Montana

The trailhead is easy to find, and has a vault toilet and a decently sized parking lot. The trail leaves from right next to the toilets, and is very easy to follow. Follow a couple easy switchbacks down the hillside, cross the memorial bridge and stop to take in the beautiful scenery before follo...

...The hike to Ptarmigan Falls begins next to the cabins near the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. There’s enough parking for about 10-16 vehicles in the lot next to the trailhead. This is a heavily trafficked area, so extra parking is available in front of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. This is where I park...

In early November we drove from Big Sky to this free campsite located on the southern part of the lake. The road is dirt but mellow. We saw no other campers the entire 2 days we were there.  We got out on our inflatable kayak the first day and paddled out on the glassy water near some enormous fl...

Every Spring (May - June) Going-to-the-Sun road remains closed to cars long after the snow has been plowed and melted. However, just past the Lake McDonald Lodge a sign declares the road open to Hikers and Bikers, providing one of Montana's best adventures.  Follow Going-to-the-Sun Road in from ...

If you park your car at the horse corral and pit toilets you will hike up a gravel road for a little bit. This part of the trail is a slight incline, then you'll stay left where the trail really starts. There are markers that indicate which way to go. There are no elevation markings, so it is har...

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 a Y and take the left fork. After about 0.07 mi., ...

Starting from the Chief Mountain Parking Area, take the trail to the left of the bathrooms at the end of the parking lot (left of the bathrooms if you are facing the bathrooms and the main road is to your right). You will quickly hike to a wooden kiosk. Read this kiosk for any pertinent informati...

Drive on 83 through the swan until you reach the turnoff for Holland Lake. The lake, campground, ranger station, and trails are all very well marked throughout this adventure. 4WD is suggested for getting to the parking lot for Holland Lake, as some of the roads may not be plowed, and there may b...

Granite Peak is considered one of the most difficult state high-points, for its remoteness and its climbing challenge.  Unfortunately, the access to this route is very remote.  Fortunately, this route to the summer is the easiest way up in terms of the technical climbing challenge.  This route, k...

The hike up Willow Creek Gorge is one of my favorites so far. Unfortunately, because of the terrain and elevation gain, I wouldn't recommend taking young kids but if you do, make sure they're attached to you in some way. There are no services at the trail head, so make sure to bring everything yo...

Devil's Canyon Overlook is a breathtaking area in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area located in Montana and Wyoming. Devil's Canyon Overlook is located in Montana about 3 miles north of the Montana, Wyoming border off HWY 37. The overlook is easily accessed from well-marked, paved roads with...

Located an hour and forty minutes east of Great Falls Montana, Crown Mountain is a fun day hike, and you'll see few if any other people. The nearest town is Augusta and a great place to stop for a burger and beer at Buckhorn Bar afterward.  From Augusta, head West on Benchmark Road for 20 miles. ...

Sullivan's Knob is just one mile north of the popular Devil's Canyon Overlook, so be sure to add this short hike (only 0.75 mi round trip) to your list if you're in the area. Coming from Devil's Canyon Overlook, the parking lot will be on the right side of the road. The trail begins from the par...

The trailhead is easily visible from the parking area and ascends into a narrow canyon surrounded by dense forest. Mill Creek is not much more than a trickle at the beginning, but slowly gets larger and follows the trail the entire hike. About a half mile in, cross the log bridge over Mill Creek....

About 2 mi. south of Condon, MT, take Rumble Creek Road east to Cooney Lookout and park at the trailhead at 4550 ft. Follow the trail for about 1 mi. and after about 100 yards after the third bridge, look for a well worn trail heading up the hill side. Take this steep, hard-packed trail and follo...

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 Refrigerator Canyon Trail is the most scenic and uniq...