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Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana

Going-to-the-Sun Road, an American national landmark and the only road running through the heart of Glacier National Park is undergoing rehabilitation. Find out more and how to take an "e-Tour" of the park.

Going-to-the-Sun Road isn't very long. In fact, it only spans about 50 miles--the width of Glacier National Park. Narrow with only two lanes, it meanders through spectacular forested park scenery, runs past wooded areas full of wildlife and human visitors, past campgrounds and picnic areas, and alongside beautiful Lake McDonald. Eventually, Going-to-the-Sun Road routes visitors traveling eastward, up the mountainside, to breathtaking Logan Pass.

It is here; the big blue Montana sky reaches down to caress snow-topped mountains. Clouds seemingly touch the earth, making one imagine reaching up and touching heaven while standing on top of the world. No wonder it is one of my favorite places on earth! To me, even the Grand Canyon pales by comparison. The panoramic view of the mountains from the top of Logan Pass on Going-to-the-Sun Road is absolutely heavenly!

Admittedly, Going-to-the-Sun Road is difficult to travel. Portions of the road hug the mountainside and have very tight curves. But the awe-inspiring view of snow-capped mountains is unlike any other you will ever see. The view is among the most beautiful sites America has to offer!

Going-to-the-Sun Road is relatively short, yet it takes approximately two hours to travel its length. The speed limit along lower elevations of Going-to-the-Sun Road is 40 miles per hour, decreasing to 25 miles per hour in the alpine section. An estimated two hours driving time does not include additional time you'll need for stopping to visit points of interest, taking photographs, letting wildlife cross the road, and for road construction delays.

Going-to-the-Sun Road's construction delays currently take about 30 minutes each way whenever crossing Going-to-the-Sun Road during peak season. This is mid-June to mid-September, but after mid-September construction delays take much longer, typically up to two hours each way. Pack a picnic lunch!

The comprehensive road rehabilitation project currently underway, while inconveniencing, will ensure Going-to-the-Sun Road is preserved for future generations to enjoy. Road construction is expected to continue on Going-to-the-Sun Road for at least the next 8 to 10 years, depending upon available funding. The project has been designed to ensure maintenance of public access during the core summer season during each phase of construction.

Construction on Going-to-the-Sun Road begun in 1921 as one of the National Park Service's first projects. Completed in 1933 at a cost of $2.5 million, Going-to-the-Sun Road is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark . The road received the official name, "Going-to-the-Sun Road," during the 1933 dedication of Logan Pass. The name was borrowed from the name of near-by Going-to-the-Sun Mountain.

Because Going-to-the-Sun Road is so narrow and winding, especially on the west side of Logan Pass, vehicles are restricted by size to no more than 21 feet (including bumpers) and no wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) on upper portions of the roadway. Restrictions apply between Avalanche Campground and the Sun Point parking area.

Vehicles traveling along Going-to-the-Sun Road that are over 10 feet in height may have difficulty driving west from Logan Pass to the Loop because of rock overhang encounters. According to the National Park Service, stock trucks and trailers can access Packers Roost on the west, and Siyeh Bend on the east. Recreational vehicles and travel trailers exceeding park limits will not be allowed to travel to the top of Logan Pass and must be parked below.

Fortunately, park visitors finding themselves short on luck and long on vehicle can take a guided tour up Going-to-the-Sun Road in one of Glacier Park's "old-time" red touring sedans. Affectionately referred to as "jammers" by their drivers and locals alike, the once "jamming" double-clutching 17-passenger sedans were built by White in the 1930's. Unique, they feature multiple doors and roll back canvas tops. These red "jammers" have become almost synonymous with Going-to-the-Sun Road and Glacier National Park.

Removed from service along Going-to-the-Sun Road for safety reasons in 2000, the park's familiar red "jammer" buses were briefly replaced by a fleet of Dodge 15-passenger vans. Local Montana residents were delighted when Ford Motor Company volunteered to restore the park's fleet of red touring sedans as part of the company's participation in the Proud Partner of America's National Parks program. Their historical return to Glacier National Park means a new generation of park visitors will be able to tour the park "jammer" style along Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Now if you have never traveled along Going-to-the-Sun Road or visited Glacier National Park, try to imagine a wall of snow 80 feet high. That is the amount of snow--up to 80 feet high--that accumulates in Logan Pass each winter. What's more, each spring an even deeper accumulation of snow awaits the park's snowplow crews on the east side of Logan Pass. Is it any wonder this snowdrift has been rightly dubbed the "Big Drift?"

The momentous annual task of snowplowing through Going-to-the-Sun Road typically takes snowplow crews about 10 weeks to complete. It's hard for many to even comprehend the immense amount of snowfall here. Some days, snowplow crews are lucky to even clear a 500-feet path of roadway blocked by drifts and avalanches. This, despite modern snow removal equipment capable of moving up to 4,000 tons of snow an hour!

Meanwhile, on the Flathead Valley floor below, local Montana residents like myself, anxiously wait for the announcement that Logan Pass is finally cleared and Going-to-the-Sun Road "officially" opened for the season. This long awaited event usually happens in early June, but on rare occasions may occur a little earlier or sometimes even later in mid-June.

Those lacking an opportunity to travel through Glacier National Park on Going-to-the-Sun Road might enjoy taking an "e-Tour." View pictures, videos, 360-degree panoramas, and listen to the sounds of Glacier National Park by simply clicking here: .

Call Glacier National Park Headquarters at 1-406-888-7800 for additional information about Going-to-the-Sun Road and other current visitor-related service improvements at Glacier National Park.