Going-To-The-Sun Road: Drive Along One Of America's Most Scenic Highways In Glacier National Park
By Sarah McCosham|Published March 15, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
One of the very best ways to embrace your wanderlust is to venture out on a good, old-fashioned road trip. The U.S. is full of scenic byways and backcountry roads that will show you some of America’s most swoon-worthy natural wonders, and of these routes, there’s one in Montana with a name that truly captures its splendor: Going-to-the-Sun Road. This trans-mountain highway is 50 miles of pure Montana majesty, carved out of the earth and mountains of Glacier National Park. And while Glacier is certainly one of the most wondrous national parks in the country, Going-to-the-Sun Road takes the experience to another level entirely and truly is one of the best scenic drives in the USA.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is a scenic mountain pass located in the Rocky Mountains of Montana's Glacier National Park.
The road is 50 miles long; full of twists and turns, peaks and valleys.
Planning for Going-to-the-Sun Road, originally dubbed "Transmountain Highway" began in 1921, and this project was one of the first collaborations between the National Parks Service and the Bureau of Public Roads.
Designed to blend in seamlessly with its striking surroundings, all of the road's bridges, retaining walls, and guardrails were constructed using native materials. Going-to-the-Sun Road was - and still is - considered to be a triumph of modern engineering.
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Going-to-the-Sun Road is located in the heart of Glacier National Park and is the only road that actually traverses through it.
This is not unintentional. Glacier National Park, established in 1910, originally had no trans-mountain road, so this project was approached with extreme care and caution. The surveying, planning, and construction took over 12 years from start to finish.
This scenic route is listed on the National Historic Landmark and National Register of Historic Places, and it's truly an experience for any outdoor enthusiast's bucket list.
The road is long and winding, so navigating it requires complete concentration, which can make it difficult to take in all the glorious views.
Instead of driving, explorers can opt to take a Red Bus Tour. These iconic 1930s-era buses are a fun and memorable way to sit back and experience the splendor of the road and its surroundings.
Without stopping, it takes at least two hours to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road in its entirety. But stopping is truly a key part of the experience.
There are myriad places along this route to stop and get up-close with nature, and with over 700 miles of trails within Glacier National Park, many provide prime day hike opportunities.
This 5.3-mile trek begins at the west side of the Logan Pass Visitor Center and offers unparalleled views of Glacier's pristine forests, iconic alpine meadows, majestic mountains, and spectacular lakes. It's really a tour de force of Glacier National Park.
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Overnight opportunities abound in Glacier National Park, too.
Glacier is home to more than 700 lakes, though only 131 have names. Many of these bodies of water exceed 10 acres in size, which is incredibly rare for mountain lakes.
Lake McDonald the perhaps the most resplendent in the entire park.
At 10 miles long and 500 feet deep, Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier and is surrounded by mountain vistas that will leave you completely awestruck.
Lake McDonald is also known for the colorful pebbles along its bottom and shores.
The rocks range in color from deep reds and purples to emerald greens and bright blues. The rocks' kaleidoscopic hues are the result of chemical reactions caused by the presence or absence of iron. Chemistry class aside, this lake feels like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
If you'd like to stop and marvel at this magnificent mountain lake, consider booking a stay at the historic Lake McDonald Lodge.
The lodge was built in 1913, so it actually predates Going-to-the-Sun Road. This charming, chalet-style accommodation is a designated National Historic Landmark, and staying here is an unforgettable experience. (You can also pick up a Red Bus Tour right outside the lodge!)
Further down the pass, you'll find the Trail of the Cedars, one of the most magical and accessible hikes in Glacier National Park.
One of two wheelchair-accessible trails in Glacier, this one-mile trail winds through an old-growth forest with cedar trees towering over 80 feet tall. The boardwalk-style trail is paved and accessible from the road, making it a superb stop as you're traversing Going-to-the-Sun.
Also located along the route, Bird Woman Falls is a magnificent, 560-foot waterfall that's visible right from the road.
