Going-to-the-Sun Road
Going-to-the-Sun Road is considered an engineering marvel, a 50-mile road carved through the mountains of Glacier National Park.
Plan Around Going-to-the-Sun Road
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Going-to-the-Sun Road Details
Going-to-the-Sun Road is considered an engineering marvel, a 50-mile road carved through the mountains of Glacier National Park. The winding road runs from one side of the park to the other, cresting the Continental Divide at Logan Pass at 6,647 feet. Many of the park's most famous sites and beloved hikes are located along this road. While the park is open year-round, Going-to-the-Sun Road is plowed every spring before opening in early summer. In 1910 only a few miles of rough wagon roads existed in Glacier National Park. Congress agreed to fund the "Transmountain Highway," in the early 1920s. Construction was slow and dangerous: three men died during the road construction. One tractor slipped off the road in 1931, rolled down the mountainside, then miraculously climbed back up the 200 feet it fell with only minor damage. In late fall of 1932, the first car traveled the entire 51 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The road is still considered the park's main attraction, affording incredible views the entire way. Cyclist also tackle the narrow road, so be alert when driving. People can drive themselves, navigating the hairpin turns, but free shuttles allow you to sit back and take in the views without the stress of finding parking at popular pullouts. Red Bus Tours add guides who help you learn about the park's history and geological features.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
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Nearby Parks Around Going-to-the-Sun Road
Compare nearby parks around Going-to-the-Sun Road when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Going-to-the-Sun Road
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Going-to-the-Sun Road while the map context is still fresh.
0.3 mi away
West Entrance Station
If you, like many park visitors, are coming from Kalispell, Whitefish or Columbia Falls, Montana, you'll enter Glacier through the West Entrance Station.
1.4 mi away
Apgar Transit Center/Apgar Visitor Center
The Apgar Transit Center provides all the information you'll need about riding the Glacier National Park shuttle, as well as the hikes and sites along Going-to-the-Sun Road where you might want to hop off.
1.5 mi away
Glacier National Park
Global warming is making Glacier National Park one of the more ephemeral experiences you can have: come see the glaciers while they're still around.
1.5 mi away
Apgar Lookout Trail
This hike is not for the out-of-shape visitor: it's short but steep, climbing almost 2,000 vertical feet in less than 3 miles.
