Biking Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park
Bike one of the most scenic roads in America: Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park!
Dubbed the “Crown of the Continent”, Glacier National Park is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever visited. Home to over 1,500 square miles of glacially carved mountains and valleys, heart-pounding waterfalls, alpine lakes, and dense forests, this place is simply magical!
Most people visit Glacier National Park to hike and drive the scenic roads, but one of my favorite ways to take in the surrounding beauty is by biking Going-to-the-sun Road. This epic 50-mile (one-way) road cuts through the middle of the park and is one of the best cycling routes in the US. It summits the Continental Divide and showcases some of the Park’s most stunning raw wilderness. It’s nothing short of legendary.
But because Going-to-the-Sun Road isn’t quite the well-kept secret that it once was, biking it takes a little extra planning. I promise it’s worth it, though! In this post, I share everything you need to know about planning your ride.
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Going-to-the-Sun Road Map
Going-to-the-Sun Road is a 50-mile paved route that cuts through the center of Glacier National Park. It connects Apgar Village on the west side with St Mary on the east.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Going-to-the-Sun Road is 50 miles one-way. It connects Apgar Visitor Center on the west side and St Mary Visitor Center on the east side. You can ride the full road or just do a section of it.
Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road in summer usually requires reservations that are difficult to obtain. If you can snag reservations, the drive is gorgeous, but areas to pull over to enjoy the views are limited.
If you bike the road, on the other hand, no reservations are needed and if you time it right (ie bike it in the spring), you can enjoy your ride car-free. Biking also allows you to stop and explore any of the road’s famous landmarks and views at your own pace.
Biking Going-to-the-Sun road does require some effort, but you can also choose your own adventure.
Most people start their ride on the west side at Lake McDonald Lodge or the Avalanche Lake Trailhead and ride to the Continental Divide’s Logan Pass before turning around. This comes out to be about 44 miles round-trip with 3,612 feet of elevation gain.
I go more into detail about ride options below.
I highly recommend planning your ride in the late spring when the road is clear of snow, but it hasn’t been opened to vehicle traffic yet. If you want to reach Logan Pass, you should target mid-June for your trip. The work of plowing the road typically begins in early April and takes several months to complete.
While crews are plowing, hikers and bikers are allowed on the road, but cars are not permitted past the Avalanche Trailhead parking lot on the west side and St Mary on the east side.
You can check the status of the road on the Glacier National Park website.
The date varies each year depending on the snowpack. The road opens to cars only after plowing is completed, typically in late June or early July.
While I recommend biking Going-to-the-Sun Road in the spring before it opens to cars, it is possible to ride it during the summer months, too. However, there are restrictions. Bicycles are not permitted from Apgar to Logan Pass in both eastbound and westbound directions between 3 pm and 6 pm daily.
If you do opt for a summer ride, keep in mind that the road is very narrow and has consistent vehicle traffic.
The highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road is Logan Pass, which sits at 6,646 feet.
Yes! E-bikes are allowed on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Unfortunately, there is not a good shoulder for cyclists on Going-to-the-Sun Road. That’s why I recommend riding it in the spring before it’s open to vehicle traffic. If you do ride it during the summer, be sure to wear high-vis clothing and have a rear bike light so drivers see you.
Planning your Going-to-the-Sun Bike Ride
There are several ways you can cycle Going-to-the-Sun Road. Depending on whether you’re an avid cyclist or just want to get out for a quick spin, here are your options.
1. The Full 50-miles
Going-to-the-Sun Road is 50 miles one way from Apgar Village on the west side to St. Mary on the east side. You can do this ride as a one-way adventure using the free first-come-first-serve Glacier National Park shuttle system.
A few things to keep in mind about the shuttle, though:
Another option for your return trip is to just take the shuttle back up to Logan Pass and ride downhill from there. Or, you could ride the full out-and-back and make it a century ride!
