Montana has many nicknames, some of them seem strange but others make perfect sense. One of these perfectly fitting nicknames is “Land of the Shining Mountains”. With the rugged Rocky Mountains splitting the state, there is no shortage of beautiful mountains and awe-inspiring peaks in Montana.
Throughout the Rocky Mountains in Montana, there are more than 100 named peaks, 77 named ranges, and numerous sub-ranges that all offer visitors and locals amazing opportunities for climbing, hiking, and exploring.
Add to that, the iconic Glacier National Park with some of the most amazing views, glaciers, and some of North America’s most impressive wildlife species, and you’ve got a nearly perfect place to enjoy mountain views, hikes, and great climbing opportunities.
If you are planning your visit to Montana, or if you are living here and need a few new spots to check out, here are 25 of the best mountains in Montana that every visitor and local should not miss.
Best Mountains in Montana – 25 You Need to See
- Granite Peak
- Divide Mountain
- Mount Grinnell
- Mount Gould
- Triple Divide Peak
- Holland Peak
- Mount Oberlin
- Rising Wolf Mountain
- Painted Tepee Peak
- Flinsch Peak
- Trapper Peak
- Stanton Mountain
- East Saint Marys Peak
- Gray Wolf Peak
- Appistoki Peak
- Grizzly Mountain
- Rocky Mountain
- Kupunkamint Mountain
- Ajax Peak
- Mount Rearguard
- Gash Point
- Mad Wolf Mountain
- Tinkham Mountain
- Sinopah Mountain
- Crowfeet Mountain
The Full List of the 25 Best Mountains in Montana
Our 25 best mountains in Montana have lots to offer to visitors and locals. From great views, perfect photo opportunities, and hiking and climbing.
Here’s what you need to know about 25 of the best mountains in Montana.
1. Granite Peak
Granite Peak is all things that make a great mountain. First, it’s big. Actually, Granite Peak is the tallest peak in Montana. Rising 12,799 feet above sea level, this peak towers over its neighbors.
If the height doesn’t impress you, then maybe the sheer walls, glaciers, and knife-edge appearance will.
Granite Peak is located in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, a remote area that is roadless and free from motorized vehicles.
This peak is the 10th highest, state high point in the United States, and it is considered to be the second most difficult to climb after Mount Denali in Alaska. The first successful summit climb was accomplished in August of 1923.
Today, there are a few routes up Granite Peak. Most people attempting to summit Granite Peak use the Couloir route that starts on the southwest side of the peak near Cooke City. This route is non-technical and takes approximately two days to complete.
The technical routes (there are four popular climbs) take two to three days with most climbers staying at the Froze-to-Death Plateau. These routes are accessible from Columbus, Montana.
2. Divide Mountain
Divide Mountain is an imposing peak located south of the town of St. Mary, Montana. This bold peak rises 8,670 feet above sea level and forms a portion of the border between Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Divide Mountain is a popular mountain in Montana thanks to its easy ascent. Beginner climbers and hikers flock to Divide Mountain to enjoy easier climbs that are both challenging but achievable for most climbers. Most of the land that Divide Mountain lies on is within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Hikers and climbers need to acquire a Tribal Recreation License before heading out. Much of the area around Divide Mountain was burned during the Red Eagle Fire. The burn scars are still evident, and the lost timber makes Divide Mountain seem even more imposing.
Visitors to Divide Mountain are rewarded with aspen groves, wildlife, and some of the most prolific wildflower meadows in Montana.
Views at the top of Divide Mountain include the town of St. Mary, Yellow Mountain, and the Rocky Mountains that pass through Glacier National Park.
3. Mount Grinnell
Mount Grinnell is one of the most breathtaking mountains in Glacier National Park. It is also one of the most frequently photographed peaks as well.
This mountain is located in the Many Glacier Area of the park. It sits between Mount Gould and Mount Wilbur. Hiking to Mount Grinnell is one of the more popular activities for visitors to Glacier National Park.
There are several trails of varying difficulty that can be taken to Mount Grinnell. The most popular, however, is the Granite Park Chalet Trail. This trail provides great views of the Lewis and Livingston Ranges as well as the peaks located in the McDonald Area.
The hike to Mount Grinnell is challenging at 13 miles round-trip, with approximately 4,550 feet of elevation gain to reach the summit of this peak which is 8,551 feet high. From the summit, you’ll have views of Mount Wilbur, Iceberg Mountain, and Mount Gould.
Wildlife viewing is one of the highlights on this trail with frequent glimpses of grizzly bears, black bears, elk, moose, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and others.
