This past summer, I had the opportunity to bike up Going-To-The-Sun Road on a rented mountain bike. It was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had! I will never forget the views, the challenges, triumphs, or my companions who shared this adventure with me.
Hitting an all-time high altitude of over 7000 feet was an actual test of my body’s limits. The first day of biking was the hardest for me. I had never biked more than two miles in my life, and climbing uphill felt like a mountain bike marathon to me!
The first unforgettable moment happened when this view opened up:
Going to the sun road
It won’t be easy, but some parts will make you say, “This is worth it; I’m glad I came.”
Unarguably, one of the unique bike trails.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is an American treasure. It ranks high on the bucket lists of most cyclists, and the ride dishes up a challenge along with a heavy dose of incredible scenery. Biking offers a way to intimately savor all of the detail that created this country’s only road, which is both a National Historic Landmark and a National Civil Engineering Landmark. Arches and tunnels access natural wonders like waterfalls, wildlife, and glacier-carved peaks.
Image by Mike Goad, Pixabay
I had never been so close to a mountain before, and I was humbled and felt very proud of what we accomplished. Then, finally, we cycled up the Going-to-the-Sun bike trail, which would have taken at least four hours by car or many more days on foot!
Going-to-the-sun road open season
GTSR Road remains open all year and provides access to many locations and activities. The opening of the alpine portion varies based on snowfall and plowing progress. There is no set date for the road to open, and you don’t need a park entry pass. Typically the road has been fully open in late June or early July.
Going to the Sun Road is the most scenic drive in the United States.
The route traverses North America’s best scenery and offers a challenge for the best cyclists. However, the best view is not without a price: stay alert and be prepared to take care of yourself on this iconic route with one-way traffic, heavy tourist volume, long steep climbs (of up to four miles), high-altitude mountain passes, snowfields in the summertime, sudden weather changes that can involve thick fog or hail, and little water.
The scenery was breathtaking and made me want to explore every corner of the park. Watching the animals from proximity also caused my heart to beat faster (especially when I saw this bear!).
Glacier National Park View Photo by Christopher Zarriello on Unsplash
I’m proud that we could complete our journey without significant injuries or mishaps. We had gotten lost once, but it all worked out. The experience has changed my perspective on the world, and I am so glad to have had this opportunity.
It’s a one-hundred-mile journey from Logan Pass to St Mary, Montana (32 miles from the west entrance)
The trail is well-maintained and scenic; it follows the North Fork Smith River course for about forty miles until Highway 89 provides access to Helena National Park. You can see at least two beautiful waterfalls in these early stages, including Rainbow Falls and St. Mary Falls.
Rainbow on Saint Mary Falls, Glacier National Park Montana
St Mary, Montana, is a small town of just over 300 residents, surrounded by stunning natural beauty. The Smith River runs through the center of this tiny community with its abundant fishing opportunities in all seasons, little rafting rapids to play on during spring melt-off or when water levels are high enough, and plentiful trout, smallmouth bass, Northern pike, and panfish.
One of the most popular activities in this area is hunting, with waterfowl season running from September through November. Each year, several hundred hunters come to St Mary for its outstanding population of wood ducks, mallards, Canada geese, and a diversity of other waterfowl.
There are also a variety of other outdoor activities available in the area, including fishing, boating, and kayaking on the beautiful Smith River, hiking opportunities at nearby Helena National Park with its varied ecosystems to explore from lush forest to alpine tundra meadows, or perhaps to visit one of Montana’s most prominent natural stone arches.
Where to rent bikes
Glacier Outfitters is one place in Glacier National Park to rent bikes. Glacier Outfitters also rents other gear like backpacks and fishing poles, so it’s worth stopping by, even if you’re not planning on renting a bike. The company has two locations near Apgar Village and one at Logan Creek Campground.
The store at Logan Creek Campground has a small café, so you can stop by for lunch or charge your phone. The Apgar Village location is not open year-round and doesn’t have a snack bar, but it does sell bikes. Glacier Outfitters also offers bike rentals outside of the park in Whitefish.
Your other option would be Glacier Guide, Montana Raft. Glacier Guides is based on Hwy 2, Montana, near “Lake Five” (11970 Hwy 2 East, West Glacier, Montana 59936). The company offers hiking, biking, rafting, and fishing tours to help you get your Glacier experience started right! They have been around for almost 40 years and have solid expertise behind their services.
Where to stay
There are a few different places to stay here. Many people choose to camp along the way, but some hotels and lodges also exist. You can also look for apartments near swamp rabbit trail, Greenville sc.
East Glacier Motel & Cabins
1107 MT-49, East Glacier Park Village, MT 59434, United States
+14062265593
If you’re looking for a place to stay with cabins and a motel, East Glacier Motel & Cabins is a great option. It’s close to the beginning of the road and has great views.
Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort
101 Clematis Ave, Waterton Park, AB T0K 2M0
+14038592150
If you’re looking for a more luxurious option, Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort is a beautiful lodge. It offers amazing views of the mountains and has all the amenities you could want.
Glacier Outdoor Center
12400 US-2, West Glacier, MT 59936, United States
+14068885454
Glacier Outdoor Center is a great option if you’re looking for something more affordable. It’s close to the midway point of the road and has camping, cabins, and a lodge.
