Your guide to Going-to-the-Sun Road - tips & best stops!
Carved out of slopes of the Rocky Mountains over 100 years ago, Going-to-the-Sun Road is a main centerpiece of Glacier National Park, and provides some of the most spectacular views and moments you can experience in any national park! There are plenty of stops along it, but with the popularity and length of the route, it can be a little overwhelming when planning! Here's a look at our picks of must-see stops, plus a few other tips along the way!
What you should know before you start
With the high elevations of Glacier being covered in snow for much of the year, the majority of the park is only accessible for a few months per year. This includes Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 48-mile long masterpiece which traverses the park and crosses the Continental Divide. We find that it's easier to access the park from the west entrance, where there are also a number of small towns to make your base. Perfect if you don't fancy camping in the park, or staying in one of the park lodges, which are both competitive & expensive. Columbia Falls was perfect for us when we visited!
Going-to-the-Sun Road starts just after West Glacier, and stretches to St Mary in the east. There are a few different ways to enjoy it. You can drive yourself which allows you to take your time and stop at the many stunning overlooks. An alternative is to use to park shuttle system. This was upgraded in 2026, and a new programme was introduced which has limited parking at Logan Pass, the highest point of the road and a main hub, to just 3 hours. While this initiative is great at increasing traffic and visitor turnover, it limits your ability to enjoy one of the best parts of the park, and the hikes on offer from there. You could also go on a scenic red bus tour, in historic vehicles which are open air, perfect on sunny days. Therefore it depends a little on what your main hopes for the day are, especially if you only have one available!
We choose to enjoy the day in our own vehicle. By starting nice and early, aiming to get into the park by 5am in the summer, you should be able to get ahead of some of the crowds utilising the shuttles. Even better though, is getting to enjoy Going-to-the-Sun Road as the sun rises. This was one of our most memorable national park moments that we have experienced to date, when we were also blessed by fantastically clear skies. Unfortunately, this can be a bit of a rarity in this part of the country during the summer months with the risk of wildfires in both the Pacific Northwest, and western Canada.
Our top tips
Dress warm and with layers! There is just over 3500 ft / 1000m elevation gain from the lowest point at Lake McDonald to the highest point at Logan Pass. This means that even during summer, there is plenty of temperature variation along the route. Logan Pass is usually 15-20F colder than West Glacier. Plus with the road looping and curving around some of the parks major peaks, the early and latest hours of daylight often have many parts of the road and viewpoints in the shade. A bit of extra chill!
Start early! Being one of the most famous and iconic national parks in the US, the number of visitors is compounded by the fact that the park is only truly accessible for about 1/3 of the year. The main two hubs of the park are Many Glacier, and the corridor of Going-to-the-Sun road. Therefore, to get the best parking, quieter trails, and quieter overloks, we recommend entering the park about an hour before sunrise. These quieter moments, and the beauty revealed by the daylight whilst you are well within the park, provides a truly special feeling.
Fill up on gas! At nearly 50 miles each way, and lots of elevation change, make sure to have plenty of gas in the tank before entering the park as there are no opportunities within the park to get more. The towns of West Glacier & Saint Mary at either end of the road have gas pumps, but if you are starting early as we advise, make sure you have filled up the day before to keep your day stress free!
Bring lunch, snacks and trail mix! There are relatively few food options in the park. Most options are found in West Glacier, but there is also Two Dog Flats restaurant near St Mary Lake. That means there's a lot of driving, hiking and exploring in between the two! Make sure to grab some lunch the evening before or on the drive into the park, and we always love to make a trail mix which is perfect on hikes but also a tasty snack later in the day - if you've got any left! And always remember to leave no trace! Important no matter what national park you visit, make sure to take home everything you take in, to protect both the appearance of the park but to stop the wildlife from becoming familiar to humans and our food.
Stop 1 - West Glacier Entrance Sign
Just before the start of the road, there's a turnout just after the bridge over the Middle Fork of the Flathead River where you can find the park entrance sign.
If you start your drive early as we suggest, it will probably be too dark to get a good picture, but you can always stop on your way back later in the day!
Stop 2 - Lake McDonald
The largest lake in Glacier, you will follow it along for 10 miles, weaving next to forest before you start to climb. There are multiple turnouts along its course, or you can view it from Apgar, right at the official start of Going-to-the-Sun road.
Depending on the time you enter the park, again it may be too dark for good views, but you may get a fanstatsic glow in the blue hour just before sunrise. Therefore whether you stop here is up to you, but again we'd suggest doing so on the way back so you can reach the upper parts of the road in good time.
Stop 3 - McDonald Creek
At the end of Lake McDonald is one of the main rivers that feeds it. McDonald Creek can be seen from plenty of different points along this section, including McDonald Falls and Sacred Dancing Cascade.
Just like along Lake McDonald, the turnouts beside the creek are also all on the left side of the road, making it easier to stop on the way back too.
As you move away from the river, you'll pass the Avalanche Creek area. You can stop here for Trail of the Cedars, or Avalanche Lake, a modest hike to an impressive amphitheatre of mountains surrounding a lake with multiple thin, plunging waterfalls from snowmelt.
Extra Option - Red Rocks
Just after the Avalanche Creek area is Red Rock Point, a section of McDonald Creek that is a popular recreation spot. Feel the brisk water when stepping onto these more colourful rocks. We didn't stop here as the parking area was busy during the daytime, and it is not too dissimilar to the other turnouts along McDonald Creek.
Stop 4 - The Loop
A few miles after Red Rocks, the road will gently turn 90 degrees to the left, and then quickly starts to climb giving you the first glimpses of this amazing road cut into the mountain side. You'll pass through the west tunnel, the first of two on Going-to-the-Sun road which were amongst the biggest challenges in constructing this road.
