Going to the Sun Road
Whether you are traveling solo, or with the kids and the dog, exploring Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road is a required endeavor. Considered one of the country's most beautiful drives, the Going-to-the-Sun Road winds from West Glacier, around Lake McDonald, then climbs up mountain cliffs to Logan Pass, before it crosses the Continental Divide and descends to St. Mary's Lake. The extensive drive is an efficient way to experience the natural jewels of Glacier National Park. more info
Going to the Sun Road Listings: (add your listing)
Cooke City - Yellowstone's version of Glacier!
If you think 'Going to the Sun' is gorgeous, see the Beartooth Pass leading into Yellowstone, and make Cooke City your home-base for the Yellowstone portion of your vacation.
(406) 838-2495
The road was opened in 1933 and is considered an engineering astonishment. Steep slopes and a harsh environment with snow avalanches and falling rocks, made building the road difficult and dangerous. Workers were known to rappel over 100 feet of cliffs to get to the work site. They also had to remove blasted rock materials from the tunnels by hand because the slopes were too steep to get machinery into the area.
The creation of the Going-to-the-Sun Road changed the way people explored Glacier National Park. Instead of taking a week or a month to explore Glacier's natural wonders via backcountry trails, visitors were allowed to easily experience Glacier in a single day. The first year the road opened, Glacier's visitation increased 44 percent, mostly from automobile traffic. Today, an average of 1.8 million people make their way to Glacier each year.
Maintaining the 70-year-old road remains to be a challenging task.
Each spring, bulldozers and snowplows visit the road to clear it of snow and winter debris. The biggest obstacle for the snowplows and road crew is the Big Drift, a 50-80 foot deep snow drift near Logan Pass. Clearing the road takes months, and locals place bets on when the road will actually open each year. The road is typically open from mid-June through October. In order to keep the road in a functioning condition, summer roadwork is scheduled to take place for the next several years. The road will not close, but expect delays up to 15 minutes.
The narrow and sinuous Going-to-the-Sun Road stretches 52 miles and takes and average of 2 hours to drive. The maximum vehicle dimensions are 21 feet long, and 8 feet wide. If your car does not fit within these restrictions, rental cars are available in nearby towns. A shuttle service is also offered for those who want to sit back and enjoy the ride without the stress of driving.
Kalispell, MT Weather
Currently Outside 59FSunny. Refreshingly cool. |
