Going to the Sun Road, Montana
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
The most comfortable and quickest way to appreciate the diversity and beauty of Glacier National Park while visiting Montana is a drive along Going to the Sun Road. The 50-mile road offers stunning mountain views with some great chances to spot the park’s unique wildlife. You’re in an RV already, so there’s no excuse to avoid one of the most scenic roads in the country and even stay in one of the many Sun Road, Montana campgrounds.
You’ll need to do a little research before committing to Going to the Sun Road as one of your activities at Glacier National Park. The road twists and winds through the mountains, so snow and ice cover are a real concern. For full access, the road typically opens in late June or early July. Check with park staff about the current status of the road and which areas are accessible in your RV. Also, budget your time well since the road will take approximately two hours to complete without any stops (of course you’ll want to stop and enjoy it).
If you’re traveling to a place named “Glacier National Park”, you’ve got to see at least one glacier, right? Most of the park’s glaciers require some serious footwork to get good views. The Jackson Glacier Overlook gives you an excellent view of this massive sheet of ice from the road.
At this stop, visitors can find education signage about the effects of climate change on the park’s glaciers. There is also an access point for the famous continental divide trail. Stretch your legs and do a little mountain hiking for some different photo angles for the Jackson Glacier.
One of the most iconic points of the scenic drive along Going to the Sun Road is “The Loop,” a very tight switchback turn that is the very reason rigs longer than 21 feet are not permitted between the Avalanche and Rising Sun sections. This is approximately at the midpoint of the drive and visitors will find a parking area to view the nearly 9,000-foot, often snow-capped Heaven’s Peak.
This pull-off has great access to a number of hiking trails. The relatively short Loop Trail (about 4 miles) has a massive elevation change of about 2,000 feet and is rated as strenuous. If anyone in your group prefers to opt out, they’ll have the option to enjoy the comfort of the RV. The Loop Trail also feeds into both the Granite Park and Continental Divide Trails.
Here at Logan Pass, you will have reached the highest point of your drive at more than 6,600 feet. This supreme elevation will give you some of the most far-reaching, unobscured mountain views in the park. The visitor center is also a nice place to take a beat and have a snack.
There are also great hiking opportunities from the visitor center. You can hop on the Highline Trail to the north for a forested trek. For the chance to see some mountain goats, hike about a mile to the west on the Hidden Lake Trail.
A waterfall shooting out of the middle of a mountain? Yep. Bird Woman Falls is a nearly 500-foot waterfall that is an amazing photo opportunity during the spring and summer months when snow melt is fastest.
The peculiar name of these falls is believed to be derived from an association with the historical icon, Sacajawea whose name roughly translates to “Bird Woman.” There are a couple of smaller pull offs to step out and appreciate its beauty.
Your drive past the Weeping Wall can be an exhilarating and for some, maybe scary experience. In the spring, this 100-foot stretch of road borders a rock face that gushes water runoff from the snow melt. Depending on the time of year, the melt can actually pour off with enough force to drench your vehicle.
A sizable pull off will allow your group to stop and marvel at the wall's beauty and take photographs. If there is light traffic, some visitors enjoy running through the ice-cold mountain water careening off the rock face.
There are five RV-friendly campgrounds either just off of or on Going to the Sun Road. No hookups are available at any of these campgrounds, so be prepared to use your generator (there are strict times when generator use is permitted). You will, however, have access to potable water, flushing toilets, and - in some cases - shower facilities. There are also maximum rig lengths for each specific campground ranging from 25-40 feet.
Campgrounds on or near Going to the Sun Road
Just outside the park’s west entrance and at the western tip of Going to the Sun Road, West Glacier RV Park and Cabins is a great campground from which to start your journey. Large pull-through sites offer full hookup capability and free Wi-Fi. Multiple bathhouses and restrooms are positioned throughout the park for your convenience. For fun, play a round of mini golf, rent a bike, or head to the playground. There’s also a restaurant and bar on site.
Approximately one mile outside of Glacier National Park’s western entrance, you’ll find Glacier Campground. With a definite ‘mom and pop’ feel, Glacier Campground is a comfortable and welcoming place to set up camp. The heavily wooded sites really make you feel like you are properly camping. Campsites here can accommodate RVs up to 32 feet in length and will offer water and electric hookups (30-amp) only. Amenities include Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, a playground, and a rec room.
At the other end of Going to the Sun Road, you’ll find the St. Mary East Glacier KOA. Massive pull-through sites can accommodate rigs as large as 75 feet and offer full hookup capabilities. Beyond the close proximity to the eastern end of Going to the Sun Road, this campground has tons of fun activities and amenities for the whole family to enjoy. Rent a kayak or bike, hike a nearby trail, go fishing, hop in the pool, or check out the “Glamping” tent. An onsite restaurant with beer and wine also keeps kids and adults happy.
Located in St. Mary, at the eastern end of Going to the Sun Road, Johnson’s Campground and RV Park has been serving park visitors for decades. The Park has a total of 82 RV sites, and you can choose whether you would like to dry camp, have electrical service only, or prefer to opt for the comfort of a full hookup. The large area allows you to choose the level of privacy you desire, and some sites have excellent views of the park. Amenities include Wi-Fi, propane service, laundry facilities, camp store, bathhouses, and an onsite restaurant.
Eddie’s Cafe at the Apgar Visitor Center, just two miles from the western initial segment of the road serves a southern-oriented breakfast (biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak, etc.) as well as an array of sandwiches, wraps, and salads for lunch and dinner. Two Dog Flats Grill at Rising Sun offers traditional American fare (burgers, sandwiches, etc.) for lunch and early dinners. The Lake McDonald Lodge also has a grill and pizzeria, a lounge, and Russell’s Fireside Dining Room with an array of sandwiches and burgers.
Within the park, there are several restaurants at the Many Glacier Hotel a few miles to the north, with true fine dining at its Ptarmigan Dining Room.
Just outside park at the eastern end of the road, there are a cluster of dining options in the town of Browning. Here, you’ll find a number of American cafés and restaurants as well as Mexican, coffee houses, and a beer garden.
No matter where you stay, the incredible views of Going to the Sun Road will be some of your favorite memories from your visit to Glacier National Park.