4. Mount Gould
Rising above Lake Josephine Mount Gould is another peak that is found in many of the iconic photographs of Glacier National Park. This peak is the tallest point in the Garden Wall, a defining geologic feature along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
From this perspective, Mount Gould is unimpressive, however, when viewed from the east, along the shores of Lake Josephine, Mount Gould is awe-inspiring.
Mount Gould is easily accessed from the trail to Grinnell Glacier which starts in the Many Glacier Area along the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.
Mount Gould actually forms the backdrop to Grinnell Glacier, one of the 26 remaining glaciers in Glacier National Park. The summit of Mount Gould is at 9,553 feet and has an easy route from the Grinnell Glacier trail.
5. Triple Divide Peak
Triple Divide Peak is not only an impressive peak to view, but it is also quite unique from a geologic standpoint as well. Triple Divide Peak is 8,020 feet above sea level and is located in the Lewis Range of the Rocky Mountains.
The Continental Divide runs through this area creating two different climates which allow for some of the most diverse flora and fauna in Montana.
The peak is named such because water that runs from the peak can end up in one of three oceans: the Pacific, the Atlantic, or the Arctic Ocean. There are few places in the United States where this happens.
The 16-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Triple Divide Peak takes most people two days, though some people chose to spread the hike over three days. The trail starts at the Cut Bank trailhead and climbs almost 3,000 feet to the summit.
6. Holland Peak
As the highest peak in the Swan Range and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, this peak is one of the less well-known peaks in Montana, but it is also one of the most beautiful.
Rising 9,356 feet, this peak is accessible from a trail that starts near the town of Condon in Swan Valley. The hike is a 9.1-mile out and back trail, with an imposing 5,000 feet of elevation gain.
From the summit, you are rewarded with views of Swan Valley to the west and Bob Marshall Wilderness to the east.
From this point you’ll also have great views of many of the other impressive peaks of the Swan Range. The west face of Holland Peak is well known and frequently photographed. Its sheer, rugged rock face rising above Rumble Creek Lake is another iconic Montana image.
Rumble Creek Lakes (upper and lower) are popular with anglers, and frequently there are more anglers scrambling up the trail than there are hikers.
7. Mount Oberlin
If you are standing on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Mount Oberlin seems like an imposing peak that would challenge even the most experienced hiker or climber.
However, many people are surprised to find that the 8,810-foot-tall Mount Oberlin is actually one of the easiest peaks in Glacier National Park to summit.
The 4-mile trail that takes you to the top of Mount Oberlin is well defined, and much of it is the same trail that was established by Lyman B. Sperry in 1896.
The trailhead to Mount Oberlin is located off the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass. Along the trail, you’ll be wowed with views of the Lewis and Livingston Mountain ranges, the Garden Wall, and Mount Gould.
8. Rising Wolf Mountain
In the Blackfeet language, Mahkuyi-opuahsin means, “The way the wolf gets up.” It’s a fitting name for this massive mountain that rises above the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park.
Rising Wolf Mountain is the first peak you’ll see as you enter Glacier National Park from the Southeast. Like the animal that it is named after, Rising Wolf Mountain is not an easy one to summit, so many visitors to Glacier National Park prefer to enjoy the views of this peak from the valley and the shores of Two Medicine Lake.
There are three routes to the summit of Rising Wolf Mountain, all of which are fairly challenging. Though the trails are fairly short, you can expect a full day of hiking for all three, so starting early is imperative.
Reaching the summit involves 4,500 feet of elevation gain and some careful route selection at the top where you’ll have to manage cliffs.
9. Painted Tepee Peak
This peak is aptly named thanks to its nearly perfect pyramidal shape. Painted Tepee Peak is one of the most prominent peaks in the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park.
From the shore of Two Medicine Lake, you’ll have perfect views of this peak that sits between Two Medicine Pass and Chief Lodgepole Peak.
When looking at the Peak from the lake, it seems to be a challenging summit, however, Painted Tepee Peak is actually a very easy hike, even with the scramble over the last bit of rock to get to the top.
From the 7,650-foot summit of Painted Tepee Peak, you’ll enjoy views of numerous surrounding peaks, the valley and Two Medicine Lake.
Use the Cobalt Lake trailhead from Two Medicine ranger station. If you want to take a bit of distance off your hike, take the ferry across Two Medicine Lake.
10. Flinsch Peak
Located approximately 2.3 miles west of Rising Wolf Mountain, and surrounded by glacial lakes, Flinsch Peak is often called the Matterhorn of Two Medicine Area.
