At 10 miles long and nearly 500 feet deep, Lake McDonald is the largest lake in the Glacier National Park Tour for the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
One of the park’s most popular lakes for swimming and paddling with emerald-hued waters, it’s also famous for the brightly colored ‘rainbow rocks’ that line the shoreline. The historic Lake McDonald Lodge is located on the lake’s eastern shore with a European Swiss chalet style, crossed with a rustic hunting lodge. It’s worth a stop and peek inside if you aren’t lucky enough to be staying there.
Along the Going-to-the-Sun Road drive in the Glacier National Park Tour, we still make use of engineering marvels like Triple Arches and the Tunnels.
Meticulous surveying and blasting ensured the stability of the mountainside. These creative solutions allow a creek to pass underneath the road at Triple Arches and through the mountainside at East and West tunnels when there was just nowhere to bench the road. Now imagine this road in the winter when snow drifts can reach 90 feet in sections.
Our Glacier adventure begins in the charming Apgar Village, the park’s western gateway nestled at the foot of Lake McDonald. This picturesque village offers a quintessential national park atmosphere with its historic buildings, quaint shops, and stunning views across the crystal-clear waters of the lake towards the towering mountains beyond. Take some time to soak in the ambiance, perhaps browse the local crafts, or simply admire the iconic scenery. Apgar provides the perfect introduction to the grandeur that awaits us within Glacier National Park. It’s a place where the beauty of the lake meets the majesty of the mountains.
Lunch Creek is a peaceful spot just off the road, where a clear mountain stream winds through green meadows. It’s a quiet place to sit by the water, watch for wildflowers, and enjoy a slower moment in Glacier. Bring a snack or just soak in the stillness.
The Many Glacier area is often called the “Switzerland of North America” and it’s easy to see why. Here, jagged peaks rise above turquoise lakes, and the historic Many Glacier Hotel adds timeless charm. Walk the lake’s edge, spot wildlife, and take in some of Glacier’s most dramatic views.
At 6,646 feet, Logan Pass is the highest point on the Going to the Sun Road in the Glacier National Park Tour.
It’s located on the Continental Divide, the tipping point for water drainage to flow east or west across North America. You’ll often spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep grazing in the meadows, and from here you can hike the popular Highline Trail and Hidden Lake trails for a high alpine adventure.
The Weeping Wall is a seasonal waterfall where snowmelt spills down the rock face and onto the road. If you drive by in early summer, you might get a cool spray on your windshield. It’s a fun, quick stop and one of Glacier’s most unique roadside features.
Oberlin Bend offers stunning views of Mount Oberlin and the surrounding peaks. From this pull-off along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you’ll see deep valleys and high ridgelines that show off the park’s alpine beauty. It’s a great place for wide-angle photos and fresh mountain air.
At Siyeh Bend, two clear glacial streams come together, creating a vivid splash of blue-green water against a rocky landscape. This is a striking photo spot and a good place to see the power of water shaping the mountains. The dramatic scenery here shows off the heart of Glacier’s rugged beauty.
Haystack Falls is a roadside waterfall that tumbles down the cliffs near the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s an easy stop and a great place to stretch your legs, listen to rushing water, and grab a photo. Look for it during spring and early summer, when snowmelt feeds the falls.
Wild Goose Island is one of the most picturesque photo locations in the Glacier National Park Tour.
This tiny island is home to a handful of trees and sits only 10 feet above the water, but this seems only to add to the beauty at one of the most photographed locations on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Sitting in the middle of Saint Mary’s Lake completely surrounded by mountains, this iconic spot is best photographed at sunrise.
