Know Before You Go, Glacier National Park: Going-to-the-Sun Road

Start Planning! 

You’re about to go on an epic adventure to Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• The tour has five starting points:
  • Northbound
    • Columbia: The Montana Vortex House of Mystery on Highway 2 E
    • Middle Fork: The Cascadilla Flat River Boating Access on US Rte 2
  • Reverse
    • Baab: The junction of Hwy 17 and Hwy 89
    • Kiowa: The junction of Hwy 89 and Star School Road.
    • Wetzel: North of Wetzel of Hwy 64
• Vehicle reservations are required for entering the Going to the Sun Road from the West Glacier entrance.
• Decide in advance when and where you would like to start the tour so you know whether or not you need a vehicle reservation.
• You will also need your National Park Pass.
• The Going to the Sun Road closes seasonally every year. Check Below
• The biggest concerns are falling, hypothermia, and bears.

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

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Budget

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs.

• National Park Pass: $20 - $35
• The park does not accept cash.

Hours of Operation 

The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation. Check NPS site for current opening hours.

Get Packing!

Rachel Ennis

​​Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• Raincoat
• Sunscreen
• Binoculars
• Insect Repellent
• Bear Spray (can be rented at Kalispel Airport or Apgar Village)
• Any Vehicle Reservations Needed

Best Time to Visit 

Rachel Ennis

• The Going to the Sun Road closes seasonally every year. Typically, the road opens from late spring to early fall, but exact dates depend on the weather. 
• Summer is a great time to visit, with all shops, visitor centers, and roadways open, but it can also be extremely busy. 
• Early fall sees fewer visitors, but by mid-fall, some park services will be reduced.

Safety Information 

• The biggest concerns are falling, hypothermia, and bears. Watch your step, keep dry, and bring bear spray.

Additional Information

• As of 2024, vehicle reservations are required for entering the Going to the Sun Road from the West Glacier entrance during the prime seasons. These can be booked on Recreation.gov 120 days or 24 hours in advance. Without a vehicle reservation, visitors will need to ride either the free park shuttle buses or a paid-for red bus tour. 
• Alternatively, visitors can enter without a reservation at any time from the St. Mary entrance or can enter from any entrance in the early morning or late afternoon, after gate-check hours.
• Decide in advance when and where you would like to start the tour so you know whether or not you need a vehicle reservation.

Leave No Trace

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders. 

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and carry out memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Glacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun Road Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Glacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun Road Itinerary.

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