You'll soon-after take the hairpin turn of The Loop, with sweeping panoramic views of Heavens & Longfellows Peaks. You will often hear The Loop mentioned as it is the park shuttle pickup point for those who complete The Highline - one of Glacier's most famous trails that descends from Logan Pass. Just after The Loop are plenty of turnouts on the right side of the road for more stunning panoramas.
Stop 5 - Bird Woman Falls Overlook
At many points along this section, you can see Bird Woman Falls, one of the tallest in Glacier, falling 492ft. It has it's own proper overlook, but you can view it from a few preceeding turnouts too. These are slightly more forested, but also often quieter.
Shortly after, the road becomes more narrow and twisted. Cut tightly against the mountain wall, it is one of our favourite segments of the road. As you look ahead, you will get to see many of the coming icons and stops. You'll also pass the Weeping Wall, where water pours directly onto the road from the cliffs above, especially during early summer. It's like driving right next to a waterfall!
Stop 6 - Big Bend
Almost immediately after the Weeping Wall is one of our favourite views on the whole road, Big Bend. Especially good at sunset, this western facing viewpoint captures the light amazingly as the shadows of the surrounding mountains lengthen, especially against Mount Oberlin.
At sunrise, the view is still great but not initially quite as impressive. But once the sun rises above the mountains behind you and starts to shine on those mountains ahead of you, it is truly fantastic!
Stop 7 - Oberlin Bend
Getting closer to Mt Oberlin, this is the last stop and final bend before reaching the summit of Going-to-the-Sun road and the Continental Divide.
Seen in the distance in this picture, it has a small boardwalk to its overlook, where you can spot the tiny distant hikers starting The Highline, a trail which famously runs above Going-to-the-Sun road.
It is not uncommon to see bighorn sheep or mountain goats here at these high elevations, so keep your eyes peeled!
Stop 8 - Logan Pass
The summit of the drive is just a few hundred metres from Oberlin Bend. It has a relatively large parking lot, but even this fills up extremely early, hence why it is key to get an early start and to drive up before, or during, sunrise.
From 2026, the National Park Service have trialled a new timed parking system for Logan Pass. Once you find a space, you need to get a parking permit from the kiosk, which gives you a maximum three hour stay.
This limits your options slightly, and is another reason why completing The Highline now requires the park shuttle.
With the available three hours, we think it's best to hike to Hidden Lake Overlook. This relatively short trail is predominantly along boardwalk over snowfields, and takes you to Bearhat Mountain with the lake sat calmly below. Afterwards, you can spend time at the Logan Pass visitor centre, or do the first 1/4 mile or so of The Highline, including its intimidating but thrilling Garden Wall section with a sheer drop beside you. Just take into consideration other visitors on the trail who may be hiking the whole Highline through, when turning around on this narrow section. The majority of hikers will be descending, as hiking the trail as an ascent is significantly harder with no real benefit.
Extra Option - Siyeh Bend
After you continue east, now descending, you will pass through the longer east tunnel. The view both ways out of this tunnel which cuts through Piegan Mountain are highlights of the road! There are great viewpoints after this of the alpine meadows, before reaching Siyeh Bend. Positioned over Siyeh Creek, the view isn't particularly special here so not really worth a stop, but if you're planning further hikes, then the distant Siyeh and Piegan Passes can be accessed from here. Both these hikes are difficult and strenuous, needing a good level of fitness and much of your day. However, they probably offer the best chances of seeing bears in Glacier. As always, remember to carry your bear spray whilst in Glacier and stay well over 100 yards from any bears.
Stop 9 - Jackson Glacier Overlook
As the elevation of the road drops, it transitions away from rocky isolation and towards forest again.
One of the best landmarks before St Mary Lake is Jackson Glacier Overlook. Framed by trees is a wonderful view out into the distance. Jackson Glacier is the parks 7th largest, but is the glacier that has the best views from Going-to-the-Sun road.
It also happens to be one of the most studied and monitored glaciers in the park. Since 1966, it has lost 40% of its size, highlighting the impact of climate change on these great beauties. However, it comes as welcome news that for Jackson Glacier at least, the rate of loss has reduced in the past 15 years. Once thought that the glacier would be lost by 2030, it now shows signs that it could last well past that!
Stop 10 - Wild Goose Island
Mountains surround the southern and western side of St Mary lake, creating a fantastic contrast between backdrop and foreground of this tiny island.
Rising only a few metres above the waters surface, Wild Goose Island is one of the most photographed and picturesque locations along the road. The waters of St Mary Lake are colder than Lake McDonald, in part because this point is 1500ft higher.
The stunning Fusillade Mountain, seen here just below the larger cloud, is one of the most striking from the viewpoint, but to its left you will also get to see Citadel Mountain, Little Chief Mountain, Mahtotopa Mountain & Red Eagle Mountain.
Stop 11 - St Mary Lake
These mountains can be seen from a few different angles on the turnouts along St Mary Lake. There is a noticeable contrast in feel to this eastern part of the road versus the western start. Here begins long expansive views out to the Great Plains, with the sharp change between the flats and mountains striking.
Half way along the lake on the north side is the Rising Sun Motor Inn, where an end of road food option exists in Two Dog Flats restaurant. You can also take a short trail from the south side of the road down to the waters edge, and get a feel of the cold glacial water!
Make your way down towards the east entrance and St Mary Visitor Centre, and the conclusion of this amazing road!
We recommend journeying this road more than just once during your trip if you can, so that you have plenty of chances to see all the overlooks, plus explore some of the best trails in the Rockies. Therefore we recommend having a look at our 3 day or 5 day itineraries! And if you fancy more spectacular Rocky Mountain parks, then check out our Continental Divide road trip!
