The Best Backpacking in Madison County

Hollow Top Lake is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Pony, Montana.

Bear Trap Canyon is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Norris, Montana.

Beehive Basin Trail No. 40 is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Big Sky, Montana.

Garnet Mountain Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Gallatin Gateway, Montana.

The 6 mile round trip to Lava Lake is a steady climb that runs beside Cascade Creek through the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The trail starts at the Gallatin River and continues upward through dense evergreen forest. There are no confusing intersections but is quite rocky and considered to be moderate...

Starting in Bozeman, travel south of Gallatin Gateway about 5 miles on Hwy 191 and turn left on to Storm Castle Creek Road. Follow this road for about 3.5 miles until the road ends. At this point, there is a decent sized parking area. The trail is open year round with ATV access and also snowmobi...

The Golden Trout lakes offer a scenic getaway just out of the Gallatin Valley Canyon. To access the trail head, turn east onto Portal Creek Road #984 and continue southeast for 6.8 miles. The road is in rough condition and is better suited for vehicles with a higher clearance. The trail head is e...

There are some different options for starting and ending this hike, but the route I did started at Buffalo Horn Trailhead and ends at the Hyalite Creek Trailhead, and is approximately 42 miles total. I did the trail over the course of three and a half days, spending three nights in the backcountr...

Sky Rim Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Big Sky, Montana.

Mystic Lake via New World Gulch Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Bozeman, Montana.

Black Butte Trail to Big Horn Peak is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Gardiner, Montana.

Gorge Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Dillon, Montana.