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Flathead County, Montana

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

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Flathead County

  • West Glacier, Montana

    Backpack to Lincoln Lake

    16.75 mi / 3747 ft gain
    It's a 1600 ft slow increase in elevation. You can walk around the loose rocks going around the lake for an additional 2 miles of hiking. There is a back-country campground at the base of the glacier-fed lake and an amazing waterfall at the opposite end of the of the campground. To camp overnig...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Backpack to Logging Lake

    8.8 mi
    Backcountry camping is the best plan if you’d like to visit Logging Lake, and the primitive campsites lay at the end of a four and a half mile hike through some of the most unspoiled sections of the park. The trail follows logging creek most of the way to the lake traversing through a variety of ...
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  • Kalispell, Montana

    Hike to Summit of Mount Aeneas

    4.9
    6 mi / 1700 ft gain
    This hike can easily be overlooked since it is in such a geographically rich area, with Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness so close, but it is absolutely a hidden gem that doesn't get enough attention. Mount Aeneas sits at just over 7,500 feet and from the summit it gives amazi...
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  • Kalispell, Montana

    Backpack to Black Lake

    7 mi / 1500 ft gain
    Begin at Camp Misery (elev. 5,717 ft). This is a total misname by the way! It should be titled Camp On The Way To Awesomeness! Anyway, head .6 miles on Trail 8 to the intersection of trail. From here turn right on Trail 68 and hike .7 miles until the intersection where you turn right on Trail 7 f...
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  • Kalispell, Montana

    Backpack to Clayton Lake

    9 mi / 1500 ft gain
    From the Camp Misery Trailhead (elev. 5,717 ft) take the left Trail 8 for .6 miles. At the junction continue left for a 1.3 mile gently ascent into Jewel Basin. Nearing Twin Lakes continue left on Trail 7 for .6 miles until you reach Trail 55. Continue right, and make sure that after a short .3 m...
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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

    The Garden Wall

    15.16 mi / 3944 ft gain
    The Garden Wall Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near West Glacier, Montana.
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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Browning, Montana

    Hike Mount Siyeh

    5.0
    8.45 mi / 4209 ft gain
    Once the Going-To-The-Sun Road has opened fully, this massive peak is accessible by driving to Siyeh Bend on the east side of the Logan Pass Visitors Center. Plan on a sun up to sun down adventure. Choose a sunny summer day and head up to hit the trail! Park at Siyeh Bend, and start on the Pie...
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  • Flathead County, Montana

    Backpack to Link Lake

    1.3 mi / 600 ft gain
    To reach the trailhead, travel west on US Hwy 93 for 17.9 mi. and then turn right onto Olney Crossover Rd. This road will continue for 8.8 mi. and then keep left onto NF-115 for 9.7 mi. and the destination will be on the right hand side. There is a parking area where the trailhead begins. From th...
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  • Kalispell, Montana

    Summit Lake Mountain and Nasukoin Mountain

    5.0
    12 mi / 3500 ft gain
    To reach the trailhead, travel west on US Hwy 93 for 17.9 mi. and then turn right onto Olney Crossover Rd. This road will continue for 8.8 mi. and then keep left onto NF-115 for 9.7 mi. and the destination will be on the right hand side. There is a parking area where the trailhead begins. From th...
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  • Swiftcurrent, Montana

    Glacier's North Circle Route (North East Section)

    9.7 mi
    Planning & Preparations As amazing as this trek is, it's certainly not without its challenges, and the first one you will run into is obtaining a backcountry permit for camping.  As it absolutely should, backcountry camping is very regulated.  Essentially, you request permits and multiple da...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Cracker Lake

    5.0
    12.71 mi / 2001 ft gain
    The 6.1 mile (12.2 roundtrip), hike to Cracker Lake includes wooded forests, grand views of lakes and mountains, creek crossings, distant waterfalls, mining ruins, possible wildflowers and wildlife, and a swim in turquoise water. At 1400ft elevation gain, the trail never gets too taxing. The view...
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