taking the next pull-off which results in delays for everyone else!

Photo Opportunities

Don’t stop on the road for photos! Only stop for wildlife or pedestrians crossing the road. This is a huge problem that holds up traffic and makes for a lot of grumpy people. Continue driving the speed limit when possible, and take photos only from the designated pull-offs. The road really is quite narrow and you may find there might be occasion to come to a complete stop, or slow way down if you’re passing with a larger vehicle in the oncoming lane. The narrowest parts of the road barely fit a truck. And so it’s sometimes necessary to go very slowly so both lanes can continue on without an accident. People have lost their bumpers, mirrors, etc. in trying to squeeze by someone else in the oncoming lane too quickly.

Vehicle restrictions

Any vehicle that exceeds 21′ long, 8′ wide, and 10′ in height isn’t allowed on the portion of Going to the Sun Road that begins after Avalanche Creek. The road is much too narrow for larger vehicles, and if you have a large truck, be prepared to drive very slowly in some sections. I’ve been up Going to the Sun Road in a 1 ton dually truck a few times and it’s never fun. The back tires will go over the line into the other lane at the narrowest points. And you may have to come to a complete stop to allow the oncoming traffic to pass before you can continue. Suffice it to say you’ll have the best time in a car with plenty of space!

What to do in Glacier National Park besides driving

Aside from driving this incredibly scenic road, there’s still plenty more to do in Glacier

• Boat Ride or rent a paddleboard/canoe at Lake McDonald
• Horseback rides
• Hiking, hiking, and more hiking!
• Climbing – (Glacier has its own classification system because of the fragile rock)
• Stop in the surrounding businesses and find a souvenir or something to eat.
• Visit the neighboring towns like Whitefish and Columbia Falls for a break from sightseeing, (lots of restaurants, shopping, ziplining, rafting, fishing, etc. available).
• Take a break from driving to have lunch or a picnic from any of the scenic pull-outs.

10 Best Hikes Beginning from Going to the Sun Road (West to East)

1. McDonald Creek Trail/John’s Lake Loop
2. Sperry Chalet or Mount Brown
3. Avalanche Lake & the Trail of the Cedars
4. Highline Trail with Granite Park Chalet exiting through the loop.
5. Hidden Lake Overlook
6. Siyeh Pass
7. Piegan Pass
8. St. Mary & Virginia Falls
9. Sun Point & Baring Falls – can be combined with #8
10. Otokomi Lake

As I mentioned at the beginning, we both have extensive experience enjoying Glacier National Park for decades. That being said, it’s very easy for us to see how much it’s changed in the last 10 years. You can expect crowds even with the reservation system, and you’ll need to bring your patience.

However, you can always find solitude even in the busiest of times if you look for it. The best way to enjoy the beauty of this park is to pick a hike and get further away from the main areas. The short trails are busy but not too crowded for the most part.

Glacier has a ton of longer trails that are 10+ miles, and this really does help to keep the crowds down. Of course, this does make for some longer days if you want to hike. But you can also find my Top 3 Short Hikes in Glacier National Park as well.

Weekends are typically more crowded than weekdays, but not by much. Traffic in Glacier seems to be pretty steady all the time. So our favorite pastime is climbing the mountains with climbing routes. There’s much less traffic of course, but it is a completely different skill set with plenty of risk involved due to the crumbling rock.

Our favorite times to enjoy this scenic drive are during the evening hours when the crowds die down a bit. The above photo was taken around 6 pm at St. Mary’s Lake last year. We found a large pull-out and had a picnic right in the truck overlooking the incredible views.

And finally, if the main purpose of your trip to Glacier National Park is to drive the incredible Going to the Sun Road, just make sure you give yourself plenty of time.

As mentioned above, drive up and over, then come back for all the spots you missed. Or start in West Glacier drive up and over Logan’s Pass take your time and maybe even choose one of the hikes listed above. Then stay on the St. Mary’s side for the night, and take your time enjoying the drive all the way back to West Glacier the next day. This really takes the intensity out of trying to see ‘everything’ on your first pass-through!

Finally, if you choose to visit in the quieter winter months, Going to the Sun Road is only open around Lake McDonald to the Lake McDonald Lodge. There are still a few things to do and see even with most of the park closed down. You’ll find all my best tips for the colder months with my guide to Winter in Glacier National Park.

I sure hope this has been helpful and that you have the best possible trip to Glacier National Park. You can find everything I’ve written about all the hikes in my Glacier National Park section. And for some tips for your trip, check out my Top 10 Tips for Glacier National Park.

Also, you can check out my Top 25 Hikes in Glacier National Park. They’re listed out by the region they’re in as well as a quick look at mileage and elevation so you can easily plan out your trip.