Going-to-the-Sun Road - Scenic Route
Going-to-the-Sun Road
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/ Distant views of Glacier National ParkPhoto: Jean Beaufort, CC0, www.publicdomainpictures.net -
/ Stunning view from Going-to-the-Sun RoadPhoto: Mcrawfish, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Mountaintops galore on Going-to-the-Sun RoadPhoto: Ken Thomas, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
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/ On tour with a classic Red JammerPhoto: Adam Engelhart, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ View of Jackson GlacierPhoto: GlacierNPS_, CC0, flickr.com
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/ View of Saint Mary RiverPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA, flickr.com
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/ Logan Pass seen from Bearhat MountainPhoto: Ron Clausen, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Information panel at Logan PassPhoto: Ken Thomas_, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
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/ Haystack Creek seen from afarPhoto: GlacierNPS, CC0, flickr.com
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/ Lake McDonald in winter timePhoto: David Restivo, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
A stunning scenery with rocky mountaintops makes for an interesting ride: Going-to-the-Sun Road in the midst of Glacier National Park takes you along winding roads into Montana’s stunning hinterland
Going-to-the-Sun Road is located in the Rocky Mountains and named after the eponymous mountain in Glacier National Park, Montana. There are several legends surrounding its early days. One of them has it that the author James Willard Schultz gave the mountain this name to express its stunning beauty and grace. Nowadays, this scenic route is known as National Historic Place, National Historic Landmark and Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It has been immortalized in blockbusters such as “The Shining“or „Forrest Gump“ where it reflects the unique scenery in all its beauty and greatness. And it’s even as impressive in real life as it is in the movies, actually.
Nonetheless, you shouldn’t underrate this road: Due to its numerous hairpin turns you should only go there if you’re an experienced driver. That’s why the route is closed in winter time which usually comes across with lots of snow.
Author’s recommendation
Don’t miss the chance to hop on one of the so-called Red Jammers, the national park’s classic tour buses.
Rest Stop
Lake McDonaldSafety information
For safety reasons, there is a speed limit of 45 miles on several sections of the road, the steeper sections are even limited to 25 mph. Please be careful when entering the curves and hairpin turns.
Tips, hints and links
Due to weather conditions, a few sections oft he road are closed from September/October to June. Generally. there is no set date for the road to open, so please inform beforehand about the weather conditions.
To drive along this route, your vehicle must be 21 feet or shorter, 8 feet (or less) wide and less than 10 feet high, otherwise you won’t make it through the tunnels. Check your vehicle before setting out on the drive.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The tour starts at St. Mary from highway 89. We head north-west and after only 1 km (0,6 miles) we arrive at Saint Mary River. On its north-eastern limit we turn left in order to drive along its northern shore for about 16 km (10 miles) (passing by the small town of Rising Sun after 8 km). Leaving behind the river, after further 6 km (4 miles) we get to a hairpin turn called “Siyeh Bend“. The following road section towards Logan Pass is framed by several parking areas. After approximately 4,5 km (3 miles) we reach Logan Pass and drive through the tunnel. After that, we continue in northern direction and get to another hairpin turn called Crystal Point after further 12 km (7,5 miles). At this point we can make out McDonald Creek on the right side. It winds along the scenic road in south-western direction, leads past Haystack Creek after about 5 km (3 miles) and leads into Lake McDonald after further 30 km (19 miles). We follow the river to the lake, with marvelling views of the remote Jackson Glacier on the left. Driving along the lake’s southern shore for approximately 16 km (10 miles) we pass by a camping site and after further 2 km (1,3 miles) we reach West Glacier.
Note
Public transport
You can’t get from Kalispell City Airport to St Mary by public transport. An alternative would be to hire a car.
Getting there
From Kalispell City Airport to Browning via U.S. 93 and US-2, then via US-89 N onto Glacier Rte 1 Rd at St Mary (total length: 130 miles).
Parking
There are parking areas in the small towns alongside the route.
Equipment
You need solid footwear, weatherproof clothing and enough to drink (preferably water). As there are no gas stations or restaurants along the way, you need to refuel beforehand and take a petrol can with you.
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