Lake Mcdonald Lodge
288 Lake McDonald Ldg Lp, West Glacier, MT 59936, United States
+18557334522
This beautiful-looking lodge is on the lake’s western shore and has more than 1200 good reviews on Google Maps.
Amazing views
You’ll see amazing views of Glacier National Park and its wildlife along this route. Of course, we will also be visiting the stunning views from Logan Pass! Along with all these incredible sights, we can’t forget about the beautiful wildlife the glacier offers!
We may see bears, moose, coyotes, or even bighorn sheep. All these creatures call Glacier National Park their home, and we will see some of them on our way to the summit!
Photo by Brandon Messner on Unsplash
So, grab your camera, and let’s get started!
You’ll be able to stop at many places along the way for food, gas, or just some photos.
Photography opportunities are all over Montana, including going-to-the-sun road. For example, you’ll be driving along with Lake McDonald, which has excellent photo ops for wildlife lovers who want pictures with a reflection in the water.
Image by David Mark on Pixabay
You’ll also be driving past towns such as Babb, West Glacier, or Saint Mary, which all have photography opportunities. For example, you can buy food at these places and gas up your car efficiently while taking wildlife pictures on Lake McDonald’s shoreline. This lake offers an excellent opportunity for people who love to take photos of reflections in the water.
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
Lake McDonald is an excellent place for wildlife lovers, as there are many opportunities to take pictures of the reflection on the lake’s surface or even just from its shoreline. Of course, wildlife can be seen anywhere along your journey, but this lake offers some of the best photo ops!
Take a break from the bike to eat food.
There are also picnic areas along the way for those who want to break up their ride with food or have a rest from biking. Pack food that will not spoil, like sandwiches or peanut butter and jelly.
- Bring water with you at all times! Of course, you can also fill up your bottles at the various gas stations on this route, but it’s advised that you drink plenty of fluids while biking in the first place.
Photo by Myles Tan on Unsplash
- Keep food in plastic bags or containers to avoid bugs getting into your food, and be sure that any food you eat while biking is thoroughly washed before it goes back into the bag!
- Photography lovers can take pictures of their lunch for social media posts, but they should not bring food too close to a busy road.
- This route is perfect for foodies because there are plenty of restaurants to enjoy once you’re done with your bike ride!
Camping opportunities
The Going-to-the-Sun Highway has multiple campground opportunities where you can stay overnight if you’re looking for more adventure than just one day’s worth of riding. These are the Fish Creek, Granite Park, and Apgar campgrounds.
Rising Sun Campground
Besides, Saint Mary Lake is a great place to stay if you want to get up early and get out of the park. They have plenty of campsites beside the lake, some with views of Wild Goose Island Lookout, which we highly recommend for those who like watching bald eagles fly over as they hunt for breakfast in the morning.
This campground has a 24-hour visitor center, showers, and laundry facilities. Campfires are allowed in certain areas only (no permit required) – water is available for purchase onsite.
Fish Creek Campground
It is a walk-in-only site, and it’s open from the first Friday of June to late September annually, depending on the weather. It has 28 campsites for tents or RVs up to 25 feet in length; all sites are spaced well apart with plenty of shade trees between them so you can enjoy some privacy.
The Granite Park Campground
This one has 83 campsites and is open annually from the middle of July to early September, depending on the weather. All sites are spaced well apart, with plenty of shade trees between them so you can enjoy some privacy. Sites are available for tents or RV’s up to 35 feet long; there is a dump station and potable water at the campground.
Apgar Campground
Apgar is a walk-in-only site open annually from late June to early September, depending on the weather. It has 112 campsites for tents or RVs up to 35 feet in length; all sites are spaced well apart with plenty of shade trees between them so you can enjoy some privacy.
The Apgar Campground has 112 campsites for tents or RVs up to 35 feet in length; all sites are spaced well apart with plenty of shade trees between them so you can enjoy some privacy. Sites are available annually from late June to early September, depending on the weather. There is a dump station and potable water at the campground.
Logan Creek Campground
The Logan Creek Campground has tent and RV sites and a group site for larger groups. There is also the Avalanche Creek Campground, which only has one loop of campsites with no hookups or showers. Still, even if your trekking journey ends here, it’s always nice to have an opportunity to relax in nature before heading back home.
If you’re looking for an adventure ride, this is it!
Few roads in America can rival the Going-to-the-Sun Road for incredible scenery and a challenging ride. Combine this with an opportunity to experience natural wonders and take in all the detail that created this country’s only road, a National Historic Landmark and a National Civil Engineering Landmark. You have yourself one heckuva bucket list item.
Image by David Mark on PixaBay
If you want more reasons why biking is great, join our Facebook Group, where we post ideas on how to incorporate cycling into your life and inspiration from others who bike!
I hope you are as stoked about my bike ride up Going-to-the-Sun Road as I was! If you’re looking for other great ways to explore Glacier National Park, check out these posts: “The Hidden Gems in Glacier National Park” and “Glacier National Park: Top Hikes and Waterfalls to Explore in One Day or Less!”
COVID-19 Update
Regardless of vaccination, visitors to Glacier National Park must wear masks and follow the safety guidelines. Read more here
The latest update suggests that a mask is required to enter federal buildings.