Going-to-the-Sun Road

Day 1 · ~2.7 mi (4.3 km)

1. 

   1

   Trail of the Cedars

   Avalanche Picnic Area; 0.9-mile boardwalk loop through old-growth cedars beside Avalanche Gorge

   Morning · 45 min · $$

   Walk the 0.9-mile loop on boardwalk and pavement under the old cedars, and stop where Avalanche Creek carves through Avalanche Gorge; listen for American dippers.

2. 

   2

   Avalanche Lake

   2-mile trail from the Trail of the Cedars to a turquoise lake under cliffs

   Morning · 180 min · $$

   Leave the Trail of the Cedars loop on the Avalanche Lake trail, about 2 miles and 500 feet of climb each way, and walk out to the shore.

Day 2 · ~3.9 mi (6.2 km)

1. 

   1

   Upper McDonald Creek Falls

   McDonald Creek above Lake McDonald; roadside falls on the creek beside Going-to-the-Sun Road

   Morning · 15 min · $$

   Pull off by the creek and walk to the bank to watch the water run over the rock ledges.

2. 

   2

   Lake McDonald Lodge

   east shore of Lake McDonald; Swiss-chalet hotel of 1913-1914 whose front door faces the water

   Midday · 30 min · $$

   Walk around to the lake side of the lodge: that was the front entrance, back when guests arrived by boat.

Day 3 · <0.1 mi (<0.1 km)

1. 

   1

   Apgar Village

   foot of Lake McDonald; old homestead settlement turned the park's west-side hub on the shore

   Morning · 45 min · $$

   Walk down to the shore at the foot of Lake McDonald and look up the lake's 10-mile length toward the mountains.