Going-to-the-Solar Highway is a panoramic mountain street by means of Glacier National Park. Driving the street, you’ll encounter mountain vistas, glowing alpine lakes, and probably a few of the wildlife that roams the park.

Going-to-the-Solar Highway, usually referred to as The Solar Highway for brief, is 50 miles lengthy and connects St. Mary and West Glacier. It goes over the Continental Divide by means of Logan Cross and tops out at 6,646 toes above sea degree at its highest spot.

However greater than any statistics, you’ll bear in mind the surroundings from this drive lengthy after you’ve completed it.

Suggestions for RVing Going To The Solar Highway

Whereas it is a stunning street, and seeing it’s undoubtedly an incredible factor to do at Glacier Nationwide Park, it will also be a problem. Between park crowds, winding turns, and winter climate, you’ll need to do a little analysis earlier than you really drive it. Listed here are just a few ideas for benefiting from your journey.

1. See for those who want a reservation

Throughout extra widespread durations on the park, you’ll want a car reservation to journey the street. In 2024, from Could 24 – September 8, vacationers want a reservation for the west facet of The Solar Highway and North Fork between 6 am and three pm. From July 1 by means of September 8, you’ll want a car reservation for Many Glacier from 6 am – 3 pm. You do not want a reservation exterior of these hours. 

If in case you have lodging, tenting, a ship tour, or one other exercise already booked alongside the street, you might be allowed to drive it to get to your exercise. 

You may make a car reservation at recreation.gov.

2. Be certain that your car could make the drive

Going to the Solar Highway is a two-lane mountain street that has hairpin turns in some elements. On the best elements of the street, autos can’t be longer than 21 toes, and may’t be wider than 8 toes. These restrictions are for the world between the Avalanche Creek and Rising Solar picnic areas. RVs which might be greater than 10 toes tall could not have the ability to clear the rock overhangs on the portion of the street west from Logan Cross to the hairpin flip generally known as the Loop.

The pace restrict on the street is 45 mph within the decrease sections and 25 mph on the steeper, winding sections. 

3. Know the climate

Going-to-the-Solar Highway typically opens in early June and closes once more in October. However openings and closings are dictated by the climate. It could actually take as much as 10 weeks to plow out the street within the spring, and typically the plows solely progress 500 toes in sooner or later. If there was late, heavy snow the street could not open as early as common. Conversely, if there’s an early snow within the fall, it could shut prior to common.

You should definitely verify that the street is open whenever you plan to drive it. You may verify street closures on the Glacier NPS website. 

4. There are alternate options to driving your self

In case your RV received’t make it over the street, or if you wish to be free to admire the views, there are a number of excursions that drive Going-to-the-Solar Highway as properly. Purple Jammer buses initially drove Glacier’s roads within the Thirties. In 2001, the buses had been modernized and now visitors can take guided excursions on them. 

There are additionally some shuttle buses and Blackfeet tour buses that provide excursions of varied elements of the street as properly. 

5. Gas up

There aren’t any fuel stations inside Glacier Nationwide Park. You’ll wish to fuel up earlier than coming into the park, and keep watch over the fuel gauge so you have got loads of warning to get extra for those who want it. Cities simply exterior the park like West Glacier, St. Mary, East Glacier Park Village, and Waterton Lakes have fuel stations the place you may refill. 

6. Plan for street building

The most effective time to drive The Solar Highway is, for a similar cause, one of the best time to work on The Solar Highway. Good climate permits crews to get work accomplished. Through the summer time of 2024, there are a number of street building initiatives occurring that might have an effect on your drive. 

The west facet of the street is within the final section of a yearlong building undertaking. It’s anticipated to be accomplished in June. 

The higher McDonald Creek Bridge can be being changed, and building on Glacier Drive in Polebridge is ongoing. 

There are a number of different building initiatives underway across the park. You may verify the road construction page on the Glacier NPS web site for updates. 

