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Montana

Looking for the best chillin in Montana? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Montana. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near Montana

  • Harrison, Montana

    Relax at Potosi Hot Springs

    4.3
    Rain filled the air and fog hung low. It was to dreary to do much, but the idea of soaking in a natural warm springs beneath the peaks of the Tobacco Root mountains was too tempting to stay in side.Potosi Hot Springs is about 25 minutes out of the town of Pony, MT. It’s one of my favorite places ...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Explore Avalanche Creek

    5.0
    0.7 mi
    Avalanche Creek is one of Glacier National Park's easiest features to access and also one of its most unique. The old-growth cedar forest is home to towering trees, moss-covered boulders, and a rushing stream of glacial water. A small loop trail winds through the lower forest and leads to a bri...
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  • Condon, Montana

    Hike to Morrell Falls

    4.0
    2.7 mi / 150 ft gain
    From the town of Seeley Lake, travel 0.5 mile north on Highway 83. Turn east (right) on Morrell Creek Road (small green street sign) which becomes Forest Service Road #477/Cottonwood Lakes Road, and travel 1.1 miles. Turn north (left) on West Morrell Road #4353 and travel about 6 miles. Turn east...
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  • Bozeman, Montana

    Relax at Fairy Lake

    5.0
    Have a day to kick back and relax? With just a short drive of under an hour (from Bozeman), you could be enjoying the outdoors at a scenic alpine lake. Fairy Lake is a gorgeous glacial lake located at the north eastern base of Sacagawea Peak in the Bridger Mountain Range.To access the lake trail,...
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  • Darby, Montana

    Backpack to Little Rock Creek

    9 mi / 1780 ft gain
    Little Rock Creek is one of the Bitterroots' best kept secrets. In late spring, the glacier lilies are in full bloom, and sprinkle the valley floor. At that time of year, there may also be quite a bit of snow on the ground, which will require some bushwhacking to stay on the trail.Little Rock Cre...
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  • Gallatin Gateway, Montana

    Hike to Lava Lake

    5.0
    6 mi / 1600 ft gain
    The 6 mile round trip to Lava Lake is a steady climb that runs beside Cascade Creek through the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The trail starts at the Gallatin River and continues upward through dense evergreen forest. There are no confusing intersections but is quite rocky and considered to be moderate...
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  • Augusta, Montana

    Hike to Cataract Falls

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    Located in the Lewis and Clark National Forest on the Rocky Mountain Front, this hike will give the best bang for your buck -- it's about as easy as they come but still boasts outstanding views. The falls are roaring in the spring with snow melt, tranquil in the summer and fall, and permit some d...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Kayak Saint Mary Lake, Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park, one of the United States' finest national parks, is home to some of the most spectacular glacially carved lakes in the country. Situated along the famous Going-to-the-Sun (GTTS) road, Saint Mary Lake, the park's second largest lake, offers some of the finest views in the pa...
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  • Roscoe, Montana

    Backpack to Rainbow Lake via the East Rosebud Trail

    3.0
    16 mi / 1600 ft gain
    Also known as "The Beaten Path", the East Rosebud Trail is a highly traveled and well maintained trail with amazing views and a handful of lakes along the route. The trail is ultimately 26 miles long and places you near Cooke City. Rainbow Lake is located 7 miles from the trailhead and is a perfe...
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  • Gallatin Gateway, Montana

    Hike to Golden Trout Lakes

    4.0
    5 mi / 1300 ft gain
    The Golden Trout lakes offer a scenic getaway just out of the Gallatin Valley Canyon. To access the trail head, turn east onto Portal Creek Road #984 and continue southeast for 6.8 miles. The road is in rough condition and is better suited for vehicles with a higher clearance. The trail head is e...
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  • Bozeman, Montana

    Hike Sypes Canyon

    3.0
    4 mi
    Sypes Canyon Trail is a gorgeous hike to a scenic lookout over Bozeman, MT. The trail only lies 20 minutes north of Bozeman and offers the perfect after work exercise. The trail is heavily populated with people and trail conditions fluctuate throughout the year. The trail follows a small creek th...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Camp at Sprague Creek Campground on Lake McDonald

    4.5
    Ten miles long and nearly 500 feet deep, Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacial National Park. Sprague Creek is a small 25-site campground on the northeast shore of the lake, about 9 miles from the west entrance of the park. Campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis and fill up early....
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  • Anaconda, Montana

    Hike the Johnson Lake Loop

    16 mi / 3160 ft gain
    Day 1: After pulling into the Middle Fork parking lot, there will be two trailheads. Sign in at either one, but I started at TH 28 to head directly to Johnson Lake. A gradual climb passes beautiful waterfalls and recovering burn scars dotted with flowers. To Johnson Lake is 5.2 miles with an ele...
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  • Gallatin Gateway, Montana

    Hike to Emerald and Heather Lake

    5.0
    10.9 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Once in Bozeman, Take 19th Ave. south to Hyalite Canyon Rd. Turn left and continue past Hyalite Reservoir; when the road splits, take the left fork toward Palisade Falls. Continue past Palisade Falls to the end of the road. The trailhead is immediately ahead of you. This hike is around 11 miles t...
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  • Victor, Montana

    Hike to Bear Creek Falls

    5.0
    3 mi / 400 ft gain
    The trailhead is well established with a small campground and bathroom facilities.The hike begins in dense forest and slowly climbs over Bear Creek through a canyon. You get your typical (but always beautiful!) Bitterroot scenery: jagged rocky mountains towering over you on each side.At 1.5 miles...
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  • Wilsall, Montana

    Summit Hardscrabble Peak

    5.0
    4 mi / 1900 ft gain
    Located in the Bridger Mountain Range, Hardscrabble Peak offers a scenic hike just outside of Bozeman, MT. The Peak sits just north of the more popular Sacagawea Peak and from atop grants views over the Gallatin Valley as well as surrounding mountain ranges such as the Big Belts, Crazies, Tabacco...
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