Going-to-the-Sun Road
West Glacier to Saint Mary · Montana
Distance49.9mi · 80 km
Drive time1 h 45 minon the road
DifficultyDemanding
MountainLakes
A cliff-carved climb over the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park.
Going-to-the-Sun Road runs about 50 miles clear across Glacier National Park, climbing from the forests of Lake McDonald over Logan Pass, 2,026 m (6,646 ft) on the Continental Divide, and dropping to the shores of St Mary Lake. A 1930s feat of engineering blasted into the cliffs, it is narrow and exposed, past the dripping Weeping Wall and the tight switchback known as The Loop. The alpine section opens only once the snow is cleared (typically late June to mid-October), and vehicles longer than 21 ft or wider than 8 ft are barred from the pass.
Where it runs
West GlacierStart · Montana
Saint MaryEnd · United States
Character
Corners29bends
Tightness6of 10
Max gradient8%≈ 1-in-13
Climb1068 mtotal ascent
Summit2027 mhighest point · 6650 ft
Range1067 mtop to bottom
Summer
Elevation
1067 m rangeKnow before you go
- Narrow, cliff-edge sections with sheer drops
- Open only in summer, once cleared of snow
- Vehicle size limit over the pass (max 21 ft long / 8 ft wide)
- Sudden alpine weather; ice possible
Along the road
- viewpoint McDonald Creek Overlook
- viewpoint Big Bend
- viewpoint Golden Staircase
As seen on screen
The ShiningForrest Gump
In these collections
Nearby roads
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