Montana

Looking for the best hiking 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 Hiking Spots in and near Montana

  • Red Lodge, Montana

    West Fork - Lake Fork of Rock Creek Trail

    19 mi
    Start out at the West Fork trailhead west of Red Lodge and begin on an epic backpacking trip. This trek can easily be done anywhere from 2-5 days depending on ability and whether or not you want to take your time. Camp first at Quinnebaugh Meadows, a large meadow with great views of the Beartoot...
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  • Roscoe, Montana

    Backpack Granite Peak

    5.0
    14 mi
    There are a few ways to approach Granite Peak. The most popular route is the Mystic Lake trail in West Rosebud. It lies primarily on opinion as to which route is the best, easiest, or most scenic. I chose to start at the Phantom Creek trailhead in the East Rosebud Valley. You will follow this tra...
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  • Heron, Montana

    Ross Creek Cedars Loop

    5.0
    0.87 mi / 151 ft gain
    The Ross Creek Cedar area is a really cool area in Northwest Montana that houses some monstrous Western Red Cedar Trees (some of which have a diameter of over 12 feet and over 500 years old!). The grove is one of the few in the area that still has some really beautiful old-growth forest. Due to i...
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  • Hamilton, Montana

    Hike Blodgett Canyon Overlook

    4.7
    3 mi / 400 ft gain
    The drive up forest service road 735 can be a little sketchy. Caution is advised during winter months or if the road is wet or muddy. The road dead ends at the Canyon Creek/Blodgett Overlook trailhead. There is ample parking space and an outhouse. Begin on the Canyon Creek trail and hang a rig...
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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

    Ptarmigan Tunnel

    5.0
    10.68 mi / 2713 ft gain
    This amazing 11 mile hike with 2,300 feet of vertial gain begins behind the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn cabins. If you start early enough you can park by the trailhead, but if you get a little later start you may need to park in the main lot of the Motor Inn. As you begin your hike, you will pass the...
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  • Glacier County, Montana

    Running Eagle Falls

    5.0
    0.68 mi / 33 ft gain
    Running Eagle Falls is located just 1.1 miles west from the Two Medicine entrance in Glacier National Park. The trailhead parking lot is just off the main road going to the lake– it is essentially impossible to miss. It mimics parking spots on the side of a city street. This hike is handicap ac...
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  • Wise River, Montana

    Hike to Lower and Upper Seymour Lakes

    5.0
    12 mi
    There are so many wilderness areas to choose from in Montana, it can be quite overwhelming. But try this on for size: the Pintlers are essentially Glacier National Park, without the people. Not only does it traverse the CDT, but chances are you won't see a lot of people, if any, on your adventure...
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  • Mc Leod, Montana

    Hike to the Natural Bridge Falls

    5.0
    2 mi / 300 ft gain
    Although this recreation area is at minimum 30 minutes out from any town, the road leading to the location is amazing and allows for some sweet views. Once you arrive, there will be a relatively small, paved place to park as well as bathrooms. Right behind the bathroom is the start to the trail.T...
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  • Troy, Montana

    Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge

    5.0
    1.59 mi / 200 ft gain
    Kootenai Falls is accessed via short dirt trail from the parking lot on Highway Two between Troy and Libby. In the summer the parking lot is often full and even has some vendors selling objects and food. The trail is easy to follow and winds through the forest before descending towards the rive...
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  • Glacier County, Montana

    Pitamakan Pass

    15.36 mi / 3064 ft gain
    This gripping, 16 mile round trail reveals adventure at every turn. Nestled behind Pray Lake in Glacier National Park, the Pitamakan Pass hike will begin at the North Shore Trailhead. To access this trailhead, a fifteen dollar fee may be payed to cross Pray Lake by boat. If your pocket book is ru...
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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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  • Florence, Montana

    Backpack the Sweeney Creek Trail

    14 mi / 2600 ft gain
    The hike into Duffy Lake was approximately 7 miles with ~2600' gain. The first mile or two is fairly steep, then it will wiggle up and down the mountain until it drops down into the drainage to the lake. You can hike to Holloway Lake too if the trail isn't completely covered in snow. Late spring ...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Backpack to Cosley Lake

    27.2 mi / 475 ft gain
    The hike goes through different wooded areas, open fields, and passes by the ranger's ranch. In no time, you will be able to see the aqua blue colors of Cosley Lake, as you approach the campground for the night.The campground has pit toilets and a bear bag hanging station, along with a cooking ar...
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  • Terry Badlands, Montana

    Exploring Terry Badlands

    5.0
    Terry, Montana is a quaint little Southeastern Montana town of about 600 with great food and friendly people. Just 20 minutes down the road you'll find yourself on top of a bluff in the "Terry Badlands" with endless views in every direction. To get there leave Terry heading north on Highway 253 ...
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  • Lincoln, Montana

    Hike the Continental Divide Trail via Roger Pass

    2.33 mi / 665 ft gain
    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 Falls -- the wooden stairs off the right side of th...
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