Population 318
Located near North Cascades National Park (emerginghorizons.com/barrier-free-travel-washington-national-parks-for-wheelers-and-slow-walkers/), Marblemount is a good place to stop on a Washington state road trip. And since there are no hotels in the park, it’s also a good place to spend the night. The North Cascades Inn has a wheelchair accessible room that’s furnished with a queen-sized bed, and includes a bathroom with a roll-in shower. And although there is a two-inch lip on the shower, because of the placement of the built-in shower bench, it’s still possible to transfer. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the accessible trails in the park near Newhalem. Top picks include the Sterling Munro Boardwalk (.5 mile), To Know a Tree Nature Trail (.5 mile) and the Trail of the Cedars (.3 mile). And don’t miss one of Marblemount’s most unusual attractions — the Wildwood Chapel. This tiny chapel seats just nine people, and it’s a scenic photo op.
Even with vehicle reservations required in Glacier National Park (emerginghorizons.com/national-park-entrance-reservations-required-in-2024/) the summer traffic along Going-to-the-Sun Road can get pretty congested. In fact, the parking lot at Logan Pass usually fills up by 10 AM. There is an alternate solution though. Ride the free wheelchair-accessible Glacier National Park shuttle. The Glacier National Park shuttles run from July 1 to Labor Day; and on a limited basis for the first few weeks in September. And even though there may be a slight wait for the next bus, you won’t waste your time passing by scenic viewpoints or searching for parking places. It’s the smart way to visit Glacier National Park.
The Basics
Do you need a vehicle entrance reservation in order to ride the shuttle? No, at least not for 2025. Both the Apgar Visitor Center and the St. Mary Visitor Center are outside of the 2025 vehicle entrance reservation checkpoints.
Visitors also have two shuttle choices. They can take the regular shuttle which stops at points along the way, and offers transfer service to the entire length of Going-to-the-Sun Road; or opt for the express service which offers nonstop service from the east and west sides to and from Logan Pass.
Take the Glacier National Park Shuttle
The regular Glacier National Park Shuttle runs seven days a week, from 8 AM to 7 PM.
The west side route runs from Apgar Visitor Center to Logan Pass and includes the following stops.
Lake McDonald Lodge
Sprague Creek Campground
Lake McDonald Lodge
Avalanche Creek (transfer point)
The Loop
The east side route runs from the Saint Mary Visitor Center to Logan Pass with the following stops.
Picnic area at Sun Point
Rising Sun Boat Dock
Sun Point (transfer point)
Sunrift Gorge
Saint Mary Falls
Jackson Glacier Overlook
Siyeh Bend
It is possible to traverse the entire length of Going-to-the-Sun Road on the regular shuttle; however you will have to transfer. The transfer points and approximate length of the journey are listed below.
St Mary Visitor Center
Apgar Visitor Center – Avalanche Creek (30 minutes)
Avalanche Creek – Logan Pass (50 minutes)
Logan Pass – Sun Point (30 minutes)
Sun Point – St. Mary Visitor Center (20 minutes)
There can be a 10 to 40 minute wait between buses, depending on the crowds. Again, the crowds increase later in the day.
Alternatively, a morning express shuttle runs from both sides of the park to Logan Pass, with no stops along the way. The express shuttle departs from Apgar Visitor Center from 7 AM to 8:30 AM; and from Saint Mary Visitor Center from 8 AM to 8:45 AM. The express shuttle only operates from July 1 to Labor Day.
It’s important to remember that the last shuttle departs from Logan Pass at 7 PM. That said if you are in line at 7 PM and the bus is full, rest assured you will be accommodated on another bus. Best bet is to try and get back to your starting point earlier in the day, to avoid that last minute rush.
Wheelchair-Accessible Activities Along the Way
Of course the best way to enjoy the day on Going-to-the-Sun Road is to pack a picnic lunch and stop at some of the wheelchair-accessible trails and viewpoints along the route. A few of the most accessible Glacier National Park shuttle stops are listed below, along with a some wheelchair-accessible activities to make the most of your visit.
Lake McDonald Lodge
Lake McDonald dock
Enjoy a cruise on Lake McDonald through the Glacier Park Boat Company (www.glacierparkboats.com). The boat features ramp access, but some power wheelchair-users may have a problem accessing the bow space if they can’t make a tight 90-degree turn.
Avalanche Creek
Trail of the Cedars
Hike the accessible Trail of the Cedars, which begins near the campground and winds .8 miles through the woods.
The Loop
This viewpoint offers a scenic view of Heavens Peak, from the paved overlook in the upper parking area or near the accessible parking spot in the lower area.
Logan Pass
Logan Pass
Don’t miss the quarter-mile paved interpretive path behind the visitor center!
Jackson Glacier Overlook
View from the Jackson Glacier Overlook
One of the best spots along Going-to-the-Sun Road for an accessible glacier view.
Sun Point
A nice lunch stop. There are several accessible picnic tables sheltered by a small grove of trees.
Rising Sun Boat Dock
Rising Sun boat dock
The Glacier Park Boat Company also offers a St. Mary Lake cruise that may work for some slow walkers. There is a step down to board the boat, but employees are on hand to assist with boarding. Manual wheelchair-users can stay in their chairs for the length of the 1.5-hour cruise.
Barrier-Free Travel Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
Known as the “Crown of the Continent” because the Continental Divide bisects the park, Glacier National Park encompasses more than a million acres of coniferous forests, alpine meadows, pristine lakes and glacier-carved peaks. The wildlife in the park is just as diverse at the landscape that supports it, and it includes elk, bighorn sheep, moose, and one of the largest remaining grizzly populations in the lower 48 states.
Insider Tips
A well kept secret along Going-to-the-Sun Road, Red Rock Point offers a beautiful view of McDonald Creek cascading down over the massive red rocks. The turnout is located about a mile north of the Trail of the Cedars on the left side of the road. Keep your eyes peeled when you get close, as there is absolutely no signage to mark the overlook. There’s accessible parking near a hard-packed dirt path that leads .06 miles out to a boardwalk viewing platform.
Although the historic Red Buses of Glacier National Park are not wheelchair-accessible, Xanterra Parks and Resorts has two wheelchair-accessible vehicles in their. The lift-equipped buses have roll-up plastic flaps on the windows, and passengers get a full view of everything around them, thanks to an on-board camera and monitors Even better — the accessible vehicle is booked solely for your party, so you get a private tour at the regular tour price.
In addition to an entrance fee or a park pass, a day use entrance reservation is also required for Glacier National Park visitors during peak visitation periods in the summer. Entrance reservations are currently required for the West Entrance Station, the Camas Entrance Station and Many Glacier Valley. That said the park adjusts the system annually, so check the park website for the most current information. Entrance reservations are not available at the park. They must be purchased at recreation.gov in advance. Visitors without an entrance reservation will not be admitted.
Population 318
