Trail of the Week

On the Rocky Mountain Front west of Choteau, the trail to Headquarters Pass is a classic wilderness adventure. It’s not a long hike, but the scenery is spectacular. You’ll parallel the headwaters of the South Fork Teton River, hike past several sparkling waterfalls, and you can even spot some of the numerous mountain goats that frequent the area. Headquarters Pass itself provides spectacular views...

South of Butte, the Skeeboggan Trail is a perfect family adventure in all seasons. Following the trickling creek, the trail passes short but captivating rock formations, rounded by millenia of wind and rain. They’re perfect kid-sized playgrounds, begging to be used as natural forts or castles. Adults can let their imaginations run wild, too! Continuing on, the trail pops out of the trees for some...

North of Ekalaka, the Sunset Loop Trail in Medicine Rocks State Park is a wonderful place to experience eastern Montana. This short trail winds through a series of towering sandstone pillars, which are pockmarked with holes and tunnels carved over the millennia by the wind and rain. Look closely and you’ll also spot rock art, made by the numerous Indigenous peoples who inhabited the area around th...

Pine Creek Lake might be one of the most popular destinations in the Paradise Valley, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit. The trail starts off by gently following Pine Creek, and before long it brings you to a a spectacular waterfall that tumbles down from the lake above. From here, things get steeper as the trail switchbacks through the woods up to Pine Creek Lake. This spectacular gem...

The hike to Cow Island, in the heart of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, is a historical and scenic treasure. Starting off on high bluffs above the river, you’ll meander through eerie sandstone formations and be treated to stunning views of the Missouri River. Eventually, you’ll drop down to the river bank and the island itself. Down here, you’ll see old homesteads, the old Cow I...

The hike to Mann Gulch, near the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness outside Helena, provides big views and lots of history. The trail starts from a historic Lewis and Clark campsite, and the steady climb is rewarded with big views. T. Towering cliffs shoot out of the Missouri River and give the wilderness area its name. At the top of the ridge, take time to read the series of signs that detail the...

Don’t let the cold weather trap you indoors this winter. Instead, visit the cross-country ski trails of Blacktail Mountain. Located high above Flathead Lake, these trails are a wonderful wintertime adventure, and they’re groomed daily by volunteers, so they’re always in great shape. The trails are fun for skiers of all ages and levels, and the views aren’t bad either - the trails are hidden away h...

In the southwestern corner of Montana, nestled against the Idaho border, Hell Roaring Creek is a lovely and seldom-travelled section of the Continental Divide Trail. It begins in a sun-dappled forest, which shortly gives way to small meadows and rocky slopes as it crosses Cole Creek and winds around Nemesis Mountain. The trail continues across the base of several avalanche paths with wonderful vie...

If you’re tired of following others’ footsteps, head to the King Mountain Hiking and Riding Area south of Ashland. There are no established trails here, so you can wander far and wide across the prairie, through the deep coulees, and among the sandstone pillars. If you look closely, you can spot ancient rock art on the cliff walls and tipi rings in the open areas. Mule deer and pronghorn frequent...

Hidden away between Missoula and Phillipsburg, the Welcome Creek Trail is an easy hike to the tumbledown remains of an old cabin. Right after leaving the trailhead, you’ll get a shot of adrenaline when you cross Rock Creek on a bouncy suspension bridge. Things mellow out shortly after, as the trail crosses Welcome Creek and meanders gently through mixed forest and across the bottom of some talus s...

The hike to Taylor Peak climbs, climbs, and climbs some more, but the views make all the hard work worth it! This little-known trail starts in the Bull River Valley south of Troy and weaves its way up into the Cabinet Mountains. As you climb towards the summit, keep an eye peeled for wildlife and be sure to fill your water bottles when you cross a small creek. A brief off-trail excursion will lead...

South of Ekalaka, the Chalk Buttes are a series of spectacular white sandstone cliffs studded with ponderosa pina. The Buttes shoot up hundreds of feet out of the prairie, and while there are no designated trails, there are endless opportunities for exploring. Following the broad ridgelines will lead you to the top of several buttes, and while there are occasional rocky outcroppings, the hiking is...

