Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins: 1940 Lodge on Giong-to-the-Sun Road
Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins was built in 1940, renovated in 2015, and is located on the eastern side of Glacier National Park near St. Mary Lake. There are 72 rooms comprised of rustic cabins and motor inn rooms. What makes staying here special is the fact that you are in a quiet peaceful area and centrally located to everything. Better yet, you will be right on the world famous Going to the Sun Road, only 12 miles from Logan Pass. You will also be a short ¼ mile from St. Mary Lake where you can take a boat tour, or take one of the numerous hiking trails in the area.
Room Types and Amenities
The Rising Sun offers three room types. Each unit offers a private bathroom with either 1 queen sized bed or 2 double(full) sized beds. Cooking is not permitted in or around the cabins.
Store Motel Room
Are motel-style accomodations located in the same building as the general store with a shared interior hallway.
Motor Inn Room
Located on the hillside overlooking the complex and feature motel style accomodations with outside room access.
Cabin Room
Duplex-style rooms located along the roadway which winds through the complex.
Cabin rooms are duplex-style and located along the roadway which winds through the complex.
Amenities
- Down Alternative, eco-smart pillows
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Recycle bin
- Super TopperTM mattress cover
- Alarm clock
- Fan (upon request)
- Iron and ironing board
- Hairdryer
- Coffee maker (Store Motel Rooms excluded)
- Limited Wi-Fi hotspot
- Private bathrooms in all guest rooms.
What's Not Included
- televisions
- air conditioning
- In-room telephones
Book Your Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins Stay Now
Our Stay in Room #27: ADA Motor Inn Room Review
We stayed in a 1-Queen ADA Motor Inn Room during our stay. One of the first things we were impressed with was how perfectly decorated this room was.
From the Red Jammer Bus headboard to the Vacation in Glacier sign on the wall. I have to admit I have never loved a recycled box as much as I did the one in our room! Whoever designed these Red Jammer garbage/recycle boxes is amazing. I wish I could put one in my office they were that fantastic!
We ended up with an ADA Room equipped with hand bars and a walk-in shower. One thing I can say is our queen size bed was super low to the ground. It did not have a box spring under it, making it incredibly low.
The one issue we could see is if you are in a wheelchair or use a walker, you will possibly need to ask assistance to move the Adirondack Chairs that are on the walkway to get to your room.
The other warning I will tell you is there is a concrete block placed next to the path to make it easier to step up to the walkway. Unfortunately, this concrete block is not secured to anything. When we stepped on it the block almost rolled and caused us to fall off the stairs and we were worried it would roll over our ankles or feet.
Two Dog Flats: On-Site Dining with Mountain Views
Two Dog Flats is the only dining option at Rising Sun Motor Inn. The do serve Breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is a family friendly establishment with classic American fare like burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads.
There is a nice big viewing window with great views of Red Eaglr Mountain across St Mary Lake. The food was good, and what you would expect from a National Park Lodge Restaurant.
Planning Your Stay: Location & Essential Details
Closest Airport
(FCA) Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana is 68 miles away and approximately a 2 hour drive.
(MSO) Missoula Montana Airport is roughly 150 miles away
Check-In Time: 4:00 PM
Check Out Time: 11:00 AM
Location - Located 6 miles west of St. Mary Visitor's Center along the Going-to-the-Sun Road inside Glacier National Park. Located 12 miles from Logan Pass.
A limited number of ADA-accessible rooms are available and booked based on the space available.
Only designated guide, service, and/or hearing companion animals are allowed in the facilities.
All rooms and facilities are non-smoking.
Gift Shop - There is a great gift shop in the parking lot of the hotel.
Reserve Your Room at Rising Sun Motor Inn
Best Glacier National Park Tours & Activities
Glacier National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.2 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Experience the Crown Jewl of the National Parks with this self-guided tour. Cruise past crystal-clear glacial lakes, hike across breathtaking alpine tundras, and discover the secrets hidden in this sprawling wilderness. Plus learn about the Blackfoot Confederacy, an ill-fated gold rush, and lots more along the route.
Half Day Scenic Float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🛶 Check Rates and Availability
Relax and unwind as you float the Flathead River as you take in the scenery and learn about the area as you float by. There are opportunities to spot wildlifeas this relaxing and rejuvenating tour takes place on the boundary of Glacier National Park. This tour requires little effort and is great for familieswith small children.
Nature Walk in Glacier National Park
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (730+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | Check Rates and Availability
Meet for a brief orientation then head out to Glacier where you'll explore Glacier's natural wonders on a guided adventure. Start with a 1-mile round trip walk through Lake McDonald Valley, admiring its glaciated beauty and resident wildlife. Then venture to the North Fork Valley with scenic stops along the way. Take another 1-mile roundtrip walk along the wild and scenic North Fork of the Flathead River, learning about the environment and its history.
Book Here before the Rising Sun Motor Inn is sold out
If Rising Sun Motor Inn is Full: Other Glacier Lodges
Glacier Lodging oftentimes fills up months in advance, especially in July and August. Below is a couple lodges near Rising Sun Motor Inn as a backup option.
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Lake McDonald Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Lake McDonald Lodge is one of the Classic lodges in the national park service with a lodge feel. It has epic views of Lake McDonald and a great spot to go hiking, driving the Going to the Sun Road, and taking a boat tour of the lake. THey have several amenities, a gift store, lounge, and a restaurant.
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Many Glacier Hotel - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Many Glacier Hotel is one of the classic National Park Lodges! It's Swiss Chalet design with sweeping views of Swiftcurrent Lake and the mountains in the background simply cant be beat! It's pricey but it's a lodge you will never forget.
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - Glacier Park Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
This is another classic national park lodge. It's lobby, "a three-story Big Tree Lodge" with 60 forty foot long massive Douglas Fir Tree Pillars with a centrally located stone fireplace is absolutely spectacular. Don't forget to bring your clubs and go golfing, enjoy complimentary WiFi, on-site dining at the Great Northern Dining Room, and enjoy Glacier!
⭐️ 4.0 of 5 Stars - Glacier Alpine Lodges - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Located in East Glacier park, this collection of brand new cabins were meticulously designed to blend modern comfort with rustic charm. Each cabin is equipped with a convenient kitchenette and cozy interiors that accomodate up to 4 people.
If you were unable to get into one of these lodges, make sure to check out my Glacier National Park Lodging Guide for a complete breakdown of lodges in Glacier.
Click on the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Yellowstone
Glacier National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Glacier National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$45.00-$145.00 for commercial sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons), $25.oo for vehicle plus $20.00 per person 16+.
$75.00 for a commercial van with 7-15 seats
$100 for a commercial mini-bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for a commercial motor coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Additional Glacier National Park Resources
- Complete Guide to Glacier National Park
- Things to do in Glacier NP
- Lake McDonald
- Glacier NP Camping Guide
- Epic Guide to the Going to the Sun Raod
Check out all of the Montana National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Wyoming, National Parks in South Dakota, North Dakota National Parks, and Idaho National Parks.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Rising Sun Motor Inn Additional Photos
Leave a Reply