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Columbia Falls, Montana

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

Top Photography Spots in and near Columbia Falls

  • Essex, Montana

    Hike to Dickey Lake

    5.2 mi / 1463 ft gain
    *Parking for this hike is very limited, as the parking area can hold one, maybe two, vehicles.  This 5.2 mile roundtrip hike begins near Essex, Montana, at 4,620 feet of elevation, and leads to a small, hidden lake nestled in the Great Bear Wilderness. Immediately after leaving the parking area, ...
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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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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Avalanche Lake via Trail of Cedars

    4.9
    5.91 mi / 730 ft gain
    This very scenic Glacier National Park hike off of Going-to-the-Sun road is 4.5 miles with a total elevation gain of 730 feet. The hike to Avalanche Lake begins from the Trail of the Cedars trailhead. Be prepared for a lot of incline. Approximately one half mile from the trailhead you’ll reach...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Photography on Logan Pass

    5.0
    Disclaimer: Glacier National Park has closed any off-trail activity in this area. The majority of the photos can be taken on-trail. Please be sure to adhere to the park's policy.With a short window of opportunity for visiting, Logan Pass offers a wealth of photographic options. As the winter sno...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Hidden Lake Overlook

    5.0
    2.83 mi
    The trail starts at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, which is right in the middle of Going-To-The-Sun Road. It can be very busy during the middle of the day, but early morning and early evening will have less of a crowd. It's a pretty short hike in a beautiful wide open alpine meadow. We were gree...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Reynolds Mountain

    4.5
    11 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Reynolds Mountain stands high above the Logan Pass Visitors Center. Because of it's easy location, be prepared to get caught in the heavy rush of tourists on the way up. Though most will not be going to Reynolds Mountain, you will still need to "wade" through heavy tourism to reach the trail he...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Summit Reynolds Mountain via the North Face Ascent Route

    7.9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Mt. Reynolds is a premier peak in Glacier National Park (GNP). The views from the beginning to the summit are incredible all the way around. Reynolds offers those who are starting to climb an introductory climb with little technicality and a reward that is well earned at the top. GNP requires an ...
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  • 48.696704,-113.718345

    Grinnell Glacier Overlook via Highline Trail

    4.0
    15.23 mi / 1000 ft gain
    There are two ways to get to this trail. Preferred route: Start the Highline Trail at Logan Pass. Hike 7.5 miles on a pleasantly gradual trail to get to the overlook trail. Alternate route: You can instead start at The Loop (shuttle stop), hike up to the Granite Park Chalet, and then hike an addi...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Granite Park Chalet via Highline Trail

    4.5
    11.49 mi / 1950 ft gain
    The trailhead for the Highline Trail is located near the west side of Logan's Pass. Parking is limited at the Pass so arriving early to guarantee a spot, or taking a park shuttle (no fee) is suggested. The shuttles run consistently during the day at different locations throughout the Park. Howeve...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Piegan Mountain

    5.0
    5 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Start this hike at the Lunch Creek parking lot just over Logan Pass. Follow the climber's trail which will lead you above a waterfall and into Lunch Creek Basin. Looking straight ahead, you will see Pollock Mountain. Continue to your right for the peak approach (if you go all the way to the right...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Camp at Bowman Lake

    5.0
    26.85 mi / 3005 ft gain
    Bowman lake is the 3rd largest lake in Glacier National Park and one of the most remote areas accessible by car. The drive out on a dirt road is slow and bumpy but the reward is an area without crowds and lots of adventure potential. The first-come-first-served campground offers 48 sites near t...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Waterton Lake via Bowman Lake

    49.5 mi / 6365 ft gain
    Our trip started on Thursday evening, spending the night at the Bowman Lake campground. You can park your car here and it's where the hike will start and end. I recommend staying here the night before because day 1 is a doozy, so you'll want an early start. Day 1 is the hardest day of the hike, ...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Bowman Lake to Quartz Lake Loop

    5.0
    13.3 mi / 2618 ft gain
    The trail to Quartz lake begins on southend of the Bowman Lake beach. I recommend going in a clockwise direction and getting the steep bit out of the way, but the ~13 mile loop can be done either way. Follow the Bowman Lake shore on the West Lakes Trail for about half a mile and then you will fi...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Bike Glacier's Going to the Sun Road

    5.0
    16 mi / 2460 ft gain
    Bike up the road towards Logan Pass. Make sure to stay alert for traffic coming up and down the road. Helmets and flashing red, rear lights are required when biking at night in Glacier National Park. A forward facing light is also recommended to see gravel and other obstacles. Make sure to keep e...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Waterton Lakes via Packers Roost

    5.0
    22.15 mi / 4596 ft gain
    Day 1: This gorgeous backpacking adventure begins at the Packer's Roost trailhead, which is almost halfway between West and East Glacier on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This trailhead is marked on the highway before you get to the "Loop." It's a quick left turn so keep your eyes peeled as you pass ...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Gunsight Pass to Gunsight Lake Campsite

    5.0
    13.06 mi / 1667 ft gain
    How to Get There: Get your backcountry pass at the St. Mary visitor center and then head over to the hike, which begins from the Jackson Glacier Overlook, located 12.6 miles west of the center on the Going-to-Sun-Road.  The Hike: The first mile of the hike is a downhill, and then the trail is ...
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