7. Plan to cease at many factors of curiosity

Though Going-to-the-Solar Highway is 50 miles lengthy, it takes about two hours to drive with out stopping due to the steep grades and winding turns. However you’ll wish to plan way more time than that. There are many locations to cease alongside the drive together with Lake McDonald, Path of the Cedars, Saint Mary Lake, and different overlooks and scenic spots. You may see a few of these websites forward of time by trying out the multimedia page on the Glacier website. There, you’ll discover movies of a few of the most picturesque spots alongside the drive. 

8. Strive the audio tour

For those who don’t wish to take a shuttle tour of the street, you may take a self-guided audio tour. Glacier Nationwide Park employees have recorded a series of podcasts that information you alongside the street. Be taught extra about most of the locations the place you may cease on the drive whilst you hear alongside. Nevertheless, cell service may be sketchy on this journey, so that you’ll wish to obtain these podcasts earlier than you begin…and possibly earlier than you even enter the park. 

RV Leases Close by

There are many choices for RV rentals near Glacier National Park. You’ll discover many trailers and Class C campers accessible to lease for a visit to the park. There are additionally some choices for Class A motorhomes and Class B campervans if you need one thing smaller. 

For those who plan to arrange camp after which go on a sightseeing drive on Going-to-the-Solar Highway, you might wish to think about a trailer when you have a car large enough to tow it. That method, you may arrange your trailer and use your car to discover the park. A campervan is an alternative choice that means that you can journey frivolously and never fear as a lot about dimension restrictions as you’ll with a Class A motorhome. 

Tenting Close to Going To The Solar Highway

There are many choices for tenting close to Going to the Solar Highway, with campgrounds each inside and simply outside Glacier National Park. Take into account that Glacier is likely one of the largest nationwide parks. This implies you’ll wish to think about drive time to and out of your campsite every day. You too can spend just a few days tenting on the east facet of the park, after which spend extra time on the western facet (or vice versa). 

Saint Mary Campground

Saint Mary Campground is alongside Going-to-the Solar Highway. It doesn’t have a lot shade, however there are stunning aspen bushes. You’ll additionally get views of a number of close by mountains together with Singleshot and the Purple Eagle Mountains. St. Mary Lake is close by – it’s too chilly for swimming however is an incredible sight. The campground is on the east facet of the park. The websites wouldn’t have electrical hookups. 

Apgar Campground

Apgar Campground is likely one of the largest and hottest campgrounds within the park. There are 194 campsites, and they’re unfold out with some shade as properly. A few of the websites even have views of Lake McDonald. The campground has no hookups, however there are flush bathrooms and showers accessible. There may be additionally a dump station. Apgar is on the west facet of the park. 

Beargrass Lodging & RV Resort

Beargrass Lodging & RV Resort affords much more facilities than campgrounds contained in the nationwide park. It’s in West Glacier and is a 10-minute drive from the park. The resort has full hookups, WiFi, a pool, and a laundry room. There are RV websites that may accommodate as much as a 45-foot rig.

Necessary Information

For those who’re headed to Glacier Nationwide Park to drive Going-to-the-Solar Highway, right here is a few vital data on the park. 

Park Deal with: PO Field 128, West Glacier, MT 59936
Park Telephone Quantity: (406) 888-7800
Park Facilities: Glacier has a number of lodging and restaurant choices all through the park. There are additionally shops the place you should purchase park merchandise and tenting necessities you might have forgotten to pack. There are boat excursions, horseback using, bus excursions, and guided hikes accessible for visitors. 

Going-to-the-Solar Highway is a jaw-dropping drive previous a few of Glacier’s most well-known sights. You’ll wish to verify the Nationwide Park Service updates on street closures and building plans. However you’re certain to see some wonderful views and make lasting recollections! 

If you wish to expertise the street your self and keep inside or close to Glacier, you may e book an RV with RVshare! Spend your days exploring the park, and retire to your personal house and a cushty mattress every night time. The truth is, RV tenting is a superb approach to see most of the nation’s national parks and scenic spots.