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Whitefish, Montana

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

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Whitefish

  • 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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  • 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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  • Browning, Montana

    Backpack to Poia Lake, Glacier NP

    12.8 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Located in Many Glacier, the Red Gap Pass trail begins at the Apikuni Falls Trailhead located east of the Many Glacier Lodge (if you're looking to check out the falls before your hike, check out Hike to Apikuni Falls at Glacier National Park). The trail starts at a gradual incline and continue th...
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  • Waterton, Alberta

    Backpack the Alderson-Carthew Trail

    5.0
    12.4 mi / 4101.1 ft gain
    Take the Akamina Parkway in Wateron Lakes National Park to its terminus at Cameron Lake. Your hike will start from here. If you’re through-hiking either drop another vehicle off at Cameron Falls in the town site, or be prepared to hitch a ride back to Cameron Lake, due to heavy traffic this is ...
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  • East Glacier Park, Montana

    Dawson Pass

    5.0
    12.01 mi / 2450 ft gain
    This is a somewhat strenuous but extremely rewarding hike in Glacier National Park. It is much less crowded than the more popular Logan Pass and High Line trails, and in my opinion, more rewarding. Dawson Pass is on the Continental Divide at an elevation of 7,598 feet. It sits between Mt. Helen ...
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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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  • 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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  • Browning, Montana

    Backpack the Continental Divide in Glacier NP

    4.0
    33.4 mi / 5257 ft gain
    Park your car at the Two Medicine North Shore Trailhead, and take a National Park Shuttle (if they are running during the season--they stop around Labor Day in September) or set up a private shuttle service to St. Mary and the Red Eagle Trailhead (only ~$10-20 bucks a person).The first day from t...
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  • Waterton, Alberta

    Hike to Crypt Lake

    4.3
    10.8 mi / 2296.6 ft gain
    The hike begins with a gradual climb through shaded forest, which thins as you progress into the hanging valley. Along the way, you will pass by three amazing waterfalls: Twin Falls at 3.5km (2 mi), Burnt Rock Falls at 5.6km (3.5 mi) and the 600ft Crypt Falls at 8km (5 mi). There is also a 1km (0...
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  • Flathead National Forest, Montana

    Hike Montana's Swan Crest Trail

    47 mi
    Getting There: Coming from Seeley Lake, take the road towards Bigfork. Continue until you get to mile marker 27 and turn right into the Morrell/Clearwater turn off. Stay on the road most traveled until you dead end at the trail head roughly 7 miles up the road. Park here. The Trail: The trail ...
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