23 Stops on Going-to-the-Sun Road and FAQs

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Want to know what you can’t miss while driving Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park?

When exploring the outdoors, I encourage you to follow Leave No Trace Principles and be respectful of where you are so we can preserve these spaces for future generations. ♥️

You know you can’t miss Going-to-the-Sun Road when you are visiting Glacier, but did you know that you will want to stop at certain points along the way? Part of the fun of the road is knowing where to get off, where you should hike, and which spots offer those views you want to take photos of!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven this road, and I’m always amazed at how beautiful it is. However, even as a local, it can be a bit overwhelming with the traffic and limited parking at some of the stops–not to mention knowing which turnouts are the best!

You’ll also want to know that in 2024, Glacier requires a reservation system to drive the road during the summer months. For more information on that, you’ll want to check out my guide to the Glacier National Park reservations so that you’re prepared when you arrive.

No worries! I’ve got you with this guide on the best places to stop that you won’t want to miss when you’re driving Going-to-the-Sun Road, as well as some common questions people ask me when they are about to book their trip.

In summary: This guide covers the top spots on Going-to-the-Sun worth adding to your itinerary, as well as some questions about driving it.

Quick tip: Consider this drive in the fall–the foliage is well worth the chillier mornings and evenings!

23 stops to make on Going-to-the-Sun Road

Going-to-the-Sun pretty much goes from one end of the park to the other, so there’s plenty of places to see along the way! Here are some of the recommended stops I think are best, but don’t be afraid to get off and explore in other places!

Quick tip: This list starts from the West Entrance of the park. If you plan on driving from the East Entrance, simply reverse the order!

1. West Glacier Entrance

When driving from west to east, your starting point will be West Glacier Village, a small community located near the West Entrance of Glacier National Park. This is an ideal location to refuel your vehicle, purchase some snacks, and get ready for the drive ahead.

Continuing on from West Glacier Village, you will reach the West Entrance of the park, where you will pay the entrance fee to the park.

There are also a number of West Glacier restaurants that can serve as your lunch spot or a place to grab souvenirs near the West Entrance.

2. Apgar Village, Transit Center, and Visitor Center

Your first destination will be Apgar Village, which boasts a variety of lodging options, a camp store, and the Apgar Campground–one of my recommendations of campsites in Glacier if you want full amenities and easy access to the park.

Apgar Village is an excellent choice if you prefer to stay within the park boundaries too. However, it can be tough to get accommodations here since they book up so fast.

You can also find the Apgar Transit Center right nearby, which is where you will catch the Glacier National Park shuttle if you plan on going so. The Visitor Center is adjacent to this building, and I highly recommend taking a few minutes to check it out–it’s a great activity for kids.

3. Lake McDonald

Next up is the park’s largest lake: Lake McDonald. Measuring ten miles in length and reaching a depth of 500 feet, it’s the center of the action on the west side of the park.

Prior to reaching Lake McDonald Lodge, there are multiple roadside pull-offs on the left-hand side, providing a glimpse of the lake from another point of view. If you have plenty of time, it might be worth it to pull over and relax on the rocky beach for a while.

4. Lake McDonald Lodge

Dating back to 1913, Lake McDonald Lodge is designed in the Swiss-chalet style, making it older than Going-to-the-Sun Road and recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark.

I definitely suggest going inside the hotel and exploring its interior–you’re welcome to even if you are not a hotel guest. Once you have checked out the inside, you can wander through the lobby to the balcony in the back looking out onto Lake McDonald.

At this location, you have the option to rent water sports equipment, such as canoes or paddleboards, or register for a Lake McDonald boat tour provided by the Glacier Park Boat Company.

Three restaurant options are also available here: Russell’s Fireside Dining Room, Jammer Joe’s Pizzeria, and Lucke’s Lounge. All of them are casual and can be a great spot to grab a bit before or after you finish your drive.

5. McDonald Falls Overlook

Upstream from the breathtaking Lake McDonald lies the hidden marvel of McDonald Falls, where you can find a cascade tumbling across McDonald Creek in a stunning display of teal and white. A convenient parking spot near the viewing platform offers a convenient place to start a hike too.

This is the Johns Lake Loop trail; an easy 3-mile trek that meanders alongside the creek, leading you to a great view of the falls. While you might not be able to fit this hike in along with your GTSR adventure, it’s worth coming back for if you have the time.

