Highway 2 Scenic Corridor: Glacier’s Southern Boundary Drive
Last updated July 23, 2026 How we research
A year-round scenic drive along Glacier's southern boundary spanning 56 miles through granite canyons, offering mountain goats, Continental Divide crossings, and fire-lookout views without requiring a park pass.
West Glacier — Western anchor
Essential start point
The gateway where Highway 2 meets Going-to-the-Sun Road — stock up on gas, food, and raft bookings here.
- Last full-service stop before the canyon corridor — gas, groceries, and outfitter bookings essential before heading east
- Gateway to Lake McDonald Lodge and Apgar Visitor Center if you have a park pass
- Combine both routes in one day: Highway 2 morning (Marias Pass, Goat Lick), then Going-to-the-Sun Road afternoon (late June through mid-October only)
Middle Fork of the Flathead River — Miles 10–26 east of West Glacier
Scenic highlight
The scenic corridor that hugs Highway 2 — granite walls, dense pines, and Class II–III rapids ideal for guided raft trips.
- Forms the legal southern boundary of Glacier National Park
- Several free pullouts between West Glacier and Essex for raft watching, fishing, and wildlife spotting
- Many outfitters based in West Glacier and Essex run Class II–III half-day and full-day trips; book in advance for peak July–August
- Federally designated Wild and Scenic River with varying difficulty and pricing by outfitter
The Middle Fork Flathead River corridor provides the scenic river setting between West Glacier and Essex, with pullouts along Highway 2. Guided rafting commonly uses Class II–III sections; check current outfitter dates and conditions before booking.
Goat Lick Overlook — Essex area, ~26 miles east of West Glacier
Best wildlife viewing
One of the most reliable mountain-goat viewing sites in the American West — dozens of goats descend to lick mineral-rich cliff face.
- Short accessible paved path from parking to observation platform with no entrance fee
- Dozens of goats sometimes visible simultaneously in late June and early July — peak season is late May through mid-July
- Goats are most active at dawn and dusk; arriving midday in July you may see only a handful; 6–7 AM or 7 PM visits reward with 30+ animals
- Overlook sits on exposed Roosevelt Fault rock rich in gypsum, kieserite, and sulfates — minerals goats crave
- Dogs must remain leashed at overlook areas along Highway 2
The Izaak Walton Inn sits nearby at Essex — built in 1939 by the Great Northern Railway to house snowplow crews. Today it operates as a year-round lodge popular with railroad enthusiasts, as active BNSF freight trains still rumble past daily. In winter it serves as a cross-country ski hub with groomed tracks connecting to backcountry routes.
Goat Lick Overlook has two overlooks, each about 500 feet one way, reached by smooth, gently sloping asphalt or natural-paving paths. The site is free to visit, has seasonal restrooms, and is accessible directly from Highway 2, about 2 miles southeast of the Walton Ranger Station. Mountain goats may be visible year-round, with the best odds at dawn and dusk; remain at least 25 yards from goats and other wildlife.
Scalplock Lookout Trail — Near Essex, Walton Ranger Station boundary
Best fire-lookout panorama
A strenuous fire-lookout hike with panoramic views across Glacier's southern reaches — no park pass required.
- Historic Scalplock Fire Lookout staffed seasonally by NPS — views extend across Glacier's southern reaches and Bob Marshall Wilderness
- Begins at Walton Ranger Station boundary trailhead directly off Highway 2 near Essex
- First section follows Middle Fork before turning steeply upward through dense forest
- One of the most dramatic vantage points accessible directly from Highway 2 without a park entrance fee
No water sources exist on the trail above the river section — carry 2–3 liters per person. Sun exposure is intense on the open summit ridge, and afternoon thunderstorms build quickly in July and August.
Marias Pass & Continental Divide — ~44 miles east of West Glacier (midpoint)
Historic summit stop
The lowest Continental Divide crossing between Canada and central New Mexico — steeped in exploration and railway history.
- Summit parking includes bronze statue of John Frank Stevens and Theodore Roosevelt Memorial
- Meriwether Lewis named the nearby Marias River after his cousin Maria Wood during the 1805 Corps of Discovery expedition
- Great Northern Railway first charted the route in December 1889; initial train ran in 1893; BNSF freight trains still pass daily
- No park pass required — summit lies within Lewis and Clark National Forest, outside Glacier's fee boundary
- Meadows around the pass bloom with beargrass and wildflowers in July; elk and deer commonly seen at dawn and dusk
- Temperature is 10–15°F cooler than West Glacier even in summer — bring a layer
Marias Pass is a Highway 2 stop outside Glacier National Park on National Forest land, so no park pass is needed for the memorial and pass viewpoint. Check current Montana 511 conditions before crossing in winter.
East Glacier Park & Two Medicine Valley — Eastern terminus (~56 miles from West Glacier)
Best for solitude & lakes
The quiet eastern entry point with uncrowded lakes, waterfalls, and 30+ trail miles — a fraction of Going-to-the-Sun Road crowds.
- East Glacier Park village offers lodging, dining, historic Glacier Park Lodge (built 1913 by Great Northern Railway from Douglas fir), gas, groceries, and Amtrak station
- Two Medicine Valley reached by Highway 49 north (~4 miles), then Two Medicine Road (8 miles, paved) — glacier-carved valley with deep turquoise lakes and waterfalls
- Permit-queue free compared to Going-to-the-Sun Road — no permit requirement for day hiking in 2026
- Popular trails include Upper Two Medicine Lake (9.4 mi round-trip, gentle with modest elevation gain) and Running Eagle Falls (under 1 mi, accessible to all fitness levels)
- Glacier Park Boats operates guided lake tours from late spring through early fall
- Two Medicine Road typically open late May through mid-October; snow closes it mid-October to mid-May
Two Medicine Valley near East Glacier offers lakes, waterfalls, and 30+ miles of trails. For 2026, construction closes Two Medicine Road at the Running Eagle Falls Trailhead beginning September 8, and Two Medicine Campground is closed for construction; check current park notices before planning access farther into the developed area.
