The Loop

At a glance

• Place type: Viewpoint
• Park area: Glacier
• Elevation: About 4,230 feet
• Typical season: July 1 through Oct 21; verify dates on the park website
• Facilities: Restrooms, limited auto parking and a shuttle stop
• Other amenities: Benches, seating and interpretive exhibits
• Trail access: The Loop Trail begins here and connects toward Granite Park Chalet and the Highline Trail

Why visit

The Loop marks the only switchback on the western side of Going-to-the-Sun Road. It also begins the road’s narrow section carved into the mountainside.

Visitors can stop at the viewpoint, read historical or interpretive information, and use the seating. The site also serves hikers heading toward Granite Park Chalet.

Getting there

The Loop sits along Going-to-the-Sun Road in the Glacier area of the park. Parking is available at the site, but spaces are limited. A park shuttle also stops here.

Apgar Visitor Center is about 18 miles away. The listed gateway communities are St. Mary, about 17 miles away, and West Glacier, about 20 miles away. Whitefish is about 34 miles away. These are straight-line distances, not driving distances.

The airports listed for park travel are Glacier Park International Airport and Missoula International Airport. Their airport codes are FCA and MSO.

What to see and do

The road itself is a defining feature of this stop. The Loop is its western side’s only switchback. From here, Going-to-the-Sun Road enters a narrow stretch cut into the mountainside.

The Loop Trail starts here. It climbs 4.2 miles and about 2,600 feet to Granite Park Chalet, where it meets the Highline Trail. Limited parking at The Loop primarily supports hikers using this route.

The site has benches or other seating, along with historical or interpretive displays. Restrooms and shuttle service make it a practical staging point for a hike.

History and nature

The Loop shows how Going-to-the-Sun Road follows steep mountain terrain. At this switchback, the western approach transitions into the road’s narrow, mountainside-cut portion.

Glacier National Park spans the Continental Divide, where contrasting weather systems meet. Moist, warmer Pacific air arrives from the west. Cold, dry Arctic air moves in from the northeast.

This meeting of air masses can produce rapidly changing and severe weather. Summer may bring warm sunshine, but visitors should prepare for other conditions. Winter temperatures can fall far below freezing, and the park usually receives substantial snow.

When to go

The listed season for The Loop runs from July 1 through Oct 21. Check the park’s website before visiting because access dates and conditions can change.

Glacier National Park remains open 24 hours a day throughout the year. The Loop’s seasonal access is more limited than the park’s general operating schedule.

Summer days may be warm and sunny, but conditions are highly variable. Pack layers and check current weather, road information and park alerts before leaving.

Accessibility

The Loop has automobile parking, a shuttle stop, seating, interpretive information and a restroom. Parking is limited.

The facts provided do not include specific information about accessible parking, restroom features, paths, grades or shuttle equipment. Consult the park’s current accessibility information before visiting.

Fees and rules

Glacier National Park charges an entrance fee, including when entrance stations are unattended. Self-payment instructions are posted at each entrance.

• Private vehicle: $35
• Per person: $20
• Motorcycle: $30
• Commercial sedan: $25

Follow all posted rules at The Loop and along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Leave no trace during hikes and stops.

Nearby trails and places

The Loop Shuttle Stop and The Loop parking are at the site. The Granite Park Trail trailhead is also listed at The Loop.

The Loop comfort station is about 0.1 miles away. Westside Tunnel on Going-to-the-Sun Road and West Tunnel Overlook are each about 0.6 miles away.

Granite Park Trail is about 0.4 miles away and about 5.4 miles as mapped. Flattop Mountain Trail is also about 0.4 miles away and about 11.7 miles as mapped.

The National Park Service also describes The Loop Trail route from this site. That climb covers 4.2 miles and gains about 2,600 feet before reaching Granite Park Chalet and the Highline Trail.

Before you go

Check the park’s NPS website for current road conditions, seasonal access, weather and alerts. The Loop’s listed season is July 1 through Oct 21, but conditions may alter access.

Parking is limited, so consider the park shuttle. Carry water, pack layers and prepare for abrupt weather changes. Use the restroom before beginning a hike, follow posted rules and leave no trace.

The park is open 24 hours a day throughout the year. An entrance fee still applies when entrance booths are unstaffed, with payment directions available at entrances.

Questions