Hikes in Montana

Montana is a state of big mountains, abundant game, clean rivers and incredible lakes. For travellers who make the journey, it is also a place to find solitude, as much of the state is still in the same condition it was 100 years ago, before it was heavily settled. We love Montana, and exploring the mountains on foot or ski, the lakes in canoe, and the rivers by kayak, is the best way to explore this state.

Montana is full of so much nature to discover – and you’ll definitely feel like an explorer, as there are lots of places that aren’t crowded, and a hiker or biker can simply get away from the maddening crowds.

In winter, Big Sky and Whitefish offer world-class skiing, and midweek you’ll have the ski runs mostly to yourself. Winter is also a great time to explore Montana on XC skis or snowshoes and fall in love in the tranquility of a Montana winter.

Summer in Montana is more crowded, as campgrounds fill up and tourists flock to the cabins that fringe the great lakes that you can find throughout the state. There is still plenty of space to hike in the Rocky Mountains, ride your bike on beautiful, quiet roads or backpack. Glacier National Park is a highlight of the state, but not the only place to spend your time.

What’s New in 2026

• Glacier National Park has dropped vehicle reservations for 2026, but there are new parking and shuttle rules. For the first time in five years the park is not requiring a timed vehicle reservation to drive in, including the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier and Two Medicine. You still need a park entrance pass. Check the park’s site for the current-season detail before you travel.
• This is grizzly country, so carry bear spray and know how to use it. Montana holds the densest grizzly bear population in the Lower 48 outside Yellowstone, concentrated in and around Glacier and the Cabinet Mountains that hold many of the Kootenai trails. Black bears are widespread too. Carry bear spray in an accessible holster, not buried in your pack, hike in a group, make noise on blind corners and through berry patches, and never approach or run from wildlife. Note that you cannot fly with bear spray, so buy or rent it once you arrive.
• Mountain weather and snow set the calendar. The Going-to-the-Sun Road typically opens to Logan Pass between mid-June and early July depending on snowpack, and the high alpine trails hold snow into July. Even in midsummer the temperature at a pass can drop from shirtsleeve warmth to near freezing within half an hour, and exposed routes like the Highline give little shelter, so carry layers and rain gear whatever the forecast.

The Best Hikes in Montana

Montana’s trails run from the famous glacial cirques of Glacier National Park to the quiet, cedar-shaded lakes of the Kootenai Forest in the northwest. Here are some of the best across the state to start your planning:

• Grinnell Glacier Trail One of the finest hikes in the country, this Many Glacier classic passes turquoise lakes and waterfalls to a glacier-fed basin. Wildlife sightings are common the whole way.
• Hidden Lake Overlook Trail A short, high-reward walk from Logan Pass with a chance to see mountain goats, and a good option given the new three-hour parking limit at the pass.
• The Highline A legendary traverse along the Continental Divide, best done using the reservation shuttle so you are not tied to Logan Pass parking. Exposed in places, so pick a settled day.
• Iceberg Lake Trail A Many Glacier favourite through wildflower meadows to a lake that keeps its icebergs well into summer. Prime bear country, so travel in a group and make noise.
• Avalanche Lake One of the park’s most accessible classics, from the Trail of the Cedars through old-growth forest to a lake ringed by waterfalls. Note the park shuttle will not serve this trailhead in 2026.
• St Mary and Virginia Falls A gentle, family-friendly walk near Logan Pass linking two waterfalls through green forest, ideal if you want the Glacier scenery without a big day.
• Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge Trail In the northwest of the state, a short, thrilling family hike along the Kootenai River to a suspension bridge over the cascades.
• Ross Creek Cedars Trail An easy, accessible loop through a grove of ancient western red cedars in the Kootenai Forest, with interpretive signs on the area’s ecology.
• Rock Lake Trail A Cabinet Mountains adventure past a historic mine to an alpine lake beneath Ojibway Peak, a fine taste of the quieter, wilder side of Montana hiking.
• Leigh Lake Hike Short on distance but big on climb, this Cabinet Mountains hike rewards the effort with a crystalline alpine lake framed by sweeping peaks.

When is the Best Time to Hike in Montana?

The heart of Montana’s hiking season runs from July through September, when the snow has cleared from the high country and the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open. July and August bring the best weather, peak wildflowers and the biggest crowds, so early starts pay off, especially with the new Logan Pass parking limits. September is a quieter, photogenic month with golden larch and highly active bears feeding before winter, which makes bear awareness all the more important. Lower-elevation trails, including many in the Kootenai Forest, open earlier in the season and can be walked into the shoulder months. In winter, the state turns to skiing and snowshoeing, with Big Sky and Whitefish offering world-class terrain.

Other Outdoor Activities in Montana

Hiking is only the start in Montana. The state’s rivers and lakes are made for paddling, fishing and boating, its mountains draw climbers, mountain bikers and horseback riders in summer, and in winter the resorts and backcountry open up for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. If you would like to combine hiking with backpacking, the state also has a network of longer routes: browse backpacking routes in Montana.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Montana

Do you need a permit to hike in Montana?

For most day hikes, no. Trails in the national forests, such as the Kootenai, are generally free to walk, though some trailheads charge for parking. Glacier National Park, however, requires a park entrance pass, and while the vehicle reservation system has been dropped for 2026, long hikes from Logan Pass are easiest to reach using the reservation-based express shuttle. Backcountry camping in the park requires a separate wilderness permit. Always check the managing agency for your specific trail before you go.

Are there grizzly bears in Montana?

Yes. Montana has the densest grizzly bear population in the Lower 48 outside Yellowstone, centred on Glacier National Park and the northwest ranges including the Cabinet Mountains, and black bears live throughout the state. Encounters are uncommon and most bears avoid people, but you should be prepared: carry bear spray in an accessible holster, hike in a group, make noise, keep a clean camp, and never approach or run from a bear. Because you cannot fly with bear spray, plan to buy or rent a canister after you arrive.

When does the Going-to-the-Sun Road open?

The full Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass usually opens sometime between mid-June and early July, depending on how quickly the winter snowpack can be plowed, and it stays open until autumn snows close it again. Lower sections open earlier. Because the exact date shifts every year, check the National Park Service road-status page as you plan, and have a lower-elevation backup in mind for an early-summer trip.

Plan Your Trip to Montana

Montana is one of the great hiking states of hiking in the United States, and its headline destinations, Glacier National Park and the Kootenai National Forest, each have their own hub linked at the top of this page. If you would rather have the planning handled, browse our Guided tours in the United States.