West Tunnel (Going-to-the-Sun Rd)

The West Tunnel at Glacier National Park near West Glacier, Montana is an easy 0.3-mile out-and-back walk that leads to a mountainside tunnel along the Going-to-the-Sun Road that features beautiful views of Heavens Peak, the upper McDonald Creek Valley, and the mountains surrounding Logan Pass.

Exploring the West Tunnel

This very short out-and-back walk begins on the west side of Logan Pass along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, located just south of The Loop. Visitors will find a parking turnout located on the south side of the road, hence the best time to explore the West Tunnel is when you're driving east to west (Logan Pass to Lake McDonald) along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Visitors will walk up the road to reach a paved, but raised, sidewalk that runs through the tunnel. Within the tunnel are three overlooks where you can stop to take-in the views of the upper McDonald Creek Valley, Heavens Peak, and even the alpine mountains that surround Logan Pass.

History

The momentous undertaking to bore out the West Tunnel started in October of 1926 where workers used jackhammers and dynamite, working in double and triple shifts, to remove 192-feet of mountain. When freezing temperatures hit, the workers had to stop their work to return and finish in April of 1927. The workers ended up carving out three overlooks, or observation windows, to provide visitors with stunning views of the surrounding alpine scenery.

Vehicle Reservations

Depending on what time of year you visit, you may need to reserve a vehicle entrance pass to get into the park, in addition to a park entry fee (or annual National Parks pass). Before planning this hike, ensure you've checked the NPS website for when and where Glacier NP vehicle reservations are required.

Parking

Visitors will find a parking turnout located along the south side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, near the coordinates provided. The turnout is large enough to fit less than 10 vehicles as of September 2024. Note that you should only attempt to parking here if driving west back toward Lake McDonald.