6. Sacred Dancing Cascade

Continuing beyond McDonald Falls, you will come across the striking Sacred Dancing Cascade. A brief walk across a footbridge from the road leads to a viewing area where the waterfall tumbles over a stair-like portion of McDonald Creek.

The Sacred Dancing Cascades pull-off is another location to access the Johns Lake Loop for the option of seeing both the Sacred Dancing Cascade and McDonald Falls.

7. Avalanche Creek (starting point for Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake Hike)

An absolute must-see is Trail of the Cedars, one of the park’s busiest and easiest hikes. The trailhead is located off Going-to-the-Sun Road, with a parking lot available in the vicinity of Avalanche Campground and the picnic area.

This flat boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and a good option for hikers of all ages and skill levels. The path winds through an old-growth forest of cedar and hemlock trees with some signs along the way sharing information about wildlife you might encounter and the trees themselves.

The Avalanche Lake Trail is an extension of the Trail of the Cedars, beginning at the same trailhead. After passing through Avalanche Gorge, you will proceed through an old-growth forest that has been spared by recent forest fires.

Avalanche Lake, situated approximately 2 miles ahead, is reached after emerging from the forest into a clearing while following Avalanche Creek. This is one of my recommended hikes for those looking for some great payoff without it being too difficult.

Do keep in mind when planning your Glacier National Park itinerary that this hike takes around two and a half hours to complete, so if it’s on your list of hikes you want to do, you might want to get there early to get parking.

8. West Tunnel

Continuing eastward, you’ll come across the West Tunnel, one of two tunnels you’ll go through on the road. Completed in 1927, the West Tunnel has windows that offer vistas of Heaven’s Peak and the Upper McDonald Creek Valley.

Following the tunnel, a small pullout awaits. This location is perfect for taking pictures or walking back through the tunnel to view the windows–this is one of my favorite spots to get a picture!

9. The Loop and Heaven’s Peak

Named after its tight switchback, The Loop offers breathtaking views of Heaven’s Peak, one of the highest peaks in Glacier National Park, standing at almost 9,000 feet tall.

In addition to being an excellent vantage point, The Loop also marks the conclusion of the Highline Trail and a trailhead for the Granite Park Chalet, which are some of the best hiking trails in the park.

There’s a small parking area here perfect quick stop for visitors to appreciate the views before continuing towards Logan Pass.

10. Bird Woman Falls and Haystack Falls

Bird Woman Falls cascades from a height of over 500 feet between the peaks of Mount Oberlin and Mount Cannon, making it one of the highest waterfalls in Glacier National Park.

Although hiking to the falls isn’t permitted, the falls are visible from Going-to-the-Sun Road. During early summer when the snow begins to melt, the waterfall is especially powerful and impressive–you’ll definitely see it if you plan on exploring the road by bike.

Haystack Falls, another visible waterfall on Going-to-the-Sun Road, can be easily seen during your drive. This waterfall passes underneath the road, providing a unique experience of driving over a waterfall and highlighting the impressive civil engineering involved in constructing the road.

11. Weeping Wall

The Weeping Wall descends from a cliff directly onto the road, which is why it was one of my favorite sights along the road when I was a kid. During the early summer months you’ll see more water coming down the cliffside fueled by recent snowmelt.

You won’t be able to stop here, but you will be able to reach your hand out and feel the water as you drive by.

12. Big Bend (Paradise Meadow)

Big Bend is a great spot to park in order to get a better view of the last few stops and a few that will be upcoming. It also gives you an expansive view of the mountains and is a good place to scope for some wildlife.

Quick tip: This is one of the best places for a picnic lunch since you are likely to find parking and the views are just completely fabulous.

13. Triple Arches

Triple Arches is one of the remarkable accomplishments of civil engineering on Going-to-the-Sun Road. The 60-foot stretch is upheld by three enormous stone arches, bridging the steep gap in the mountain.

You’ll have to see it from another stop (Big Bend is the best one) since obviously you can’t see the arches when you are driving over them!

14. Logan Pass Visitor Center

I definitely recommend making a stop at the Logan Pass Visitor Center if you can! Not only does it have some information regarding the trails of the park and the wildlife you might encounter, but rangers are often present to help you with any questions you might have.

There’s also a cute gift shop, and you’ll start your hikes here for the Highline Trail, Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, or Hidden Lake Trail.