At one time this peak was a rounded hill until glaciers carved away to soft material, leaving the hard rock core behind. Despite its rugged appearance, Flinsch Peak is a fairly easy climb, especially if you are approaching from Dawson Pass.
You can also access the peak from the North Shore trailhead. From the summit at 9,225 above sea level, Flinsch Peak offers views of some of the highest peaks in the Two Medicine Area.
11. Trapper Peak
As the tallest peak in the Bitterroot Mountains, Trapper Peak is also one of the more popular climbs in Montana.
Reaching 10,157 feet above sea level, many people enjoy the views of this peak from the point of interest sign south of Darby, MT. The height and multiple trail routes make this peak the most popular peak in the Bitterroots for climbing.
The trails to the summit offer differing levels of difficulty, distance, and elevation gains. Additionally, depending on your skill level, and desire for adventure, trails to the summit of Trapper Peak can take from a partial day to a two-day round-trip adventure.
Trapper Peak and its surrounding area are located in a designated wilderness area, so hikers and backpackers should be aware of wilderness regulations and should be knowledgeable about proper safety measures for wildlife encounters.
12. Stanton Mountain
Though one of the “shorter” mountains in Glacier National Park, Stanton Mountain may be one of the most picturesque. This peak that reaches 7,750 feet above sea level rises a modest 4,500 feet above Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park.
Stanton Mountain is part of the Livingston Range of the Rocky Mountains. It sits near Apgar Village and is considered an easy hike.
The out and back distances are only 7.5 miles and most of that is on a well-maintained trail. Most experienced hikers can reach the summit of Stanton Mountain in around 3-hours.
From the summit, you’ll enjoy views of Mount Vaught, Mount Cannon, Mount Brown, and Heavens Peak. Looking down you’ll see Apgar Village and Lake McDonald.
For the adventurous hiker, Mount Vaught is just a short walk across the ridge line. However, this is a narrow trail and is not for the faint of heart.
13. East Saint Marys Peak
While much of the Mission Mountain range is inaccessible, East Saint Marys Peak is one mountain in the range that is popular with climbers and is one of a few peaks in Montana that can be safely climbed during the winter.
East Saint Marys Peak sits at an elevation of 9,425 feet above sea level. There are a few trails that lead to the summit of East Saint Marys, however, the southeast ridge route is the most popular, especially for winter hikers because there is little danger of avalanches along this route.
The trailhead for East Saint Marys is located near Saint Ignatius. East Saint Marys does lie within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation, so you will need to acquire a Reservation hiking permit before heading out for East Saint Marys.
14. Gray Wolf Peak
Gray Wolf Peak is the neighboring peak of East Saint Marys. This other major peak in the southernmost part of the Mission Mountains is an imposing wall of rock reaching 9,001 feet above sea level.
While Gray Wolf Peak looks unimpressive from the north and the west, it is the approach from the south that makes this peak so magnificent. Sheer rock walls define Gray Wolf Peak and make it a task only for experienced climbers.
On a good day, this peak isn’t considered to be technical, but portions are challenging enough to push even the most experienced climbers. This peak is known for challenging weather conditions which can turn quickly and make this climb dangerous.
The climb is a solid full day when the weather is good, so make sure you plan your trek on a day with pristine weather conditions.
15. Appistoki Peak
Appistoki Peak is another impressive peak in the Two Medicine Valley. The 8,164-foot high peak is easily seen from Two Medicine Lake. Named by R.T. Evans, whose Blackfoot guide misunderstood his request, the peak is named for the Blackfoot god who looks over everything.
This is a fitting name as the views from the summit of Appistoki Peak really do look over a substantial amount of the Two Medicine Valley. There are three main trail routes to the summit of Appistoki Peak.
None of the trail options are considered to be difficult and can easily be accomplished by most hikers with some amount of experience.
Many people enjoy the route from Scenic Point Ridgewalk Trail, which can take longer (around 10 hours), but has the least elevation gain (500 feet) to reach the summit of Appistoki Peak.
Appistoki Peak can be climbed year-round, however, in the winter winds can be substantial with speeds up to 100 miles per hour.
16. Grizzly Mountain
Straddling the Continental Divide in the Two Medicine Area of Glacier National Park, Grizzly Mountain is one of the most impressive, and largest mountains in Glacier National Park.
It is also one of the most accessible mountains in the Park. The trail to the summit of Grizzly Mountain is 11 miles long from trailhead to the summit. The last bit of the hike involves a bit of trailblazing and a scramble up a bit of loose rock.
