Going to the Sun Road

Entrance to Glacier National Park and the Going to the Sun Road

Some roadtrippers visiting the area ask "Where is the Going to the Sun Road?"

Glacier National Park is traversed east to west by the 50-mile long Going to the Sun Road, completed in 1932.

The narrow, winding two-lane road is located in Glacier National Park in the north section of Montana, adjacent to the Canada border. The eastern end of the road lies at US. Route 89 in St. Mary, while the western terminus is at U.S. Route 2 in West Glacier near Whitefish. The Park covers 1,012,837 Square miles, and includes 131 named lakes.

The road is open only part of the year, roughly from earlysummer to late September. 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. There is no set date for the road to open.

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.

It takes at least 2 hours (nonstop) to drive the full length of the road. Logan Pass is 32 miles from the west entrance and 18 miles from the east entrance.

We have driven the road several times, both east to west, and west to east, on sunny days, and in heavy fog! It is a magnificent highway, easy drive in most sections, though narrow in areas where it is carved into the side of mountains.

More Scenes Along the Road

Getting Around

While many roadtrippers along the Going to the Sun Road use their own private vehicles, others take advantage of the Shuttle Bus System or ride in the comfort of a famous red touring bus!

Going to the Sun Road Shuttle

The famous red Glacier tour bus

Plowing the Going to the Sun Road.

Plowing the Road

Plowing the Going to the Sun Road is a monumental challenge each year. Unpredictable spring snow storms or other weather related events can slow down plowing progress. Up to 80 feet of snow often covers Logan Pass in the winter, and typically it takes about ten weeks to clear for summer traffic.

It is not uncommon for plowing crews to need to re-plow sections of the road when weather events happen while the road is open.

Safety for plowing crews, contractors, and the public is of utmost concern and priority. These unknown factors make predicting the opening of date impossible from one year to the next. However, Going to the Sun is on average open from early June until mid-October.

Lodging Options near the Going to the Sun Road

Lodging in the park varies from rooms in historic grand hotels to cozy cabins and from comfortable motels to backcountry chalets. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Rooms book up fast, especially during the peak months of July and August. Camping and wilderness camps are also available.

Listed below are some of the lodging options in/near the park, and surrounding Montana cities.