Drawing visitors from far and wide, a drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must-do in Glacier National Park. The spectacular 50-mile road winds over passes, crosses the Continental Divide and travels through incredibly varied terrain, including glacial lakes and jagged cliffs. Here are our tips for making the most of your trip down this legendary road.
- Plan ahead
First things first — before you start your journey to Going-to-the-Sun Road, you need to ensure you have the right passes. If you're driving from the west between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. during peak season (between May 24 and September 8 in 2024), you'll need both a park pass and a vehicle reservation. If you’re entering from St. Mary, which is located on the east side, then you only need to have a park pass.
Around half of the available reservations are released four months in advance and often go fast. If you don’t get one, the remaining “Next Day” passes are released nightly at 7 p.m. More info can be found on the National Park Service page.
Once you’ve got your pass, it’s important to pack and prep properly. Besides the odd water station, including one at Logan Pass, there are no services along the 33-mile stretch of road between Lake McDonald and the Rising Sun Motor Inn. Make sure to bring enough water and snacks for your day's adventures. A picnic at Logan Pass or one of the scenic turnouts is a great way to enjoy a midday break!
TIP: Didn't get a reservation? You can still drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. (a park pass is still required).
Photo: A mountain goat takes in the view at Logan Pass.
- Start early
It's no surprise that the Going-to-the-Sun Road can be very busy. The parking lot at Logan Pass is usually full between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. — expect road delays and potential difficulty finding parking. If you get moving bright and early, you'll not only beat traffic, but you'll increase your chances of seeing wildlife. Animals are often more active earlier in the day to avoid the midday heat.
Photo:View of a morning sunrise over St. Mary Lake taken from the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
- Know your route
While the Going-to-the-Sun Road is very safe and has proper barriers, more timid drivers may want to drive the road from east, beginning at St. Mary, to west. Most of the east-to-west route is spent driving next to rock walls rather than closer to the road’s edge. To complete a loop, you can drive from St. Mary to West Glacier along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and then travel along Highway 2 to Highway 89 to return to St. Mary.
Photo:Traveling down the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
- Stock up and fuel up
Traveling from the east, you can grab your morning coffee atTriple Divide Coffee Company or Curly Bear Café at St. Mary, fill up on gas and grab some snacks for the road at St. Mary Grocery Store and gas station. On the west side of the park, stock up on supplies atWest Glacier Villageand fuel up at West Glacier Gas Station.
Photo:Time to stock up for supplies, treats for the road and fuel at West Glacier Village.
- Prepare for changing weather
Glacier’s weather is often highly variable. Temperatures at Logan Pass are usually at least ten degrees cooler than those at low elevations. We recommend dressing in layers, bringing a hat to shield yourself from the sun and having a rain jacket handy in case the weather changes.
Photo: Conditions can change around any corner on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Come prepared!
- Allow extra time to take in the scenery
It's nearly impossible to traverse the Going-to-the-Sun Road without stopping multiple times to take in the sights and snap a photo or two. There are plenty of pull-outs located along the route so you can stretch your legs and strike a pose beneath some of the most iconic landmarks in the park.
Don't miss these unforgettable sights along the way:
- Heaven's Peak
- The Loop
- Bird Woman Falls
- Weeping Wall
- Jackson Glacier Overlook
- Wild Goose Island Overlook
Photo: Jackson Glacier peeks through a clearing at the overlook on Going-to-the-Sun Road’s east side.