It’s not terribly difficult but can be challenging depending on the time of year. Grizzly Mountain provides amazing views of the Two Medicine Lake, and as you cross Two Medicine Pass on the trail, the views will leave you feeling small, as the peaks in this area are quite substantial.
17. Rocky Mountain
Rocky Mountain is situated in the middle of the Sawtooth Range in the heart of “The Bob”, a wilderness area made of three designated federal wilderness areas:
Bob Marshall, Great Bear, and the Scapegoat. The remote nature of this area, combined with the restrictions on motorized vehicles makes this area perfect for the climber that wants a bit of solitude.
At 9,392 feet, Rocky Mountain is the highest point in the Sawtooth range. Access to Rocky Mountain is from the Headquarters Creek Pass and Our Lake trailhead. Which is just 1 mile from the Mill Falls Campground and Recreation Area.
18. Kupunkamint Mountain
Kupunkamint Mountain gains its notoriety in Glacier National Park because of its name. This mountain isn’t particularly rugged or frequently photographed. It does however have a unique story about how it got its name.
In 1940 the United States Board on Geographic Names gave this mountain its name to honor the Kootenai Indian Tribe. Before 1940, this mountain was known simply as Double Mountain.
This 8,797-foot mountain may not be particularly unique but it is one of the higher peaks in the Lewis Range, and it offers hikers and climbers outstanding views of the surrounding mountain peaks.
Kupunkamint Mountain is a challenging hike in that there is no real defined trail. Getting to the summit is a lesson in bushwhacking. Start your hike at the Cut Bank Campground.
19. Ajax Peak
Straddling the Continental Divide in the far north part of the Beaverhead Mountains, Ajax Peak rises over 10,000 feet above sea level. This massive peak is large enough to be seen from Idaho.
Ajax Peak and the Ajax Lake basin are a part of Montana’s colorful mining history. The famous Ajax Mine was on the south side of the Lake basin just below the peak.
As you hike to the Peak, the mine shaft can still be seen. Visitors can drive a rough road to the mine shaft, and an old mining cabin is located on the shore of Ajax Lake.
The trail to the summit of Ajax Peak is a short 4.6 mile out and back. It is a moderately difficult trail and takes most people around 4 hours to complete. The challenge in this hike lies with the 2,316 feet of elevation gain over just a few short miles.
20. Mount Rearguard
Mount Rearguard is one of only 27 peaks in Montana that rise above 12,000 feet in elevation. At 12,204 feet, Mount Rearguard is the highest peak in the Beartooth Mountain Range’s Hellroaring Plateau.
Mount Rearguard is a popular spot for recreation year-round. In the spring and summer, the mountain is full of hikers that utilize one of the three popular routes to the summit. In the winter, there are plenty of opportunities for skiing down portions of the mountain.
The area around Mount Rearguard is a popular place to camp, with a number of nice forest service campgrounds in the area along with some beautiful backcountry campgrounds.
21. Gash Point
Gash Point is one of the peaks in Montana that isn’t well-known or frequently used by hikers. The 8,886-foot peak is a high point in the Bitterroot Mountains and is located near the town of Victor.
Gash Point and Gash Creek, two features in this part of the Bitterroot Mountains, are named for Jim Gash who lived in the area during the 1870s.
For many years, hiking to the summit of Gash Point was very challenging due to the dense undergrowth in the forest. In 2006, a wildfire burned over 8,500 acres of forest near Gash Point.
This cleared much of the dense undergrowth making it easier to find the trail, and the hike is now quite pleasant and a nice trail to view wildlife that is returning to the area.
Gash Point is located in a federally designated wilderness area, so make sure that prior to accessing the mountain you are aware of wilderness-specific rules and regulations.
22. Mad Wolf Mountain
Rising dramatically from the plains on the east border of Glacier National Park is Mad Wolf Mountain. At 8,341 feet in elevation, Mad Wolf Mountain is the 5th highest point in Glacier National Park.
Wolves are very important to the Blackfeet Culture and this peak was long called Mount Siyeh, a Blackfeet word that means a crazy or rabid wolf.
Today, Mad Wolf Mountain is named for a Blackfoot warrior who recovered a sacred bow from a rival tribe. Both names show the importance of this Mountain to the Blackfoot Tribe.
Trails to Mad Wolf Mountain start near Cut Bank Campground. You can also access Mad Wolf Mountain from gravel roads within the Blackfoot Reservation. To access these roads, you’ll need to purchase a tribal recreation permit from local businesses on the Reservation or in Browning, MT.
23. Tinkham Mountain
Named after Lieutenant A.W. Tinkham, an Army engineer that was supposed to be looking for Marias Pass in the Fall of 1853, but instead found what is today named Pitamakan Pass.
