Access to McDonald lake is behind the hotel. There is a restaurant, lounge, gift shop and restrooms. The views from the middle of the lake are incredible! They offer one hour guided boat tours as well if you’d rather have someone else captain the ship. If you have time, I recommend renting a boat or kayak for an hour and getting out on that water!!! This is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. When you first drive into Glacier National Park from the west entrance, you will drive by Lake McDonald. Thick Clouds!! Not only were we driving a few inches away from hundred-foot drop offs, but now add in the factor that you can’t see but a couple feet in front of you! Obviously, we survived, and I’m still telling you to go, but it was nerve racking! All that said, I would still do it again in a heartbeat! Let’s get started… Lake McDonald When we started out by Lake McDonald it was bright and sunny and on the way to Logan’s Pass we started driving through clouds. Of course, it could take longer depending on weather, traffic and how many stops you make for pictures or hikes. It takes about two hours to travel the 50 miles each way. Word of warning, the Going to the Sun road is not for the faint of heart! It’s a narrow two-lane road with sharp drop offs.

They designed it to blend in with the scenery. Opened in 1933, it was an incredible undertaking. That’s a lot of snow!! I lucked out that it happened to open for the season on my last day in Montana! The Going to the Sun road itself is a masterpiece. They start plowing the road in April and it doesn’t open till late June or early July. The road is only open a few months out of the year due to snow. Mary and It’s 50 miles of epic scenery! I’m going to list places that you do not want to miss. The Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park is one incredible drive! It connects West Glacier with St.

Going to the sun road opening 2019