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The 10 Best Hiking Trails In Montana

Rebecca Hanlon
Last Updated: March 4th, 2023

The Big Sky Country is paradise to any hiker. Choosing the best hiking trails in Montana, then, becomes a happy dilemma. From scenic views of pristine alpine meadows to sights of dazzling waterfalls, there is something for everyone when exploring the Treasure State through one of the many trails in Montana.

But when nature calls to your soul, and you want to go now, then we can guide you. Here are the best hikes in Montana for any season.

Top Montana Trails You Need to Explore

The best time to hit the Montana tails is from late June through mid-September. If you are particularly interested in Glacier National Park, going there in the summer is ideal— no slippery snow, especially in mountain passes. Though many make a point to hike Swan River Trail near Bigfork or Summit Trail near Whitefish in the Winter.

1. Beehive Basin Trail, Big Sky

beehive basin trail

Beehive Basin Trail is one of the top picks of hikers in Montana for its intense views. The 6.6-mile roundtrip hike is a moderate slope, where you achieve 1,500 elevations. This allows you breathtaking views of Lone Peak with its unspoiled alpine meadows.

Beehive Basin Trail is just a stone’s throw away from the chairlifts of Big Sky Resort, a renowned Montana ski resort. Travelers are also known to take the popular day hike into the Beehive Basin glacier cirque.

If you seek a more family-friendly hike, you can depart from Ousel Falls, which is located only 10 miles from the Beehive Basin Trailhead. It’s a mere 2-mile round trip and is near Big Sky town center.

2. Lava Lake, Custer Gallatin National Forest

custer gallatin national forest

The trail will have you crossing the jaw-dropping Cascade Creek before you reach your destination: Lava Lake. It is within the crater of a very old volcano.

Located in Gallatin Canyon, the day hike is hugely popular among professional hikers. From the trailhead, the elevation gain towards Lava Lake is quite challenging and would require rest stops.

But a successful hike on this trail is life-changing for its stunning beauty.

3. Highline Trail, Glacier National Park

highline trail

One of the most sought-after hiking trails in Montana is the Highline Trails— found in Glacier National Park. The picturesque trail begins from the northern side of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass.

The departure area is from the top-most point of Logan Pass, which is accessible by car. From there, hikers traverse 7.6 miles of flat land all the way to Granite Park Chalet. The trail allows you an unobstructed view of spectacular mountains— the kind which makes Glacier National Park truly iconic.

The trail encompasses deep crevices of glacial valleys and a smattering of literally hundreds of glistening alpine lakes. From Granite Park Chalet, the trail blends toward Fifty Mountain Campground, which is a stretch of 11.9 miles.

4. Birch Lake, Jewel Basin Hiking Area, Flathead National Forest

jewel basin hiking area

Jewel Basin is a backpacker’s destination located at the northernmost tip of the Swan Mountain range. Close to Flathead Lake, which is 30 miles east of Kalispell, it splinters to multiple trails encompassing over 35 miles.

One of the best trails in Montana, it attracts crowds during the summer. You must, then, be okay to share the trails.

The soul-stirring trail is a scenic ribbon that winds through a high-mountain environment punctuated with pristine lakes. At Birch Lake, which is an easy 3-mile hike from Camp Misery Trailhead, you can even fish.

From there, you can continue for a 3-mile hike to Crater Lake.

5. Holland Falls National Recreation Trail, Flathead National Forest

holland falls national recreation trail

Start at the junction of East Holland Lake Connector, which is located close to the parking lot. The easy trail stretches 1.6 miles and elevates to about 750 feet.

The goal is to reach the jaw-dropping 50-foot Holland Falls, which is flanked by equally jaw-dropping views.

The trail outlines the shoreline of Holland Lake. The popular lake is snug in between northwest Montana’s Swan Mountain and Mission Mountain

After the comfortable trail, hikers usually venture to Morrell Falls National Recreation Trail along Highway 83. The 2.7-mile hike will be rewarded with Morrell Falls— a 90-foot double waterfall. This also provides access to a glorious view of Swan Mountain.

6. Danny On Memorial Trail, Flathead National Forest

danny on memorial trail

Named after an inspiring Montana ecologist and photographer, the Danny On Memorial Trail is found in Whitefish. Less than 6 miles of hike, the trail leads to a difficult elevation to the summit, which gives you access to a rare panoramic view of Big Sky.

The trail begins at the base of the ski resort and allows you to choose four different paths toward the iconic panoramic view. The direct trail is about 3.9 miles with views of Glacier National Park, Flathead Valley, Canadian Rockies, and Bob Marshall Wilderness.

7. The Boulder Pass Trail, Glacier National Park

the boulder pass trail

If you’re within Glacier National Park and in need of a challenging trail, the Boulder Pass is recommended. For veteran hikers, this trail is moderately difficult.

