Top Adventures in Helena
1906 Trail
Located just outside of Helena, the 1906 Trail starts at the Mt Helena Parking Lot. The path is wide enough to share with hikers, trail runners, or mountain bikers. Note: this is an uphill-only trail for mountain biking. It's a very popular trail ...
3 miles
1000 ft gain
Prospect Shaft Trail
The Prospect Shaft Trail is a lightly used trail used to reach the summit of Mt Helena. The trail is rated as a 'moderate' trail due to its steep, loose, rocky surface. Due to these characteristics, it's rarely used for mountain biking and primari...
2.4 miles
800 ft gain
Mount Ascension
Mount Ascension is a popular trail in Helena. It's used for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. It can be accessed year-round, but can get icy and slippery during the winter.
The path for Mount Ascension is a network of trails that that c...
3 miles
950 ft gain
Rodney Ridge Trail
With it's easy access from Rodney Street, Rodney Ridge Trail is a locals favorite. The trail heads up the ridge and provides fantastic views of Helena below.
The trail is rated as moderate, and is used primarily for mountain biking and hiking. Do...
2.6 miles
300 ft gain
Continental Divide Trail: MacDonald Pass to Priest Pass
The CDT trail is a popular trail with thru-hikers, and is considered one of the three Crown Jewels. The Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail being the other two.
This section of the Continental Divide Trail starts 25-minutes to the West ...
10.8 miles
2500 ft gain
Rock Climb and Explore Hellgate Gulch
Known as one of the most serene climbing areas in Montana, as well as some of the best sport climbing in the state, if you're a climber, Hellgate Gulch is worth the visit. Within 30 miles of Helena, you'll be climbing on limestone's funky pockets....
Explore Refrigerator Canyon
The Refrigerator Canyon Trail is a scenic trail that leads into the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness. While this trail goes back for up to 16 miles, for this adventure, we will focus on the first half-mile of the trail. The first half-mile of Ref...
0.5 miles
100 ft gain
Four Wheel Drive and then Hike to Historic Mann Gulch
In 1949, a fire started in a remote area of the Gates of the Mountains wilderness, a gulch east of the Upper Missouri River. Fifteen smokejumpers were dropped in to fight it. Thirteen died. The United States Forest Service drew lessons from the tr...
2.4 miles
1535 ft gain
Fly Fish the Missouri River from Holter Dam to Cascade.
Due to the cold water being released from the bottom of Holter Lake, it creates excellent habitat for trout. The section of the Missouri River from Holter Dam to Cascade, MT is the main area for trout fishing, and has excellent access to the river...
Hike the Continental Divide Trail via Roger Pass
After driving over Rogers Pass more times than I can count, we finally made it a point to stop and check out the Continental Divide Trail No. 440 -- glad we did.
If you've driven the pass, you've seen the trail head about 66 miles west of Great F...
2.33 miles
665 ft gain
Summit Mount Powell
From Interstate 90, exit at Racetrack #195. Continue west for one mile and turn north at a T intersection. Follow the road for about 0.75 mi. to Quinlan Rd. and continue west with a dogleg south for 3.5 mi. Take a sharp right to the north east to ...
11.6 miles
4730 ft gain
Pick Huckleberries at Reservoir Lake
If you live anywhere near the Pacific Northwest, you've likely heard of huckleberries -- if you haven't, what are you doing with your life?
These juicy little gems are worth every once it takes to pluck them from the bush. While there are plenty o...
Nearby camping, hotels, and more
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Montana City, Montana
Strawberry Cabin
Overview Explore a magnificent recreation and wildlife resource at the doorstep of Montana's Capital City. From prairie to alpine, mayflies to mountain goats, and scenic driving to expert climbing ... -
Helena, Montana
Moose Creek Cabin
Overview Moose Creek Cabin is situated in an grassy clearing surrounded by conifer forest in the Tenmile Creek drainage west of Helena, Montana. The cabin was constructed in 1907 and used by the F... -
Helena, Montana
Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Overview Clark's Bay Day Use Area is situated on the picturesque "Devil's Elbow" and Clark's Bay of Hauser Lake. Just a short drive from Helena, this area offers stunning views of the Big Belt and ... -
Helena, Montana
White Sandy Recreation Site
Overview White Sandy is located on the west side of Hauser Lake at the confluence of Prickly Pear creek. White Sandy faces Eldorado Bar and the beautiful Big Belt mountains. It is in an ideal locat... -
Helena, Montana
Devil's Elbow Recreation Area
Overview Devil's Elbow Recreation Area is situated on the picturesque "Devil's Elbow" of Hauser Lake. Just a short drive from Helena, the area offers stunning views of the Big Belt and Elkhorn moun...
