West Tunnel
1927 tunnel with two carved windows framing Heavens Peak — walk the sidewalk through, park at the pullouts below The Loop.
Most drivers experience the tunnel as two seconds of dark — the windows only reveal themselves on foot.
The masonry here is original 1920s work, cut before modern explosives; look at the tool-faced rock inside.
Never stop a vehicle inside the tunnel. On foot, stay on the sidewalk - it is narrow and traffic passes close. Watch for cyclists sharing the tunnel.
Any time the alpine road is open — the windows face the valley, so midday to afternoon puts the best light on Heavens Peak.
Natural Attraction
The West Tunnel is the road doing something no viewpoint can: it takes you through the mountain and then shows you the view through two carved windows. Finished in 1927, the 192-foot tunnel was cut into the cliff just below The Loop, and its twin alcove openings frame Heavens Peak and the Upper McDonald Creek valley like a pair of stone picture frames. There's a pedestrian sidewalk through the tunnel, so park at the pullouts below and walk it — stopping a car inside isn't allowed. Driving west-to-east, this is the overture: the moment the forest drive officially becomes the cliff drive.
Getting there & parking
- How To Get There
- About mile 23.6 on Going-to-the-Sun Road, a half-mile below (west of) The Loop, where the climb to Logan Pass begins. Park at the small pullouts just downhill of the tunnel mouth and walk the pedestrian sidewalk through. Accessible only while the alpine section is open, typically late June through mid-October.
- Road Type
- Paved Going-to-the-Sun Road at the start of the alpine section - the 21-ft vehicle length limit applies from Avalanche to Rising Sun.
- Parking Availability
- A few small pullouts just west of the tunnel - room for only a handful of cars. If full, park at The Loop and approach on foot with care.
- GPS Coordinates
- 48.751071, -113.788877
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- Any time the alpine road is open — the windows face the valley, so midday to afternoon puts the best light on Heavens Peak.
- Best Visit Times
- Midday to afternoon for light in the windows; pair with The Loop to make one parking effort cover both stops.
- Seasonal Access
- Open only while the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road is open - typically late June through mid-October, varying with snowpack.
- Road Opening Dates
- Alpine section typically opens late June (June 22 in 2026) and closes in mid-October, varying with snowpack.
- Weather Patterns
- Alpine-edge weather - conditions shift quickly as the road climbs beyond the tunnel.
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- 1927 road tunnel with view windows
- Main Features
- 192-ft tunnel completed 1927, two carved alcove windows framing Heavens Peak and the Upper McDonald Creek valley, pedestrian sidewalk, original 1920s masonry
- What Youll See
- Two stone-framed windows cut through the cliff, each composing Heavens Peak and the valley below like a deliberate photograph - because they were deliberate. Inside, the tool-faced rock shows the pre-explosives handwork of the 1920s crews.
- Unique Characteristics
- The only place on the road where the view is framed by the mountain itself. Together with the hand-dug East Tunnel on the far side of Logan Pass, it bookends the alpine section.
- Photo Opportunities
- Shoot from inside the window alcoves out toward Heavens Peak - midday to afternoon light. The tunnel mouth with traffic emerging works from the lower pullout.
- Geological Formation Type
- Cliff-cut tunnel through glacially steepened valley wall, 1920s masonry
Facilities, fees & access
- Entry Fees
- $35 per private vehicle (7-day summer pass) for park entrance. No additional fee.
- Permits Required
- 0
- Restrooms Available
- 0
- Picnic Areas
- 0
- Accessibility
- Pedestrian sidewalk runs the length of the tunnel from the pullout — level but narrow. The tunnel windows are reachable without stairs.
- Nearby Services
- Pit toilets at The Loop. Nearest food and water at Lake McDonald Lodge, about 12 miles west.
- Nearby Facilities
- None at the tunnel. Pit toilets at The Loop, a half-mile uphill. Nearest food and water at Lake McDonald Lodge, about 12 miles west.
- Family Friendly Notes
- The sidewalk keeps walkers separated from traffic, but it's a real road tunnel — keep kids on the walkway and expect vehicle noise. The windows are safely railed alcoves.
Safety
- Safety Considerations
- Never stop a vehicle inside the tunnel. On foot, stay on the sidewalk - it is narrow and traffic passes close. Watch for cyclists sharing the tunnel.
Nearby
- Nearby Attractions
- The Loop a half-mile up - the road's only hairpin and the Highline Trail exit. Bird Woman Falls Overlook about 3 miles up. Avalanche area about 7 miles west.
Planning advice
- Insider Tips
- Most drivers experience the tunnel as two seconds of dark — the windows only reveal themselves on foot.
- The masonry here is original 1920s work, cut before modern explosives; look at the tool-faced rock inside.
- Photograph FROM a window, not OF the tunnel: Heavens Peak sits centered in the north opening.
- Tips Advice
- Don't stop inside the tunnel — park at the small pullouts just downhill and use the pedestrian sidewalk.
- The two windows are the point: walk to them, don't just drive through.
- Combine with The Loop a half-mile up — one parking effort covers both.
- The 21-ft vehicle length limit applies on this stretch.
Continue the drive
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Can I stop inside the West Tunnel?
No — there's no stopping in the tunnel. Park at the small pullouts just below it and walk the pedestrian sidewalk through instead.
What do the tunnel windows look out on?
The two carved alcove openings frame Heavens Peak and the Upper McDonald Creek valley — they were built as intentional viewpoints, not vents.
When was the West Tunnel built?
It was completed in 1927, cut 192 feet through the cliff below The Loop, in the era before modern blasting — the interior rock still shows the handwork.
Is there a second tunnel on the road?
Yes — the East Tunnel, on the other side of Logan Pass, runs 408 feet through Piegan Mountain and was dug entirely by hand. The two make natural bookends for the alpine section.
Where should I park to see it?
Small pullouts sit just downhill (west) of the tunnel mouth. They hold only a few cars — if they're full, park at The Loop a half-mile up and walk down the shoulder carefully.
More at Glacier National Park
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Numa Peak
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Pyramid Peak
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Grace Lake
Grace Lake: glacial cirque lake at 3,966 ft, reached via the Logging Lake Trail.
Mount Vaught
8,854 ft peak in the Livingston Range; scrambling ascent; Belt Supergroup rocks thrust by Lewis Overthrust.
Rising Sun Picnic Area
Pizza with a crispy crust and handmade sauce; big views over St. Mary Lake.
Sources
- 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 August 2026. Report an issue.