Hikes in Montana

The Huckleberry Mountain Lookout is a rewarding hike through fields lined with juicy huckleberries that are a favorite among hikers and other species. The lookout is still used by the National Park Service to monitor wildfires, so you can imagine the expansive views that Huckleberry Mountain lookout covers. Hike to the tower and feast your eyes on miles of lush green forests and cool gray mountains in the distance.

The Beaver Pond Trail is a place that holds a lot of history, from the Historic Ranger Station and barn to the Red Eagle Fire that burned 34,000 acres of Glacier National Park and Blackfeet Lands in 2006. Wander through the groves and grassy fields, and don’t forget to check out the marshy shores of Beaver Pond for a moose or two, as this is their favourite place to forage. Continue past Red Eagle Lake, and you will see more damage done by the fires as you pass burned tree trunks heading to St. Mary Lake and out of this trail.

The Apikuni Falls Trail is a short hike but provides the hiker with a challenge. As you hike towards the falls, you can hear water roaring in the distance, propelling excitement for the natural wonders to come! Eventually, you will emerge and see the 30 m waterfall exploding down the cliff face. With care, you can head down to the lower half of the waterfall to take in its beauty.

The Cobalt Lake Trail has a little bit of everything for you to explore while getting a great workout. The trail is filled with views of mountain peaks, colorful wildflowers, powerful waterfalls and sparkling lakes. Treat yourself to magnific views and see why the Cobalt Lake Trail is so popular.

The Florence Falls Trail is a captivating journey through rushing waterfalls like Deadwood Falls and cool grey mountain backdrops from Gunsight and Fusillade Mountains and Mount Jackson. Pass through thimbleberry patches and chest-high vegetation, which are an excellent source of food and a good hiding spot for grizzly bears, so keep an eye out and make some noise! If you can climb up some steep rocks, you will be able to stand on top of Florence Falls and watch the water crash down over 30 m.

Kootenai Lake Trail is in an interesting spot as it’s located right at the border of Canada and the United States. Your hike to the Kootenai Lake Trail actually begins on the Waterton Valley Trail and takes you through a beautifully green forest with relatively no elevation. Kootenai Lake is surrounded by the Porcupine Ridge, which holds the Citadel Peaks and makes for a wonderful setting.

Enjoy a hike through Medicine Grizzly Lake’s Trail and explore the beauty that makes up this popular trail. Walking on mostly flat ground, with a few patches of climbing, you will see Mad Wolf and Bad Marriage mountain soar above the grassy plains. As you carry on, you will be met with Cut Bank Creek that flows into moose territory, and you may spot a grey wolf as well. Right before you hit your destination of Medicine Grizzly Lake, you will wander through a field full of colourful wildflowers.

Take a day to explore all that Upper Two Medicine Trail has to offer. From the peaks of Pumpelly Pillar, to the rushing waters of Twins Falls, immerse yourself in the wilderness and possibly see some wildlife in their natural habitat. Towards the end, look for the large rock formation sticking out that provides excellent views of all of Two Medicine Valley.

The Numa Ridge Lookout Trail is located in the remote northwestern area of the Glacier National Park. It caters to hikers who are looking for the wilderness experience and who prefer to hike in solitude. Explore the beauty of this trail as you hike through the mountains and take in views of the surrounding areas.

The Loneman Lookout Trail is in the remote wilderness in the southern end of Glacier National Park, where visitors rarely journey to. The hike challenges you with elevation gains and showcases some of the most stunning views of the surrounding areas. This is a great opportunity for hikers who enjoy long, remote hikes and prefer to explore in solitude.

Hikers looking for a real challenge are invited to hike the Mount Brown Lookout Trail, which has constant acceleration for the majority of the trek. Hikers will test themselves by ascending 1,280 m in just 8.0 km during one of the toughest hikes in Glacier National Park. The views at the end make this hike well worth the effort, with captivating views of the forest, mountains and lake below. At the top of this hike you will feel on top of the world.

Hidden Meadow Trail is a short, unique trail that tells the story of a wildfire that burned through the trail 25 years ago. The trees that were affected can be seen sticking straight up in the air, with new, prosperous green trees growing beneath them. The trail takes you to a clearing with a large pond, which is a nice place to sit and have a snack and take a look around to see if any wildlife are nearby.

Otokomi Lake Trail is a stunning maze of cascading waterfalls through Rose Creek canyon, some of which you can see and some you can only hear in the distance. You’ll also find deep red rock mountains that hover over the basin of Otokomi Lake sprawled across this hike. The trail is a mix between dense forest and high vegetation, where you will find different types of berries, so make sure you make some noise to alert any bears in the area. On this hike, always be on the lookout for short side trails as this is where some of the best views are.

Elk Mountain Trail is a challenging hike completely uphill that will test your abilities. After a long and steep hike, you will come to an open area where views of the Southern end of Glacier National Park, the Great Bear Wilderness, and the plains and Blackfeet Reservation come into view. As you ascend higher, you will summit at the top, and you can take in stunning views of the surrounding area, and Mount St. Nicholas will appear.

In the beginning of the Sperry Chalet Trail, you wind through the Gunsight Pass Trail and walk through dense steep terrain. Once you emerge from here, you will see the damage that the Sprague fire did when it burned through 16,982 acres in 2017. The fire definitely didn’t take any beauty away from this trail, and many people flock to it to see the magic of Sperry Chalet Trail.

Explore Harrison Lake Trail if you are looking for a remote, wilderness experience that few people ever see. The trail is a beautiful hike through the mountains and allows you to experience many remote glacier hiking opportunities. The trail used to lead to the shores of Harrison Lake; however, it has now been overgrown, so if you want to see the lake up close, get ready to climb your way through the bush!

Gunsight Lake Trail is a beautiful journey through the mountains that showcases Gunsight, Fusillade and Citadel Mountain, as well as Mount Jackson and Mount Logan. Also on display are Blackfoot and Jackson Glacier that house stunning views. When you reach Gunsight Lake, sandy beaches surround the lakeshore and are the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch.

The hike through Johns Lake Loop Trail is a relaxing walk through nature and boasts views of the surrounding cool grey mountains, rushing waters in the nearby creeks and gorgeous views of Lake McDonald. Spend a few hours basking in the beauty of Johns Lake Loop Trail and see why it is a popular destination for hikers. This trail is horse-friendly, so you may be hiking alongside some furry companions.

Paradise Point Trail is a very scenic trail; the trailhead alone is even worth a visit. Take in views of Lone Walker Mountain, Painted Tepee Peak, Sinopah Mountain, and Mt. Helen before embarking on the trail itself. Head to the beach to enjoy a picnic with views of Rising Wolf Mountain or take a kayak out to test the waters.

The hike through Swiftcurrent Nature Trail leads you through the mountains, across the lakes and even gives you the chance to take a boat ride surrounded by soaring peaks. The hike is relatively relaxing and is popular for its boat ride through Lake Josephine and the multiple trail routes within the area branching off of Swiftcurrent Nature Trail. Explore the wilderness and experience a day on the lake by hiking this stunning trail.