Driving America's Most Scenic Road: Going-to-the-Sun Road

Going-to-the-Sun Road

When it comes to unforgettable American road trips, few drives can rival the epic journey along Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road. This isn't just a drive—it's a 50-mile-long, high-altitude adventure that carves its way through the heart of the park, connecting its east and west sides over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass.

Image by mcfisher from Pixabay

​This isn’t just a drive; it’s the ultimate road trip adventure through the heart of Glacier National Park. For 50 incredible miles, you'll wind past towering waterfalls, sparkling alpine lakes, and panoramic mountain views that will have you pulling over at every single turnout.

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Glacier National Park, nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent,” feels wild, raw, and completely magical. With over 700 miles of hiking trails, it’s the kind of place where you can wander through ancient forests, climb into glacier-carved landscapes, and maybe even spot mountain goats—or a grizzly (from a safe distance, hopefully!).

Image by G Poulsen from Pixabay

To know the details about how to reach Glacier National Park, where to stay, and what to hike, read this post:

Hiking Glacier National Park - Grinnel Glacier Trail

Here are 12 of the must-see spots you should add to your itinerary, starting from the west entrance and heading east.

​Lake McDonald: 

This is your introduction to the park's grandeur. The largest lake in the park, its famously colorful pebble shoreline and crystal-clear water make it a perfect first stop.

We stopped at Lake McDonald on our return from the drive in the evening. The beach is peaceful with a stream of water flowing to the lake. You can find colorful pebbles in the clear water here.

Lake Mc Donald

Colored pebbles in the lake

Lake McDonald Lodge is a historic lodge renowned for its exceptional architecture and grandeur. There is a restaurant too. Parking is plentiful at this place, and there are many stores to rent kayaks, eat ice cream, etc. This lake is the best place to relax after a long day of hiking. It is also a good place to watch the Sunset.

​Trail of the Cedars: 

An easy, family-friendly hike through a stunning old-growth forest. The boardwalk loop takes you over a cascading creek and offers a glimpse of the giant cedars and hemlocks. It also leads to the more strenuous Avalanche Lake trail.

The cedar trees and the lush green color are beautiful. This is the most popular spot for hiking. So, we took a shuttle from the visitor center instead of driving. It is difficult to get parking here.

We did the Avalanche Lake trail. It is moderate but completely worth it. You will reach a lake surrounded by mountains and a waterfall rushing water into the lake. The green and emerald color of the water looks surreal. Will publish my next post about the Avalanche Lake Trail. 

Avalanche Lake

​Bird Woman Falls Overlook: 

This spot provides a stunning view of a 492-foot waterfall cascading between Mount Oberlin and Mount Cannon. While you can't get to the falls themselves, the view from the overlook is breathtaking.

Bird Woman Falls

I think the photo below is the view that you see in most of the photos of Glacier National Park. This view is iconic with a waterfall from the mountains, going to the Sun road, and the cars driving on the road. Photos cannot do justice!

​The Loop: 

A classic hairpin turn that offers a dramatic change of scenery and a fantastic view of Heaven's Peak. It's the only switchback on the entire road and a great photo op.

This is also the destination point for hikers who are attempting the famous Highline Trail. This trail is popular for the hike on the edge of cliff walls, which seems pretty dangerous, but gives dramatic views of the mountains and valleys. The Highline Trail starts at Logan Pass and ends at the Loop(11.8 miles one-way). Hikers can take the shuttle from The Loop to go back to Logan Pass. 

We tried 1.5 miles(one-way) of the Highline trail from Logan Pass and returned. It is extraordinary, cannot be compared to any other trail we have done so far. The views are breathtaking.

highline trail

​Weeping Wall: 

During the early summer months, this is a highlight of the drive. Snowmelt cascades down the cliff face, often splashing onto the road and your vehicle. It's a natural car wash with an incredible view.

Many tourists keep their hands out to experience water falling from the wall and splashing onto their faces while driving from the East.

​Big Bend: 

This is one of the most famous viewpoints on the road. From this broad, sweeping curve, you'll be treated to a classic panoramic view of the road itself, surrounded by towering peaks like Heaven's Peak and Mount Cannon.

A random viewpoint

​Logan Pass: 

The highest point on the road is at 6,646 feet. This is the main hub for hiking, with a visitor center and trailheads for some of the park's most popular trails, including the Highline Trail and Hidden Lake Overlook Trail.

The visitor center also has information and exhibits about the geology of the place, flora, fauna, wildlife etc. It is an educational experience for kids. There are restrooms and water filling stations. 

Getting parking at Logan Pass is very difficult. We could get parking at around 3pm (parking left for only 2 to 3 cars). So, if you plan to take any hikes from this visitor center, it's better to take a shuttle.

​Hidden Lake Overlook: 

Starting from Logan Pass, this moderate hike on a boardwalk takes you to a stunning overlook of Hidden Lake, with majestic Bearhat Mountain in the background. It's a great spot to see mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

This hike is very good (2.7 miles round-trip), but it has a lot of steps and takes you to an elevation of 540 ft. The viewpoint is gorgeous. We saw a few mountain goats on the trail. There are no steep sections, but just a lot of stairs. There are some waterfalls as well. A few people extend their hike and climb down to the lake. 

Hidden Lake Overlook

​Jackson Glacier Overlook: 

As the name suggests, this is the only spot on the road where you can see a glacier from your car. While it has receded significantly, it's a poignant reminder of the park's namesake.

Only 25 glaciers remain now in the park. They are expecting all glaciers to be gone by 2030 due to global warming. Let's see. 

Jackson Glacier

​Siyeh Bend: 

A less-trafficked but equally beautiful area with stunning views of the surrounding peaks and alpine meadows. The meadows are filled with wildflowers in early to mid-summer.

All viewpoints between Logan Pass and Wild Goose Island overlook are beautiful, and we stopped at every one of them wherever we got parking. Parking is a real problem at most of the spots. Some beautiful hikes start from this point.

​Sunrift Gorge: 

A short, easy walk from the road leads you to a narrow, V-shaped gorge where water has carved its way through the rock, creating a beautiful cascade.

Getting parking at this point might be tough. But, this is a must-stop. You can see a small waterfall cascade with a short walk. This is the starting point for many trails, like St Mary Falls and Virginia Falls.

St Mary Falls

St Mary Falls is a 1.6-mile round-trip easy hike. You can see a stunning two-tiered waterfall. Another 1 mile with a steeper climb takes you to Virginia Falls.

​Wild Goose Island Overlook: 

This iconic viewpoint on the east side of the park provides the classic shot of a tiny, tree-covered island in the middle of St. Mary Lake, with the jagged peaks of the park's east side in the distance.

This makes the iconic postcard view of Glacier, or a great wallpaper!

This was featured in the movie "The Shining" in the opening sequence. 

🌟 Final Thoughts

Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road is more than just a scenic drive — it’s an unforgettable journey through the heart of Glacier National Park. 

Whether you hike to hidden gems like St. Mary Falls, pause at iconic viewpoints like Wild Goose Island, or challenge yourself on bucket-list trails like the Highline, this road brings you face-to-face with some of the best landscapes in North America.

Take your time, start early to avoid crowds, and don’t be afraid to linger at the overlooks — the magic of Glacier is often in the quiet moments when the light shifts and the mountains seem to glow. By the end of your drive, you’ll understand why Going-to-the-Sun Road is considered one of the most spectacular drives in the world.

So pack your camera, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to experience the very best of Glacier National Park — one breathtaking stop at a time.

Until next time,