Here are the one-way stats if you want to bike the full Going-to-the-Sun road:
- West to east: 50 miles / 4,164 feet of elevation gain
- East to west: 50 miles / 2,853 feet of elevation gain
Note: the full road isn’t fully clear of snow until late June or even early July. You’ll need to time your ride carefully if you want to do the whole 50 miles without vehicle traffic. This will also mean that you won’t be able to use the shuttle to take you back across the park.
2. Avalanche Creek to Logan Pass
This is the most popular way for cyclists to bike Going-to-the-Sun Road and the route that I typically ride. You can park at the Avalanche Creek Picnic Area and pedal about 17 miles to the summit of Logan Pass. Round-trip, this ride has about 3,400 feet of climbing.
Two other places you can start if you want to make your ride longer are:
- Lake McDonald Lodge: 44 miles round trip / 3,786 feet of elevation gain
- Apgar Visitor Center: 64 miles round trip / 4,213 feet of elevation gain
3. St Mary to Logan Pass
If you want to start on the east side, you can pedal up Going-to-the-Sun Road from the St. Mary Visitor Center to Logan Pass. This side of the road has slightly less elevation gain. Out-and-back it’s 34 miles and 2,822 feet of elevation gain. Personally, though, I don’t think this side of the park is quite as spectacular as the west side.
Highlights along Going-to-the-Sun Road
No matter what stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road you choose to ride, there will be attractions and spectacular views! Here are a few of my favorite highlights:
West side highlights
East side highlights
The east side of the park is not without its picturesque views, either. Here are some highlights if you choose to bike on the east:
Bike Rentals & Tours
If you are traveling to Montana to bike Going-to-the-Sun Road, you can ship your bike in advance to be assembled by a local bike shop. However, if you aren’t planning additional bike rides, it’s easier to rent bikes locally.
Bike Rentals
Glacier Guides and Glacier Outfitters each offer bike rentals as well as transportation to your starting point. If you prefer to bring your own car and bike at your own pace, both businesses offer bike rack rentals too.
Bike Tours
If getting in-person beta is more your style, there are also Going-to-the-Sun Road bike tours that you can book. Glacier Guides offers tours in addition to their rental service. Whitefish Outfitters is a good choice for those staying in or near Whitefish, Montana. They offer any combination of bike rentals, transportation, and tours. They also provide tours for other incredible bike rides in the Flathead Valley.
Tips for biking Going-to-the-Sun Road
Even if you decide to ride with a guided tour, biking Going-to-the-Sun Road requires ample preparation. Raw beauty always comes with a few dangers. Here are a few tips I like to remind myself of when I plan a ride in Glacier National Park:
Bring layers of clothes
The weather in Glacier National Park can be extremely unpredictable. You’ll want to bring clothes for any season. I have experienced snow in August in the park, so nearly any weather is possible! For tips and recommendations on layering, head to our post on layering basics.
Be bear aware
With some luck, you’ll be able to see some incredible wildlife on your trip. I’ve seen a few bears during my rides. Typically, the bears begin coming out of hibernation in April, so be bear-aware. Glacier is also home to bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and moose. Animals like grey wolves and mountain lions also live in the park, but you are less likely to encounter them.
Watch for changing road conditions
You’ll need to keep an eye out for wildlife while also keeping an eye on the road. I’ve come across rockslides and occasional ice patches early in the season as the road was still being plowed. There might also be avalanches, which not only slow the plowing progress but on occasion have also blocked portions of the road for cyclists.
Stay a safe distance from waterfalls
Bears may be the biggest fear of many visitors, but drowning has caused more fatalities in Glacier. As you are biking Going-to-the-Sun Road, you’ll encounter several waterfalls. Biking allows you to get otherwise unseen views of the waterfalls, but be cautious and don’t get too close.
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Are you planning to drive or bike Going-to-the-Sun Road or have you already been? Share your questions, tips, or comments below!
