Rising Sun Picnic Area
A practical east-side pause where Glacier’s mountains meet the prairies.
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An idea to explore—not a must-do.
The full road crossing depends on seasonal access—even in summer.
An idea to explore—not a must-do.
An idea to explore—not a must-do.
In summer, the picnic area has flush toilets with sinks and running water; a vault toilet serves the shoulder season. Bring drinking water in either season.
Natural Attraction
Pause for a picnic at Rising Sun on Glacier’s east side, about 6 miles from the St. Mary Entrance. Summer flush toilets and a shoulder-season vault toilet make it a practical stop, but bring drinking water: the picnic area has none.
MAKE ROOM FOR A MEMORABLE STOP
Is this stop worth your time?
Why go
- Review Summary
- Rising Sun is an east-side picnic stop about 6 miles from the St. Mary Entrance, with seasonal restrooms and no drinking water at the picnic area. The surrounding developed area has a camp store, motor inn, restaurant and campground.
- Family Friendly Notes
- Children should be supervised near lakes and streams; cold water, swift currents, slippery rocks and logs can be hazardous. Stay on designated viewing areas rather than climbing wet rocks.
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- In summer, the picnic area has flush toilets with sinks and running water; a vault toilet serves the shoulder season. Bring drinking water in either season.
- Best Visit Times
- Weekdays in the shoulder seasons
Getting there and doing it
- How To Get There
- About 6 miles (9.6 km) from St. Mary Entrance. Vehicles or vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun; check your vehicle dimensions before driving that stretch.
- Parking Details
- Parking lot available
Getting there & parking
When to go
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Picnic Area
Facilities, fees & access
- Accessibility
- NPS lists flush toilets with sinks and running water in summer, and a vault toilet in the shoulder season. Ask park staff about the current route from parking to the picnic tables and toilets if you need step-free access.
- Nearby Facilities
- The surrounding Rising Sun developed area includes a camp store, cabins, motor inn, restaurant and campground. Those are area facilities, not services operated by the picnic area; drinking water is not listed for this picnic area.
Planning advice
More details
- Park Area
- Rising Sun
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Should I bring my own water?
Yes. NPS says there is no drinking water at this picnic area, so bring what you need.
Are restrooms available here?
Yes. Picnic-area toilets are flush toilets with sinks and running water in summer, and a vault toilet in shoulder season.
Can I bring my dog to the picnic area?
Pets may be in developed picnic and parking areas when leashed up to 6 feet and kept under physical control. Pets are not allowed on park trails, in the backcountry or along lakeshores outside developed locations.
Is this a good stop with children near the water?
Keep children supervised and stay on designated viewing areas. Glacier lakes and streams can be extremely cold, with swift currents and slippery rocks or logs.
Can a large vehicle use the road to Rising Sun?
Vehicles or vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun.
Is parking available for east-side shuttle boarding?
NPS describes abundant parking at Rising Sun for east-side shuttle boarding. Check the current NPS shuttle schedule and allow for changing parking conditions rather than relying on an available space.
More at Glacier National Park
Pyramid Peak
Peak sharpened by glacial ice above Mokowanis Lake; an off-trail scramble deep in the Belly River backcountry.
Grace Lake
Grace Lake: glacial cirque lake at 3,966 ft, reached via the Logging Lake Trail.
Two Medicine Picnic Area
Two Medicine’s lake and peaks reward a future picnic; road access is closed as of September 8, 2026.
Monument Falls
A partly hidden waterfall above Avalanche Lake, distinct from the taller headwall cascades. Plan for lake-and-basin views, not a waterfall-base visit.
Lake McDonald
A west-side lakeshore pause: choose Apgar or Lake McDonald Lodge, then leave room for a separate walk or boat outing.
Saint Mary Lake
Choose Sun Point views, a waterfall hike or a Rising Sun boat tour on Glacier’s eastern lake.
Recommended gear for Glacier National Park
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Sources
- wereintherockies.com
- glaciernationalparklodges.com
- gatherandgotravel.com
- nps.gov
- glacierhighline.com
- parkcabinco.com
- visitmt.com
- wanderlog.com
- hike734.com
- allnewdays.com
- recreation.gov
- thedyrt.com
- aaa.com
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated April 2026. Report an issue.