Flathead National Forest, Montana

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Flathead National Forest

  • 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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  • Condon, Montana

    Holland Lake and Falls

    5.0
    3.05 mi / 561 ft gain
    Holland Lake and Falls is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Condon, Montana.
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  • Whitefish, Montana

    Hike Whitefish Mountain via the Danny On Trail

    5.0
    7.6 mi / 2250 ft gain
    The Danny On Trail starts from the base area of Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort and zig zags its way up to the summit. The trailhead is near the Chalet building/Hellroaring Saloon upper parking lot (there's a big sign). The trail passes through Douglas fir, western larch, spruce and fir trees. The ...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Hike to the Mt. Brown Lookout

    5.0
    The trail is accessible (though sometimes covered in snow) year-round because the trailhead lies in the lower elevation area of the park. It begins at the Sperry Trailhead, located directly across the street from the lake McDonald Lodge. Follow the Sperry Trail for 1.6 miles until you reach the M...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Hike to Howe Lake

    4 mi / 240 ft gain
    The hike begins along the Inner North Fork road across from a small parking area. The trail meanders up a slight incline most of the way through areas of a recent fire, as well as some areas with spectacular wildflowers when it gets a bit more lush. Around 1.7 miles in you will go up a relatively...
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  • Flathead County, Montana

    Hike Glacier View Mountain

    5.04 mi / 2880 ft gain
    Driving north from Columbia Falls, MT for 20 miles, park after the junction of the Camas Road and the North Fork Road. This parking area is directly after the junction on the east side of the road and the trail begins on the west side of the road.The beginning of the trail is started with many sw...
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  • Seeley Lake, Montana

    Hike to Crescent Lake

    9 mi / 1500 ft gain
    An hour drive north of the town of Seeley Lake Montana is the Glacier Lake Trailhead and the starting point for your hike. Glacier Lake Trailhead is a popular trailhead, and the parking lot can fill up quickly on hot summer weekends since it provides access to trails which lead to three different...
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  • Glacier County, Montana

    Triple Divide Pass Trail to Red Eagle Lake

    29.22 mi / 5499 ft gain
    A couple of notes to keep in mind before you start... this is a loop that takes you to a different part of the park so you will either need two vehicles (one for the pickup spot and one to take you to the trailhead) or you will need to hitchhike back to you drop off vehicle. Also you will need to...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Trail of the Cedars

    5.0
    0.81 mi / 160.1 ft gain
    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

    Trail of the Cedars

    4.5
    0.88 mi / 121 ft gain
    Trail of the Cedars Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Lake Mc Donald, Montana.
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Avalanche Lake via Trail of Cedars

    4.9
    5.95 mi / 997.38 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

    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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  • Rising Sun, Montana

    Baring Falls via Piegan Pass Trail

    1.96 mi / 246 ft gain
    Baring Falls via Piegan Pass Trail is an out-and-back trail to a waterfall located near the southern end of St. Mary Lake in East Glacier Park Village, Montana.
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  • Browning, Montana

    Hike to Sun Point

    5.0
    1.6 mi / 250 ft gain
    With panoramic views of St. Mary Lake and it’s surrounding peaks, Sun Point is the perfect spot to chill/relax in Glacier National Park.  It can be reached via the Sun Point Nature Trail or the Sun Point picnic area.To reach Sun Point via the nature trail, start at Sunrift Gorge parking area.  Cl...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Baring, St. Mary, and Virginia Falls in Glacier NP

    4.5
    5.43 mi / 958 ft gain
    This 5.4 mile out-and-back hike will take you to Baring, St. Mary, and Virginia Falls.   Start your hike at the Sunrift Gorge parking area. Hike down the stairs on the south side of the road. Here you’ll see the trailhead for Baring Falls. Descend until you reach the Baring Falls/Sun Point junc...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Hidden Lake Overlook

    5.0
    2.83 mi / 581 ft gain
    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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