A fare-free shuttle is available along Going-to-the-Sun Road on a first-come, first-served basis.Shuttles are wheelchair-accessible. Smoking, pets, and open alcohol containers are prohibited. Bear spray must be safely secured to prevent accidental discharge. Most shuttles have bike racks. Summer Shuttle ServiceSummer shuttle service begins July 1 and continues through Labor Day. Reduced services may also be offered through mid-September.
Hiker-Biker Shuttle ServiceThe hiker-biker season allows recreational access for hikers and bikers beyond vehicle gate closures on Going-to-the-Sun Road prior to the road opening for the season. Hiker-biker shuttle service is offered weekends only from May 11 until June 30 or until the day the Going-to-the-Sun Road fully opens, whichever comes first. If the Going-to-the-Sun Road fully opens prior to June 30, the hiker-biker shuttle service will no longer be offered.
2024 Going-to-the-Sun Road Shuttle Map The map highlights the shuttle stops, trails, and other points of interest along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Download the map for offline use. Shuttle Stops The Apgar Visitor Center is the main hub for transit functions on the west side of the park. At the Apgar Visitor Center, you will be able to find park rangers to assist you in planning your day in the park. If you are visiting for the day, park your car here and hop on the shuttle to access different locations on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Specific Location: Under the shuttle shelter in the Apgar Visitor Center Plaza. Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Trip Planning Information: Apgar Visitor Center - self-guided park and shuttle information. Sprague Creek Campground is a small campground located on the northeast shore of Lake McDonald, just off Going-to-the-Sun Road approximately 9 miles from the West Entrance of the park. There is a picnic area in the campground.
Specific Location: Along Going-to-the-Sun Road at the entrance of the campground. Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Activities: Camping - 25 sites Picnic area Lake McDonald Lodge is a great destination for numerous activities. The Lodge itself is an attraction and built to resemble a hunting lodge with Swiss influence. Come and enjoy all that this historic location has to offer. Parking is often limited, so it might be a good idea to park your car at the Apgar Visitor Center and hop on a shuttle to reach Lake McDonald Lodge.
Specific Location: Across from the camp store. Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Day Hikes (one-way): Avalanche Creek - 6.5 mi. Fish Lake - 2.9 mi. Gunsight Pass Trailhead - 21.4 mi. Mt. Brown Lookout - 5.3 mi. Snyder Lakes - 4.4 mi. Sperry Chalet - 6.4 mi. Campstore/Gift Shops: Lodge camp store Lodge gift shop Lodging: Lake McDonald Lodge Food Service: Russell's Fireside Dining Room Jammer Joe's Grill and Pizzeria Lucke's Lounge Activities: Scenic Boat Tours & Rentals - Glacier Park Boat Co. Horseback Rides - Swan Mountain Outfitters at the Lake McDonald Corral Road Tours - Sun Tours & Glacier National Park Lodges Avalanche Creek is one of the most popular destinations in the park. The area includes 2 of the more popular hiking trails, a picnic area, and restrooms. Avalanche Campground is also located here, making this a popular base camp for journeys along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Specific Location: Part of the picnic area near the main parking lot and restrooms. Restrooms: Yes - in campground loops and in the picnic area. Drinking Water: Yes - spigots are located in campground loops. Day Hikes (one-way): Avalanche Lake - 2 mi. Lake McDonald Lodge - 6.5 mi. Catch another shuttle at Lake McDonald Lodge. Trail of the Cedars - 0.7 mi. Activities: Camping - 86 sites Picnic area The Loop represents a very significant location on Going-to-the-Sun Road. This is the only switchback on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and contains many architectural features. The Trapper Fire of 2003 swept through this area and opened up vistas of distant mountains. Heavens Peak dominates the landscape and a hiking trail at this spot maps the course to the historic Granite Park Chalet.
Specific Location: Next to the restrooms. Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: No - please plan accordingly and bring plenty of water with you to this destination. Day Hikes (one-way): Granite Park Chalet - 4.0 mi. (one-way). Logan Pass via The Loop and Highline Trails - 11.6 mi. Catch another shuttle at Logan Pass. Logan Pass sits along the Continental Divide at 6,646 feet (2,026 m) and treats visitors to sweeping vistas of mountains and alpine meadows. Wildlife such as Bighorn sheep, Mountain goats, and occasional bears may be seen. Rangers at the Logan Pass Visitor Center will be on hand to answer questions about the area and nearby day hikes. A bookstore is also located in the visitor center. Day Hikes (one-way): Located on a prominent bend on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Siyeh Bend Shuttle Stop marks the transition point between the higher elevation sub-alpine vegetation and the forest of the East Side. Two popular day hikes depart from this location, Piegan Pass and Siyeh Pass.
