Going-to-the-Solar Street: An RV Information

Going-to-the-Solar Street is a panoramic mountain street via Glacier Nationwide Park. Driving the street, you’ll encounter mountain vistas, glowing alpine lakes, and presumably a few of the wildlife that roams the park.

Going-to-the-Solar Street, usually known as The Solar Street for brief, is 50 miles lengthy and connects St. Mary and West Glacier. It goes over the Continental Divide via Logan Cross and tops out at 6,646 ft above sea stage at its highest spot.

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

Ideas for RVing Going To The Solar Street

Whereas this can be a stunning street, and seeing it’s positively an incredible factor to do at Glacier Nationwide Park, it may also be a problem. Between park crowds, winding turns, and winter climate, you’ll need to do a little analysis earlier than you truly drive it. Listed here are a couple of suggestions for profiting from your journey.

1. See in the event you want a reservation

Throughout extra standard intervals 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 aspect of The Solar Street and North Fork between 6 am and three pm. From July 1 via September 8, you’ll want a car reservation for Many Glacier from 6 am – 3 pm. You don’t want a reservation exterior of these hours. 

You probably 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 can also make a car reservation at recreation.gov.

2. Ensure that your car could make the drive

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

The velocity 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 Street typically opens in early June and closes once more in October. However openings and closings are dictated by the climate. It will probably take as much as 10 weeks to plow out the street within the spring, and typically the plows solely progress 500 ft in sooner or later. If there was late, heavy snow the street might not open as early as normal. Conversely, if there’s an early snow within the fall, it could shut prior to normal.

Make sure to verify that the street is open if you plan to drive it. You’ll be able to verify street closures on the Glacier NPS web site. 

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 Street as properly. Crimson 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 gasoline stations inside Glacier Nationwide Park. You’ll need to gasoline up earlier than coming into the park, and regulate the gasoline gauge so you have got loads of warning to get extra in the event you want it. Cities simply exterior the park like West Glacier, St. Mary, East Glacier Park Village, and Waterton Lakes have gasoline stations the place you’ll be able to refill. 

6. Plan for street building

The most effective time to drive The Solar Street is, for a similar purpose, one of the best time to work on The Solar Street. Good climate permits crews to get work finished. In the course of the summer time of 2024, there are a number of street building initiatives occurring that would have an effect on your drive. 

The west aspect of the street is within the final part of a yearlong building mission. It’s anticipated to be finished in June. 

The higher McDonald Creek Bridge can also 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’ll be able to verify the street building web page on the Glacier NPS web site for updates. 

7. Plan to cease at many factors of curiosity

Though Going-to-the-Solar Street 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 need 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’ll be able to see a few of these websites forward of time by testing the multimedia web page on the Glacier web site. There, you’ll discover movies of a few of the most picturesque spots alongside the drive. 

8. Strive the audio tour

When you don’t need to take a shuttle tour of the street, you’ll be able to take a self-guided audio tour. Glacier Nationwide Park workers have recorded a collection of podcasts that information you alongside the street. Study extra about most of the locations the place you’ll be able to cease on the drive when you pay attention alongside. Nevertheless, cell service might be sketchy on this journey, so that you’ll need 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 leases close to Glacier Nationwide Park. You’ll discover many trailers and Class C campers accessible to hire for a visit to the park. There are additionally some choices for Class A motorhomes and Class B campervans if you’d like one thing smaller. 

When you plan to arrange camp after which go on a sightseeing drive on Going-to-the-Solar Street, you might need to think about a trailer when you’ve got a car large enough to tow it. That approach, you’ll be able to arrange your trailer and use your car to discover the park. A campervan is an alternative choice that means that you can journey evenly and never fear as a lot about measurement restrictions as you’d with a Class A motorhome. 

Tenting Close to Going To The Solar Street

There are many choices for tenting close to Going to the Solar Street, with campgrounds each inside and simply exterior Glacier Nationwide Park. Needless to say Glacier is likely one of the greatest nationwide parks. This implies you’ll need to think about drive time to and out of your campsite every day. You may also spend a couple of days tenting on the east aspect of the park, after which spend extra time on the western aspect (or vice versa). 

Saint Mary Campground

Saint Mary Campground is alongside Going-to-the Solar Street. It doesn’t have a lot shade, however there are stunning aspen timber. You’ll additionally get views of a number of close by mountains together with Singleshot and the Crimson 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 aspect of the park. The websites would not 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 bogs and showers accessible. There may be additionally a dump station. Apgar is on the west aspect 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

When you’re headed to Glacier Nationwide Park to drive Going-to-the-Solar Street, right here is a few essential data on the park. 

Park Tackle: 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 buy park merchandise and tenting necessities you could have forgotten to pack. There are boat excursions, horseback using, bus excursions, and guided hikes accessible for visitors. 

Going-to-the-Solar Street is a jaw-dropping drive previous a few of Glacier’s most well-known sights. You’ll need to verify the Nationwide Park Service updates on street closures and building plans. However you’re positive 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’ll be able to guide an RV with RVshare! Spend your days exploring the park, and retire to your individual area and a cushty mattress every evening. Actually, RV tenting is an excellent solution to see most of the nation’s nationwide parks and scenic spots.