Whitefish, Montana
Looking for the best hiking 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 Hiking Spots in and near Whitefish
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West Glacier, Montana
Backpack to Lincoln Lake
16.75 mi / 3747 ft gainIt'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...Read more -
Kalispell, Montana
Flathead Lookout
5.02.4 mi / 666 ft gainFlathead Lookout: Sweeping Views of Montana's Crown of the Continent Flathead Lookout is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Kalispell, Montana. This 2.4-mile moderate hike leads to a historic fire lookout perched at a high vantage point, providing sweeping vi...Read more -
Kalispell, Montana
Mount Aeneas Trail
4.96.45 mi / 1819.12 ft gainThe hike to Mount Aeneas in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Flathead Valley can easily be overlooked since it is in such a geographically rich area, with Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness so close, but it is absolutely a hidden gem that doesn't get enough attention. Mount Aene...Read more -
Kalispell, Montana
Backpack to Black Lake
7 mi / 1500 ft gainBegin at Camp Misery (elev. 5,717 ft). This is a total misname by the way! It should be titled Camp On The Way To Awesomeness! Anyway, head .6 miles on Trail 8 to the intersection of trail. From here turn right on Trail 68 and hike .7 miles until the intersection where you turn right on Trail 7 f...Read more -
Kalispell, Montana
Backpack to Clayton Lake
9 mi / 1500 ft gainFrom the Camp Misery Trailhead (elev. 5,717 ft) take the left Trail 8 for .6 miles. At the junction continue left for a 1.3 mile gently ascent into Jewel Basin. Nearing Twin Lakes continue left on Trail 7 for .6 miles until you reach Trail 55. Continue right, and make sure that after a short .3 m...Read more -
West Glacier, Montana
Hike to the Mt. Brown Lookout
5.0The 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...Read more -
Flathead County, Montana
Backpack to Link Lake
1.3 mi / 600 ft gainTo reach the trailhead, travel west on US Hwy 93 for 17.9 mi. and then turn right onto Olney Crossover Rd. This road will continue for 8.8 mi. and then keep left onto NF-115 for 9.7 mi. and the destination will be on the right hand side. There is a parking area where the trailhead begins. From th...Read more -
Kalispell, Montana
Summit Lake Mountain and Nasukoin Mountain
5.012 mi / 3500 ft gainTo reach the trailhead, travel west on US Hwy 93 for 17.9 mi. and then turn right onto Olney Crossover Rd. This road will continue for 8.8 mi. and then keep left onto NF-115 for 9.7 mi. and the destination will be on the right hand side. There is a parking area where the trailhead begins. From th...Read more -
West Glacier, Montana
Waterton Lake via Bowman Lake
49.5 mi / 6365 ft gainOur trip started on Thursday evening, spending the night at the Bowman Lake campground. You can park your car here and it's where the hike will start and end. I recommend staying here the night before because day 1 is a doozy, so you'll want an early start. Day 1 is the hardest day of the hike, ...Read more -
West Glacier, Montana
Bowman Lake to Quartz Lake Loop
5.013.3 mi / 2618 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
Flathead County, Montana
Bowman Lake
5.013.83 mi / 361.77 ft gainBowman lake is the 3rd largest lake in Glacier National Park and one of the most remote areas accessible by car. The drive out on a dirt road is slow and bumpy but the reward is an area without crowds and lots of adventure potential. The first-come-first-served campground offers 48 sites near t...Read more -
West Glacier, Montana
Trail of the Cedars
5.00.81 mi / 160.1 ft gainAvalanche 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...Read more -
West Glacier, Montana
Trail of the Cedars
4.50.88 mi / 121 ft gainTrail of the Cedars Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Lake Mc Donald, Montana.Read more -
West Glacier, Montana
Avalanche Lake via Trail of Cedars
4.95.95 mi / 997.38 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Bigfork, Montana
Explore Graves Creek Falls
Graves Creek Falls are a series of pleasant waterfalls viewable without much effort. To get here From Hungry Horse drive south on the West Side Road (Forest Road 895) 33.6 miles to the Graves Creek Campground. From here turn right into the campground, park and take a short walk of a couple hundre...Read more -
Essex, Montana
Hike to Dickey Lake
5.2 mi / 1463 ft gain*Parking for this hike is very limited, as the parking area can hold one, maybe two, vehicles. This 5.2 mile roundtrip hike begins near Essex, Montana, at 4,620 feet of elevation, and leads to a small, hidden lake nestled in the Great Bear Wilderness. Immediately after leaving the parking area, ...Read more