Trail of the Week

Explore wild country in the Silver Butte Fisher River drainage on a hike to Jumbo Peak. You may encounter other hikers or horseback riders on the trail, but you’ll likely get to enjoy quiet solitude. Venture into the Kootenai National Forest on a short and steep snowshoe to a false summit and take in grand views of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness and the Fisher River. See for yourself why Wild Mon...

Explore the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains on the Larry Creek Ecology Loop near Florence. This trail is popular among hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners. In the warmer months, the wildflowers are plentiful, and the forest floor is blanketed in green. In the winter, cross-country ski or snowshoe through ponderosa pine, and enjoy views of the valley and the Sapphire Mountains to the e...

Explore Mount Haggin in southwest Montana under the cover of snow. Cross-country ski through Montana's largest Wildlife Management Area, which provides year-round habitat for elk, deer, moose, antelope, and other wildlife. Every winter, Mile High Nordic grooms 17 miles of trails that wind through historic logging camps up to the Continental Divide, giving skiers plenty of options to explore pine f...

Located in the heart of Big Sky, the Ousel Falls Park Trail is just a short stroll to a cascading waterfall. The smooth, broad path descends gently to the falls, and viewpoints from below and above let you take in the cascades from multiple angles.  The trail is popular year-round, but in the winter the cascade freezes into icy pillars, turning the narrow canyon into a winter wonderland. Listen cl...

Hike to the McCart Lookout in southwest Montana for expansive views of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. As you gradually climb Johnson Peak Trail to the lookout, enjoy enchanting light filtered through dense stands of lodgepole pine and abundant shade. In the spring, the wildflowers will add bursts of color to your hike. At the summit, enjoy panoramic views of the Bitterroot Mountains and the Anac...

Near the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Spar Lake offers superb huckleberry picking in the summer and the opportunity to admire old-growth forest. Beginning at the campground, head out on Big Spar Lake Trail and hike around the northeast side of the lake. Enjoy a snack at the water’s edge, and then continue south through a breathtaking grove of old-growth cedar and hemlock. Turn around at th...

Strawberry Hill Recreation Area near Miles City spans over 4,000 acres, featuring native grass and sagebrush, ponderosa pine, and rock formations unique to this part of the state. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the 3.5-mile loop, and stick around to see the sunset from Strawberry Hill for a breathtaking view of the Yellowstone Valley. You may encounter another hiker or trail runner, but they’l...

Lost Trail Wildlife Refuge west of Kalispell offers year-round opportunities to watch migratory birds, a resident elk herd, and other wildlife. In 2022, the refuge added 38 thousand acres with the addition of the Lost Trail Conservation Area, which now includes a dozen designated hiking trails through the seasonal wetlands. Several gated roads make for excellent biking or walking, and the open lan...

Enjoy this family-friendly hike to May Creek Cabin in southwest Montana. Soon after hitting the trail, you’ll cross a small wooden footbridge and follow May Creek as it meanders through a willow flat and lodgepole pine forest. About two miles down the trail, you’ll see a sign directing you to the forest service cabin, which is available to rent by the night, year-round. In the winter, this is a gr...

Enjoy a short, family-friendly hike to Bailey Lake on the edge of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.  Leaving the trailhead, you’ll hike through dense forest, but soon the trail opens up to fantastic views of the surrounding peaks. Near the Montana-Idaho border, you’ll arrive at Bailey Lake, which feeds into nearby Lost Horse Creek. The small lake offers a quiet retreat to take a swim or go fishing...

Tahepia Lake Trail in the East Pioneer Mountains is a great place to get a taste of this rugged range. From the trailhead, follow Jacobsen Creek, alternating between flat sections and short climbs through deep forest. Wildflowers bloom throughout the summer, adding a splash of color to the landscape. The trail emerges into a lovely meadow near the lake, providing an opportunity to admire Tahepia P...

Explore the Reservation Divide Roadless Area on a hike to Ch-paa-qn Peak, an iconic landmark overlooking Missoula.  The hike along the trail includes short stretches of steep climbs, but at the viewpoint on the southern side of the peak you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Mission and Bitterroot mountains. There are other trails in the area, but Reservation Divide Trail is recommended fo...