If you’re a beginner, you will have to endure an arduous experience if you want to be rewarded with views of staggering beauty. You must, however, don’t just set off. You need an intense guide to accomplish the trail

The trail begins at Kintla Lakes, about 19 miles to the stunning Boulder Pass. It’s a remote-backcountry territory (with bear encounters) that overlooks the legendary Hole in the Wall waterfall.

8. Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

continental divide national scenic trail

This trail charts a path through some of the United States’ most stunning— and treasured— terrain. Spanning an epic 3,100 miles, the trail begins in the scenic deserts of New Mexico and ends in the high mountains of the Northern Rockies.

From New Mexico, the entire Continental Divide Trail will lead you to Colorado, then Wyoming, then Idaho, all the way to the alpine peaks of Montana. The trail will reward you with access to the Chinese Wall, found in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Some hikers, however, prefer to start the trail in Montana. Here, you can depart from the Pacific Northwest Trail, a rugged trail that is 1,200 miles long between Glacier National Park and in Washington’s Olympic National Park. Plenty of day-hike activities along the way for the hiker to enjoy.

9. Trapper Peak, Bitterroot National Forest

trapper peak

There are multiple trailheads for Trapper Peak, but the most common starting point is Trapper Peak Trailhead. It’s a 4-mile hike to the mountain peak, with a gradual steep of up to 4,000 feet.

Mounted on the Idaho Panhandle in southwest Montana, the mountains of Bitterroot are one chunk of the Bitterroot National Forest that spans 1.6 million acres. It’s essentially a sharp but short-distanced mountain hike. Trapper Peak’s summit provides an astounding view. But hikers also tend to hike to nearby St. Mary Peak and Lolo Peak.

If you are interested in views beyond mountains, the Kootenai Creek Trail and Blodgett Canyon are options to see waterfalls, lakes, and other natural magnificence.

10. Trail of the Cedars, Glacier National Park

trail of the cedars

Within Glacier National Park, 49.3 miles northeast of Kalispell, is a portal to an adventure amidst awe-inspiring scenery. The Destination is Avalanche Lake— and to get there is the easy-to-intermediate Trail of the Cedars.

Apart from Avalanche Lake, the Trail of the Cedars also leads to Glacier Cedar Forest. The departure point starts on the boardwalk at the Trail of the Cedars, which opens to a dense fairy-tale forest. The trail, then, takes you to Avalanche Creek’s drainage before you arrive at its famous lake.

Avalanche Lake features a double narrow waterfall that cascades down into the valley. You can pack your lunch and enjoy snacking along the shore.

Final Thoughts

Montana is home to a thousand trails that will melt the stress away from travelers. These 10 Montana hiking trails offer the best of the Treasure State.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a frequent hiker, there is something for you in Montana. Breathe in the fresh air, and navigate through scenic views of alpine peaks, dazzling lakes, and virgin wilderness. Montana truly invigorates the soul.

More Trails to Explore in Montana

There are at least 993 named Montana Trails according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This makes Big Sky Country one of the premier destinations for hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers, and horse riders.

Below you can check out a list of some of the most traveled and popular Montana trails you will want to check out for yourself on your next visit!

hiking

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

Avalanche Lake

B

The Beaten Path
Beehive Basin Trail
Birch Lake, Jewel Basin Hiking Area
The Boulder Pass Trail
The Bozeman Trail
Bullhead Lake Trail

C

Clements Mountain Trail
College M Trail
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Cracker Lake Trail

D

Danny On Memorial Trail
Drinking Horse Mountain Trail

E

East Rosebud Trail

G

Grinnell Glacier Trail

H

Hidden Lake Overlook
Highline Trail
Holland Falls National Recreation Trail
Hyalite Peak

I

Iceberg Lake Trail
Ice Cave Loop
Ice Caves Trail

L

Lava Lake

M

Mammoth Terraces and Upper Ter Loop
Moose Lake Trail
Mount Aeneas, Jewel Basin Hiking Area
Mount Sentinel “M” Trail
Morrell Falls National Recreation Trail

N

Natural Bridges Trail

O

Ousel Falls

P

Pine Creek Falls
Ptarmigan Tunnel

R

Red Rock Falls vis Swiftcurrent Pass
Rocky Point via Lake Macdonald Trail
Ross Creek Nature Trail

S

Sky Rim
Spyes Canyon
St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
Stuart Peak
Sweetgrass Trail
Swiftcurrent Pass

T

Targhee Creek Trail
Trail of the Cedars
Trapper Peak
Trespass-Sweetgrass-Cottonwood Loop

U

Upper McDonald Creek Trail

W

Wild Horse Island Loop Trail

About The Author

Rebecca Hanlon

Rebecca has been a travel blogger and editor for over 5 years, working with some of the biggest brands in industry. She’s taught English as a foreign language in 5 different countries, and her most fulfilling role was as a tour guide around some of Europe’s finest vineyards. She the one behind the social channels here at Discovering Montana, whilst also finding the time to perform an assistant editor role.

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