Specific Location: There are two queuing areas (westbound & eastbound). Restrooms: No Drinking Water: No - please plan accordingly and bring plenty of water with you to this destination. Day Hikes (one-way): Piegan Pass - 4.5 mi. Siyeh Pass - 4.6 mi. Sunrift Gorge via Siyeh Pass - 10.1. Catch another shuttle at Sunrift Gorge. Jackson Glacier Overlook provides visitors with the opportunity to see a glacier from Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Also, a short walk from here is the Gunsight Pass Trailhead. This location is popular with backpackers taking extended trips into the backcountry on the Gunsight Pass trail and exiting at Lake McDonald Lodge. The shuttle helps facilitate this if you have only one car and need to shuttle back to it. Specific Location: There are two queuing areas (westbound & eastbound). Restrooms: No Drinking Water: No - please plan accordingly and bring plenty of water with you to this destination. Day Hikes (one-way): Deadwood Falls - 1.3 mi. Florence Falls - 4.9 mi. Gunsight Lake - 6.2 mi. Lake McDonald Lodge - 21.4 mi. St. Mary Falls - 3.2 mi. Virginia Falls - 3.9 mi. Baring Falls - 3.9 mi. St. Mary Falls is one of the most popular short hikes in the St. Mary Valley. Two other beautiful waterfalls, Virginia Falls and Baring Falls, can also be added to your hike from this location. The Reynolds Creek Fire burned this area in 2015 and opened up vistas of mountains in the St. Mary Valley.
Parking can often be very limited throughout the day, riding the shuttle to this location ensures that you will be able to enjoy hiking in this beautiful area. Specific Location: Pullout along the south side of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: No - please plan accordingly and bring plenty of water with you to this destination. Day Hikes (one-way): St. Mary Falls - .8 mi. Virginia Falls - 1.6 mi. Baring Falls - 1 mi. Sunrift Gorge Shuttle Stop is another popular location along the eastern portion of Going-to-the-Sun road. There are a variety of both short and long hikes that can be accessed from this location. An impressive architectural feature of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Baring Creek Bridge can also be seen here.
Specific Location: Along Going-to-the-Sun Road just passed the Baring Creek Bridge. Restrooms: No Drinking Water: No - please plan accordingly and bring plenty of water with you to this destination. Day Hikes (one-way): Baring Falls - 0.3 mi. St. Mary Falls - 1.7 mi. Sunrift Gorge - 200 ft. Virginia Falls 2.5 mi. Sun Point is one of the premier spots to view the mountains that tower above St. Mary Lake. In the early part of the 1900s the promontory jutting out into the lake was the site of the Going-to-the-Sun Chalet. The buildings were removed, after falling into disrepair during World War II. The site now boasts a short nature trail, picnic area, and trailhead to three spectacular waterfalls.
Specific Location: Near the restroom in the Sun Point parking area. Restrooms: Yes Drinking Water: Yes Day Hikes (one-way): Baring Falls - 0.7 mi. St. Mary Falls - 2.2 mi. Virginia Falls 2.9 mi. Take a boat tour on St. Mary Lake and if you choose, disembark at the Baring Falls boat dock and hike to a variety of destinations. Catch another shuttle at shuttle stops along Going-to-the-Sun Road to get back.
Specific Location: Near Glacier Park Boat Co.'s reservation booth. Restrooms: Yes - in the picnic area. Drinking Water: Yes - at the restroom. Day Hikes (one-way): From the tour boat that unloads at the Baring Falls boat dock: St. Mary Falls - 1.5 mi. Virginia Falls - 2.2 mi. Sunrift Gorge - 0.3 mi. Activities: Scenic Boat Tours - Glacier Park Boat Co. Picnic area St. Mary Visitor Center is the main hub for transit functions and park information on the east side of the park. Rangers are on hand to answer questions, and educational and interpretive exhibits and a park movie may be available to read and watch. Backcountry information and permits are located in St. Mary Visitor Center for those looking to get off the beaten path. St. Mary Visitor Center also has a bookstore inside. Activities: Is Going-to-the-Sun Road Open?
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Last updated: May 6, 2024