Helena, MT to The Rising Sun Motor Inn at Glacier National Park

246.31 Miles | 4:33 Riding Time

It’s Sunday, July 7, 2024, and it’s Day 88 of my cross country motorcycle trip.

I’m so excited to be heading back up to Glacier National Park (GNP). The first time I was there, which was only 10 days ago, it was raining. I was able to ride the Going to the Sun Road (GTSR), but it was far less than ideal conditions. So, when I saw that the weather this week was going to be sunny and beautiful, I had to come back.

Today’s ride was basically a direct ride up from Helena, through the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, to Glacier. I got a couple nice clips from the ride, but it was mostly just the plains.

I got to the park around 2:30 PM, so I decided to try to go visit the Many Glacier area. That’s one of the entrances that requires a timed entry reservation, but you can go without one after 3:00 PM. What I didn’t know is that the road to get to the entrance is unpaved, and very rough. I got a mile or so in and turned around. But not before capturing and instant karma moment on my camera. This guy 2 cars back decided to speed past the car behind me and me. Coming the other direction was your friendly US Park Ranger, who turned around and gave chase. Yes!!

I headed down to the Rising Sun Motor Inn, which is inside GNP. I’m spending two nights there, so I can dedicate a full day to riding the GTSR in the park tomorrow. Dinner at Two Dogs Flats Restaurant at the motel was very good, and the staff at both the hotel and restaurant were amazing—friendly, helpful and happy to be in Glacier.

The Route