Rock Creek by Wild Montana

Baker Lake Trail, a shining example of stewardship success, is a short, but steep, hike into the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness offers a peaceful retreat to multiple mountain lakes. The 2.5-mile hike begins with steep switchbacks to Baker Point, an outcropping of rock formations that overlooks the Anaconda Range and Sapphire Mountains. Catch your breath and enjoy the view, before continuing to Baker...

One of the newest hiking trails in the Lincoln Ranger District, the Sauerkraut Wall Trail consists of a series of switchbacks down the side of a narrow valley to Sauerkraut Creek. Follow the trail as it cuts downward through a conifer and aspen forest, with several open meadows. Spot prairie-fire or paintbrush, Bear Grass, and Lupine as you hear birds serenading you from the trees. The trail ends...

Depart from the seldom-used Mill Creek Trailhead in the Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area for a 7-mile out-and-back hike into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. Much of the hike will be in the deep forest along Mill Creek until you break into high-elevation grassy meadows. If you visit in the spring, you’ll be greeted with wildflowers. After hiking about 3 miles, the trail peters out, and Mill Creek be...

Just outside of Anaconda, the hike to Lost Creek Falls is short, but rewarding. Cascading 50 feet down moss-covered rocks and dense forest, the falls offer a relaxing spot to take in the beauty of the park. Gaze up to the cliffs to spot golden eagles and bighorn sheep, and keep your ears open and you’ll likely hear pikas calling out. If you prefer a longer hike or bike, take the Forest Service tra...

Take a hike, or mountain bike, along the Kading Trail west of Helena. This 7.5-mile out-and-back hike winds through the Little Blackfoot River watershed and offers views of the Flint Creek Range. The Kading Trail was created in 2019 by a coalition of hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and conservation partners working together to create more recreational opportunities along the Continental Divi...

Enjoy a wooded trek along the foothills of the Swan Mountains in northwest Montana. Beginning at Cooney Lookout, traverse south along gently rolling terrain. Along the journey, catch glimpses across the Swan Valley of the majestic Mission Mountains.  The cold waters of Holland Lake await at the end of your hike. If you have the energy to trek a bit longer, you can enjoy the refreshing mist of Holl...

The Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area in the Kootenai National Forest is cherished backcountry, spanning nearly 15 thousand acres alongside the Canadian border near Eureka. The hike from Little Therriault Lake through Bluebird and Poorman Basins is one of the more interesting  routes in the area. Stride alongside several beautiful lakes, meander through meadows filled with wildflowers, and take a si...

Take a 7-mile out-and-back hike to Cedar Lake in the northern Mission Mountains Wilderness. This challenging, but rewarding, route will lead you alongside Fatty Creek in dense forest before opening up to big views and a couple of unnamed pothole lakes. You can stop here before making your way up switchbacks cresting the saddle of Cedar Peak. From here, take your time descending to the shores of Ce...

Explore one of Montana’s newest public parks just outside of Missoula. Thanks to the efforts of Friends of Marshall Mountain, Five Valleys Land Trust, MTB Missoula and community partners, residents can now enjoy 480 acres of open space at the former Marshall Mountain Ski Area northeast of Missoula. Marshall Mountain Park is located at the confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers and is ho...

On the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Jones Gulch is an easy hike that provides great views into Montana’s premier wilderness area. Leaving the trailhead, you’ll cross over tiny Jones Creek and hike through young, dense, and emerald-green forest. Before long, the trail crosses an old dry riverbed filled with wildflowers that bloom in early summer. Continue on, especially if you’ve brought a...

East of Helena, the Boulder Lakes Trail leads you to a series of sparkling alpine lakes in the Big Belt Mountains. The main trail follows a reclaimed road grade before cresting a small ridge and dropping down to meet Boulder Creek, which flows through a corridor of lush vegetation. The trail is moderate and well-maintained, making for easy walking, and the trees provide plenty of welcome shade. If...

Deep in the Yaak Valley, the Vinal Creek Trail is a one-of-a-kind adventure through northwest Montana’s inland rainforest. The trail follows Vinal Creek through old growth cedar and larch before passing through a recovering burn and criss-crossing the creek on a series of small bridges. Keep an eye out for thimbleberries and pikas, and don’t miss the short detour to 60-foot tall Turner Falls. Turn...