The hike to Nevada Mountain, northwest of Helena, is an opportunity to experience the majesty of the Continental Divide. You’ll meander through open meadows and wildflower seas, climb broad ridges to rocky summits, and marvel at the massive drainages falling away below you. Occasionally, the trail passes through areas of windblown trees, but the going is never too difficult. The final approach to...

The Frenchman Breaks, north of Malta, serve up gorgeous sweeping views of the Hi-Line. There aren’t any trails in this wild area of rugged river breaks and wild coulees, but the broad ridges and endless prairie make it easy to pick your own route. Keep your eyes peeled for tipi rings scattered along the edges of the low canyon rims, and for fossils as you walk around the dry washes and sandy ridge...

Birch Lake, in the Jewel Basin east of Kalispell, has it all. This moderate trail will lead you past grand vistas, abundant huckleberries, and if you’re lucky, plenty of wildlife. From the hike’s high point, you’ll be able to gaze across the whole of the the Flathead Valley, and if the weather cooperates, Birch Lake is a lovely place for a summer swim. There’s great fishing there, too. On the way...

Tucked against the border of Yellowstone National Park south of Big Sky, Teepee Creek Trail is a wonderful three-season excursion. The trail meanders through wide-open meadows, while the peaks of the Gallatin Range tower above you. In the fall, the aspens that dot the meadows provide spectacular bursts of orange and yellow, and the peaks are often dusted with a sprinkling of snow. From the highpoi...

In Makoshika State Park near Glendive, the Cap Rock Trail brings you to one of the largest natural sandstone bridges in this unique landscape. On the way, numerous interpretive signs provide some detail about the history and geology of the area. Stop at sign #8 to take photos of the bridge, and then venture across it - it might look flimsy, but it feels solid underfoot! After the bridge, the trail...

If you want maximum views for minimum effort, you can’t do much better than Stanton Lake. Hidden in the Great Bear Wilderness south of Glacier National Park, this stunning lake is surrounded by deep forests and towering peaks that are reflected in its glassy surface. The short hike is pleasantly shaded by larch, Douglas fir, and birch. When you reach the lake, enjoy a picnic or set up camp and spe...

Starting just off of Interstate 90 south of Butte, the Homestake Pass section of the Continental Divide Trail is a casual hike through a wonderland of unusual rock formations, part of a geological formation called the Boulder Bathoolith. Worn smooth by exposure to the elements, the formations add a dreamlike quality to the trail, which winds gently through open forest while birds chirp above you....

The Hall Creek trail, in the Badger-Two Medicine, takes you past stands of quaking aspen, through meadows full of colorful wildflowers, and over crystal-clear creeks that flow from the high peaks down onto the plains. The Badger-Two Medicine is sacred to the Blackfeet Nation, and if you look closely, you might even spot the remains of an old sweat lodge ceremony that took place years ago to pray f...

The hike up Brandon Butte, in the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge south of Malta, is a great way to get big views of the Missouri River and Fort Peck Lake. Those aren’t all you’ll see, though; this unique prairie ecosystem is home to mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and sage grouse. The climb to the top of the butte is gradual, and when you’re reached the summit, you can wander for miles...

Big Baldy Mountain by Wild Montana

The Pryor Mountains south of Billings are famed for being Montana’s only red-rock desert, but the hike to Crooked Creek is a lush surprise. The creek flows through a deep canyon for most of its length, and entering along Wyoming Creek is one of the few access points. As you walk, the canyon narrows and the barren slopes are replaced by lush trees, shrubs, and grasses that shelter underneath toweri...

Starting from Gallatin Canyon south of Big Sky, the Buffalo Horn Trail meanders through thick forest, along shimmering creeks, and up to high alpine meadows. If you’re in the mood for a gentle hike, you can wander up to Ramshorn Lake, a sparkling gem tucked between the imposing summits of Ramshorn Peak and Fortress Mountain. Photo by Tom Ross

The hike along the Arrastra Creek Trail, on the boundary of the Scapegoat Wilderness Area, is a welcome break from the heat of summer. From its start in Porcupine Basin, the trail works its way down to the crystal-clear Arrastra Creek, which flows through a lush drainage filled with tall spruce trees and beautiful wildflowers.