Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Whitefish, Montana to Whitefish, Montana in Montana, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is Late June to September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Adventure, Classic road trip.

Glacier National Park Loop: Going-to-the-Sun Road in 8 Days

Q: How long is the Glacier National Park Loop: Going-to-the-Sun Road in 8 Days route?

This route takes 8 days taking in 7 stops.

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The route · 7 stops

5 overnight bases · 2 stops on the way

Whitefish, Montana

1 night

The loop's gateway town and a relaxed first night before the park. A walkable main street, lakeside swimming at Whitefish Lake, and the best supermarkets and fuel before you head east on Highway 2. Stock up here, as shops and petrol are sparse and pricier once you enter Glacier.The loop's gateway town and a relaxed first night before the park. A walkable main street, lakeside swimming at Whitefish Lake, and the best supermarkets and fuel before you head east on Highway 2. Stock up here, as shops and petrol are sparse and pricier once you enter Glacier.

Recommendations

44m · 53 km drive to Lake McDonald (West Glacier)

Lake McDonald (West Glacier)

2 nights

Glacier's largest lake and the green, forested west side. Base two nights near Apgar or Lake McDonald Lodge: paddle the coloured-pebble shoreline, walk the flat Trail of the Cedars, and hike up to Avalanche Lake. This water-filled valley is your jumping-off point for the climb up the Going-to-the-Sun Road.Glacier's largest lake and the green, forested west side. Base two nights near Apgar or Lake McDonald Lodge: paddle the coloured-pebble shoreline, walk the flat Trail of the Cedars, and hike up to Avalanche Lake. This water-filled valley is your jumping-off point for the climb up the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Recommendations

On the way

Logan Pass
16m · 19 km
The roof of the drive at 6,646 feet, where the Going-to-the-Sun Road crests the Continental Divide. There is no lodging here, but stop for the visitor centre, alpine wildflowers and mountain goats. Walk the boardwalk to the Hidden Lake Overlook, or set off on the famous Highline Trail along the Garden Wall.The roof of the drive at 6,646 feet, where the Going-to-the-Sun Road crests the Continental Divide. There is no lodging here, but stop for the visitor centre, alpine wildflowers and mountain goats. Walk the boardwalk to the Hidden Lake Overlook, or set off on the famous Highline Trail along the Garden Wall.
Recommendations

23m · 28 km drive to St Mary

St Mary

1 night

The drier east gateway, where the mountains drop straight to the prairie. St Mary Lake holds the much-photographed Wild Goose Island, best at sunrise. Use a night here for the falls trail to St Mary and Virginia Falls, and the Jackson Glacier Overlook, the only glacier you can see from the road.The drier east gateway, where the mountains drop straight to the prairie. St Mary Lake holds the much-photographed Wild Goose Island, best at sunrise. Use a night here for the falls trail to St Mary and Virginia Falls, and the Jackson Glacier Overlook, the only glacier you can see from the road.

Recommendations

19m · 23 km drive to Many Glacier

Many Glacier

2 nights

The scenic heart of the park, where jagged peaks ring Swiftcurrent Lake and the historic Many Glacier Hotel. Two nights gives time for the boat-assisted Grinnell Glacier hike, the gentler Swiftcurrent loops, and dawn reflections on the still water. Bears are often seen grazing the surrounding slopes.The scenic heart of the park, where jagged peaks ring Swiftcurrent Lake and the historic Many Glacier Hotel. Two nights gives time for the boat-assisted Grinnell Glacier hike, the gentler Swiftcurrent loops, and dawn reflections on the still water. Bears are often seen grazing the surrounding slopes.

Recommendations

44m · 53 km drive to Two Medicine & East Glacier Park

Two Medicine & East Glacier Park

1 night

The quiet south-east corner, reached down Highway 49. Two Medicine Lake sits below Sinopah Mountain with a classic boat tour and the short walk to Running Eagle Falls. Spend a night at East Glacier Park, home to the grand 1913 Glacier Park Lodge, before the Highway 2 run back west.The quiet south-east corner, reached down Highway 49. Two Medicine Lake sits below Sinopah Mountain with a classic boat tour and the short walk to Running Eagle Falls. Spend a night at East Glacier Park, home to the grand 1913 Glacier Park Lodge, before the Highway 2 run back west.

Recommendations

On the way

Whitefish, Montana
1h 18m · 94 km
Close the loop by following Highway 2 west along Glacier's southern boundary, over Marias Pass and the Continental Divide, passing the Goat Lick overlook and the railway-era Izaak Walton Inn. Drop the car in Whitefish, or stay a final night before flying out of nearby Glacier Park International.Close the loop by following Highway 2 west along Glacier's southern boundary, over Marias Pass and the Continental Divide, passing the Goat Lick overlook and the railway-era Izaak Walton Inn. Drop the car in Whitefish, or stay a final night before flying out of nearby Glacier Park International.
Recommendations

Glacier National Park Loop: Going-to-the-Sun Road in 8 Days