Tinkham was lost, but he was also the first European man to document his crossing of a pass. Like Tinkham’s error, Tinkham Mountain seems unassuming.
However, as you travel the ridge that connects Tinkham Mountain to Cut Bank Pass, and you start to see the dramatic rock face and the almost tooth-like appearance, Tinkham Mountain becomes anything but unassuming.
The draw to this Mountain located in the Two Medicine Area of Glacier National Park is the relatively easy ascent to the summit. The trail starts at Two Medicine Campground and travels 10.5 miles to the summit.
The trail is easy to follow, except for the last 1.5 miles, and you’ll have to follow a bit of a goat path to the top. Over the course of the 10.5 miles, you climb 3,279 feet in elevation, to reach the summit of Tinkham Mountain that sits at 8,442 feet above sea level.
24. Sinopah Mountain
Rising dramatically from the west side of Two Medicine Lake, Sinopah Mountain is another peak in Glacier National Park that is a frequent subject of photographers.
Sinopah, which means “kit fox” in Blackfoot, was the name of the Blackfoot woman who was the wife of Hugh Monroe and the daughter of Lone Walker, an influential Blackfeet chief.
The 8,271-foot peak is not the tallest in the Two Medicine Area, but it is the most distinctive. It is also a popular climb for visitors to Glacier National Park who is looking for a hike that is quiet and free of the crowds found in other parts of the park.
There are a number of trails that will take you up Sinopah Mountain. Some are easy day hikes. Others can become multi-day walks to other parts of the park.
For hikers that want to shorten their hike, a ferry travels across Two Medicine Lake, reducing the hike by a couple of miles.
25. Crowfeet Mountain
When you first see Crowfeet Mountain looking from the west, it seems to be a soft, rounded peak. However, as you change your perspective, Crowfeet Mountain is anything but soft, it becomes a steep, rugged peak with an almost vertical face that makes even the bravest of climbers a bit nervous.
The 8,914-foot-high Crowfeet Mountain is accessed on a trail with two other peaks: Mount Henkle and Apikuni Mountain.
These three mountains are tucked into the Lewis Range in the Many Glacier Area of the park. For many visitors to Glacier National Park, this is the perfect way to get three great mountain vistas in one day.
These three peaks are also great for early-season hiking, as their south-facing slopes are free from snow sooner in the spring. The best access point for Crowfeet Mountain is via the Many Glacier Area from the east entrance near Babb, MT.
The Mountains Of Montana
Montana has at least 2991 named mountains (hills, summits, buttes, peaks, etc.) according to the United States Board on Geographic Names. While some of these peaks play a vital role in the landscape and culture of Montana, others don’t have as deep of an impact due to location or lower elevation gain.
Below is a list of some of the more notable peaks in Montana you will want to consider visiting.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
Ajax Peak
Appistoki Peak
B
Baldy Mountain
Black Butte
C
Castle Mountain
Chief Mountain
Crazy Peak
Crow Peak
Crowfeet Mountain
Cutoff Mountain
D
Divide Mountain
E
East Saint Marys Peak
El Capitan
Electric Peak
Emigrant Peak
F
Fan Mountain
Flinsch Peak
G
Gallatin Peak
Garfield Mountain
Gash Point
Granite Peak
Gray Wolf Peak
Grizzly Mountain
H
Hilgard Peak
Hogback Mountain
Holland Peak
Hollowtop Mountain
Homer Youngs Peak
K
Kintla Peak
Kupunkamint Mountain
L
Lone Mountain
M
Mad Wolf Mountain
McDonald Peak
Mount Chisholm
Mount Cleveland
Mount Cowen
Mount Douglas
Mount Edith
Mount Evans
Mount Gould
Mount Grinnell
Mount Helena
Mount Jackson
Mount Jefferson
Mount Merritt
Mount Oberlin
Mount Powell
Mount Rearguard
Mount Siyeh
Mount Stimson
Mount Wood
P
Painted Teepee Peak
R
Rainbow Peak
Red Mountain
Rising Wolf Mountain
Rocky Mountain
S
Sacagawea Peak
Sage Peak
Saint Joseph Peak
Sheep Mountain
Sinopah Mountain
Sliderock Mountain
South Sheep Mountain
Sphinx Mountain
Stanton Mountain
Sunset Peak
T
Table Mountain
Taylor Mountain
Tinkham Mountain
Trapper Peak
Triple Divide Peak
Tumble Mountain
Tweedy Mountain
Two Sisters
W
West Goat Peak