Practical Tips & Road Logistics — Highway-wide
Trip essentialsEverything you need to drive Highway 2 smoothly — gas, cell service, vehicle size rules, and passes that work.
- Gas: Fill up in West Glacier or East Glacier — no gas stations in Essex or along the 56-mile corridor
- Cell service: Spotty through canyon sections between West Glacier and Essex — download offline maps before departing
- RVs & trailers: Highway 2 has no vehicle length or width restrictions and is the recommended alternate when RVs are excluded from Going-to-the-Sun Road during peak season (vehicles over 21 ft restricted on certain GTTS sections)
- America the Beautiful Pass ($80 annual) covers the $35/vehicle entry at Two Medicine and West Glacier entrances — available at any park entrance or store.usgs.gov
- Winter driving: Highway 2 is maintained and plowed year-round, unlike Going-to-the-Sun Road (closed October through late June). Check 511.mt.gov for current conditions; mountain snowstorms possible at any time
Highway 2 is free to drive end-to-end, but a Glacier National Park entrance fee applies when entering a designated fee area such as Two Medicine or the West Glacier entrance. In 2026, Glacier's summer entrance fees are $35 per private vehicle for seven days, $30 per motorcycle, and $20 per person on foot or bike; winter rates from November 1 through April 30 are $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person. Fee collection is cashless. No vehicle reservations are required anywhere in Glacier National Park in 2026.
Check live conditions on Montana 511 for US 2 and the NPS road-status page for park roads. Services and fuel are limited along the corridor, cell coverage can be inconsistent, and parking at popular stops is limited; use designated pullouts and do not stop unsafely on the highway. Highway 2 is maintained and plowed year-round but can be icy or stormy at Marias Pass in winter.
Cycling is possible on US 2, but traffic, shoulder conditions, weather, and limited services make it important to check current Montana Department of Transportation and park guidance before riding. RV and trailer travelers should also check current route restrictions rather than assume every vehicle combination is permitted.
Goat Lick Overlook is roughly 56 miles from the Two Medicine turnoff via Highway 2 and MT-49, or about 1 hour 15 minutes without sightseeing stops; current construction or weather closures can change the route and access.
Common Questions
Do I need a Glacier National Park pass to drive Highway 2?
No. Highway 2 is a public US highway running outside the Glacier National Park fee boundary for most of its length. You only pay the $35/vehicle entrance fee if you enter a designated fee area — such as the Two Medicine entrance or the West Glacier park entrance. Marias Pass, Goat Lick Overlook, and all river pullouts along the highway are free.
When is the best time to see mountain goats at Goat Lick Overlook?
Mountain goats may be visible year-round at Goat Lick Overlook. They are most active at dawn and dusk, so plan your visit for early morning or evening rather than midday. The overlook is free and directly accessible from Highway 2, about 2 miles southeast of the Walton Ranger Station, and visitors should remain at least 25 yards from goats.
Is Highway 2 open in winter?
Yes. Highway 2 is maintained and plowed year-round. It is one of the few open routes into the Glacier region when Going-to-the-Sun Road closes. Winter driving requires caution — mountain snowstorms are possible at any time and Marias Pass can be icy. Check current conditions at 511.mt.gov before traveling in winter months.
How do I book a raft trip on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River?
Several outfitters based in West Glacier and Essex offer half-day and full-day guided raft trips on the Middle Fork. The most popular section runs from Essex to West Glacier with Class II–III rapids. Book in advance for peak season (July–August). The Middle Fork is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River, and trip lengths, difficulty, and pricing vary by outfitter.
How long does it take to drive Highway 2 from East Glacier to West Glacier?
Plan about 2 hours for the uninterrupted drive from East Glacier Park to West Glacier, and a full day if you stop for Goat Lick Overlook, Marias Pass, river pullouts, hiking, or Two Medicine.
What are the best stops along Highway 2 near Glacier National Park?
The major stops from west to east are West Glacier, the Middle Fork of the Flathead River pullouts, Goat Lick Overlook near Essex, Scalplock Lookout Trail, Marias Pass, and the East Glacier Park turnoff for Two Medicine Valley.
How far is Goat Lick Overlook from Two Medicine?
Goat Lick Overlook is roughly 56 miles from the Two Medicine turnoff via Highway 2 and MT-49, or about 1 hour 15 minutes without sightseeing stops; current construction or weather closures can change the route and access.
Sources & Further Reading
- National Park Service — Glacier National Park (directions, fees, conditions) — NPS
- NPS — Mountain goat information — NPS
- NPS — Entry fees — NPS
- NPS — Going-to-the-Sun Road seasonal schedule — NPS
- Montana FWP — Fishing regulations and Wild and Scenic River designation — Montana FWP
- America the Beautiful Pass — USGS
- National Park Service — Glacier National Park Directions, Transportation, & Road Conditions — NPS
- National Park Service — Goat Lick Overlook — NPS
- National Park Service — Have Fun and Stay Safe — NPS
- National Park Service — Road Construction and Infrastructure Project Work — NPS
- Montana Department of Transportation — 511MT — Montana Department of Transportation
- U.S. Forest Service — Marias Pass map/materials — U.S. Forest Service