The Logan Pass parking lot tends to fill up super fast. I recommend being there at 6:00 am at the latest since the number parking spaces are incredibly limited. Of course, if you can take the free shuttle you can save yourself from having to deal with traffic!

15. Lunch Creek

Lunch Creek is a scenic rest stop that can be another option for views while you snack. Its name originated from early visitors who often stopped here to have lunch during their travels to Glacier National Park.

This quiet picnic area offers breathtaking views of the mountains and is often a bit quieter than the west side of the road from Logan Pass.

Quick tip: Make sure to check out my guide on tips for driving Going-to-the-Sun Road so you feel ever more prepared before you take it on!

16. East Tunnel

As you descend along Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will come across the East Tunnel. This 408-foot tunnel posed a significant challenge during the construction of the road, and was eventually completed in 1932.

What makes the East Tunnel remarkable is that it was built entirely by hand, without the aid of power tools. It blows my mind every time seeing it person!

17. Siyeh Bend and Creek

At Siyeh Bend, Going-to-the-Sun Road takes a sharp hairpin turn, tightly switching back, and leaves the alpine climate of Logan Pass. The road descends into the lower-elevation forests near St. Mary Lake.

Siyeh Bend serves as the starting point for two challenging day hikes: the Siyeh Pass Trail and the Piegan Pass Trail–one of my personal favorites of the best hikes in Glacier National Park. This area is a lot less busy than Logan Pass too!

18. Jackson Glacier Overlook

Resting on Mount Jackson, the fourth-highest peak in Glacier National Park, Jackson Glacier is the seventh-largest glacier in the park. Though visible from Going-to-the-Sun Road, it is far in the distance–definitely bring your binoculars!

Jackson Glacier has decreased in size from 1,875 acres in 1850 to less than 250 acres today.

19. St. Mary Falls Trailhead

One hiking trail in Glacier National Park offers a view of two renowned waterfalls: St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls. You’ll start the hike at St. Mary Falls Trailhead, walking down to the edge of St. Mary Lake to see the 35-foot cascades at St. Mary Falls. You can even swim here if you would like!

If you choose to continue the hike for an additional mile beyond St. Mary Falls, you’ll get to see Virginia Falls, a magnificent 50-foot-tall waterfall that tumbles down a cliffside. This is a great hike for beginners or those who want some beautiful scenery without much work.

20. Sunrift Gorge

If you’re seeking a more extensive waterfall hike, begin at Sunrift Gorge and take the loop trail leading to Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls. This trail initially leads to the smaller Baring Falls, and then proceeds through a forest that was affected by wildfires, offering scenic views of St. Mary Lake.

From there, you can continue on to St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls via the same route as what you would get from the St. Mary Falls Trailhead.

21. Sun Point Nature Trail

In the event that the parking lots at St. Mary Falls Trailhead and Sunrift Gorge are occupied, you can also park at Sun Point. This larger parking area also serves as the starting point for the Sun Point Nature Trail, a simple 0.1-mile trail that offers breathtaking panoramic views of St. Mary Lake.

You can also explore Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls by embarking on a 5.6-mile roundtrip hike.

22. Wild Goose Island Lookout

On the way to St. Mary, you will arrive at Wild Goose Island Overlook. It’s a tiny little island, but you can see it if you look to the center of the lake!

If it looks familiar, you’ve probably seen The Shining. This was the opening shot of the movie!

It’s also one of my favorite places to stop and take photos during sunrise or sunset–the lighting is always amazing. While all of Glacier is great for photography, this might be one of the most-photographed spots in the park.

23. St. Mary Visitor Center

The St. Mary Visitor Center serves as the last stop on Going-to-the-Sun Road when driving from west to east. Although you might be tired from your drive, I recommend making a stop here for some information about the Blackfeet Tribe–it’s an informative way to end the day.

This is also the last stop for the shuttle, so if this is how you are planning on experiencing the road, you’ll need to turn around here.

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Conclusion

Going-to-the-Road is one of the best things to do in Glacier, and knowing where to stop along the way can make it a much more memorable experience. I’ve tried to share some of my favorite spots, as well as ones that might be a bit quieter and help you avoid the crowds. These are places that I believe help you see some of the highlights of the road!

Do you have any questions for me about Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park? Let me know in the comments!