One of the largest waterfalls in Glacier National Park, Bird Woman Falls can be seen from a distance of two miles along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The falls flow is strongest in late spring and early summer.
Another splendid gem along Sun Road is The Garden Wall.
The Garden Wall is a steep alpine ridge located on the west side of a rock spine wall that separates the two regions in Glacier Natural Park, known as the Continental Divide.
The Garden Wall is also covered with dozens of species of wildflowers, plants, and shrubs.
In the spring, it comes alive with color. This area can be explored via the Highline Trail, a 12-mile trek that feels like something out of The Sound of Music.
As you continue traveling down Going-to-the-Sun Road, you'll find Mount Jackson - one of the tallest summits in Glacier.
This peak is also home to Jackson Glacier, one of the 25 remaining glaciers in this aptly-named national park. It's the seventh-largest in the park, and this wonder is visible from the road.
You can also view Jackson Glacier from St. Mary Lake.
The second-largest lake in Glacier National Park, St. Mary Lake runs parallel with Going-To-The-Sun Road. The wildlife viewing here is incredible and depending on when you visit, you can see elk, mule deer, grizzly bears, and black bears roaming free.
And if it's starry skies you're seeking, Glacier National Park offers some of the very best stargazing in the country.
In fact, Glacier is a designated International Dark Sky Park. Its remote and undeveloped location makes for spectacular stargazing conditions. On a clear night, you can look deep into the Milky Way, and possibly even see the International Space Station as it passes overhead.
While all of Glacier National Park deserves a visit, Going-to-the-Sun Road is a destination in and of itself.
It's considered of the most beautiful drives in the U.S., giving new meaning to the idea of "taking the scenic route."
Mother Nature is calling your name, and this scenic route is a soul-satisfying journey to some of the most beautiful places in the world. Visit the National Parks Service website to plan your trip along Going-to-the-Sun Road and Glacier National Park.
General Information:
Accessibility: This beautiful route through Glacier National Park is open to most vehicles, assuming they abide by the vehicle restriction guidelines (see below), so it’s possible to enjoy the views from the comfort of your own car. As many of the park facilities were constructed before the Architectural Barriers Act, Accessibility Standards, not all areas are wheelchair-accessible; however, newer and remodeled areas have integrated barrier-free designs. For detailed information about which parts of the park are accessible to all, refer to the NPS Accessibility Guide.
Pet Friendly: Going-to-the-Sun Road and Glacier National Park are both pet-friendly. Pets are allowed in developed areas such as cars while driving park roads, front-country campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas, and in boats on lakes where motorized watercraft are permitted. Please note, however, that pets are not permitted on trails, along lakeshores outside of developed locations, in the backcountry, or in any building. Read more about Glacier National Park’s pet policy on the National Parks Service (NPS) website.
Vehicle Restrictions: Vehicles and vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet (including bumpers) or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited between Avalanche Campground and the Rising Sun Picnic Area parking. Vehicle and vehicle combinations over 10 feet in height may have difficulty driving west from Logan Pass to the Loop, due to rock overhangs. Stock trucks and trailers are able to access Packers Roost on the west, and Siyeh Bend on the east.
Parking: There are plenty of places to park in Glacier National Park, and you can view parking lot availability via the Recreation Access Display on the NPS website.
Seasonal Access: Portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road remain open all year and provide access to many locations and activities. The opening of the alpine portion varies, based on snowfall and plowing progress. Typically the road is fully open by late June or early July, and remains open until the third Monday of October – but that can change due to weather conditions at any point. Please note that the speed limit varies along this road, and it’s important to adhere to all signs and speed limits, as animals, pedestrians, and cyclists do cross the road.
Cost: There is no toll or fee to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road. At Glacier National Park, there is a $35/vehicle entrance fee. Visitors can enter the park at any time; if the entrance station is not staffed, a self-registration area is available for purchasing a permit.
