Hikes in Montana
Where to Backpacking trail in Montana
Activities 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.
Displaying 45 of 93 routes
Route guides for Backpacking in Montana
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Grinnell Glacier Trail Route Guide
Grinnell Glacier is a spectacular hike in Glacier National Park, which will take you past stunning lakes, across vertical rock faces, and through gushing waterfalls (early in the season). You’ll have plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting all along the trail, which culminates in a spectacular lake and waterfall. All of these experiences combine to make the Grinnell Glacier hike one of the best hikes in the USA.
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Hidden Lake Overlook Trail Route Guide
We can hardly think of another short hike in the world that can rival the views from the Hidden Lake Overlook in Glacier National Park, Montana. In addition to witnessing some spectacular views, you might get lucky and spot some handsome Rocky Mountain goats nearby on the trail!
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Swiftcurrent Pass Trail Route Guide
The Swiftcurrent Pass hike is a wonderful day out on the trails, with a route that is sure to keep you guessing. There is the option of a linear hike to Granite Park Chalet and down to the loop on Going-to-the-Sun road, but make sure tocarefully confirm transportation if you’re not doing a car shuttle.
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Avalanche Lake Route Guide
Avalanche Lake is a classic hike in Glacier National Park. Setting off from Trail of the Cedars trailhead, you start your trek through a unique flora section, usually found on the Pacific coast. Continuing past roaring glacial waters of Avalanche Creek, and through a field peppered with avalanche remnants, you come to the beautiful lake cradled by snow-swept mountain peaks.
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The Highline Route Guide
The Highline is one of Glacier’s legendary hikes along the Continental Divide. Thanks to the efficient free buses along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you can take a bus back to your car from the trail – though make sure you know when the last bus is!
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Ptarmigan Tunnel Hike Route Guide
A hike to Ptarmigan Tunnel is a wonderful day out in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. The stunning Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail is known for its beautiful forest, streams, lakes and sheer cliffs. The path through the Tunnel takes you into another world, with totally different, even more breathtaking views.
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Iceberg Lake Trail Route Guide
Iceberg Lake is a wonderful hike in the Many Glacier area, especially early in the season when there are still icebergs that contrast the incredible blue colour of the water! The trail also includes beautiful wildflower meadows and stunning mountain views.
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Pitamakan Dawson Loop Route Guide
The Pitamakan Dawson Loop is a strenuous and rewarding hike on the east side of Glacier National Park. Setting out from the Two Medicine Campground, the trail takes you through many different environments in Glacier National Park. If you have the experience and fitness level to complete this hike, it is one of the best treks in the park!
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Swiftcurrent Creek and the Lakes Route Guide
The Swiftcurrent Creek hike is a wonderful day out in the Many Glacier area with great views, alpine flowers and the opportunity to see some game. Turn back anywhere along the trail, however we prefer getting to the end of the valley, just below the switchbacks up to the Pass.
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Siyeh Pass Route Guide
Siyeh Pass Loop is located on the east side of Glacier National Park and is easily considered one of the best hikes in the park. With stunning views of waterfalls, glaciers, and peaks plus a trail through meadows and forests, this is definitely a worthwhile hike in Glacier National Park.
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Cracker Lake Trail Route Guide
Cracker Lake's hike reveals stunning views of the canyon while leading you to the magical alpine lake. But before beautiful vistas envelop you, you'll have to travel along a horse loop for 2.0mi, which may not produce the most pleasant smells in the world. Once you're past this initial part of the trail, it becomes incredibly scenic and definitely worth the initial slog!
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Piegan Pass Trail Route Guide
Piegan Pass Trail is a great day out in the Many Glacier area that will take you to a spectacular viewpoint, complete with stunning mountain scenery. If you’re adventurous, try combining this with the Siyeh Pass trail, but that’s a darn long day!
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St Mary and Virginia Falls Route Guide
St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is a pleasant hike near Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. These family-friendly routes include a tranquil waterfall and a more dramatic one, along with gentle climbs through a lush green forest.
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Cedar Lakes Trail Route Guide
The Cedar Lakes Trail is a long and involved adventure in the Kootenai National Forest that yields a diversity of flora and fauna in addition to breathtaking alpine scenery. Discover a collection of idyllic lakes hidden deep in northern Montana’s unspoiled wilderness.
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Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge Trail Route Guide
The Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge Trail is a family-friendly adventure in the Kootenai National Forest that would make an excellent addition to your adventure itinerary. This exciting hike explores the banks of the Kootenai River and boasts breathtaking views of the cascades from the exciting suspension bridge.
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Rock Lake Trail Route Guide
The Rock Lake Trail is a phenomenal adventure into Montana’s Cabinet Mountains that explores the historic Heidelberg mine and a tumbling waterfall before opening to an alpine oasis. Discover a beautiful lake hidden amongst the talus slopes of Ojibway Peak and take a plunge in the refreshing glacial waters.
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Leigh Lake Hike Route Guide
The Leigh Lake Hike is a dynamic and demanding day-hike in the Kootenai National Forest. What this spectacular adventure lacks in distance, it makes up for in elevation gain, so expect to break a sweat. Although the climb is relentless, the sweeping mountain views from the shoreline of the crystalline alpine lake are well worth the effort.
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Ross Creek Cedars Trail Route Guide
The Ross Creek Cedars Trail is a pleasant hike in the Kootenai National Forest that the whole family can enjoy. This scenic and accessible route explores a beautiful grove of ancient red western cedars lined with interpretive signs that detail the unique ecology and history of the area.
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Granite Lake Hike Route Guide
Visit the last remaining glacier-fed pool in the Cabinet Mountains on the Granite Lake Hike. This high country adventure is one of a kind, and the gorgeous alpine setting is a sight to behold. Explore the Kootenai National Forest and indulge in the area’s unrivaled natural beauty.
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Sky Lakes and Hanging Valley Loop Trail Route Guide
Immerse yourself in Montana’s Cabinet Mountains and discover a hidden alpine oasis on the Sky Lakes and Hanging Valley Loop. Sweeping mountain views and several crystalline alpine pools await you after an arduous climb through the preserved wilderness abundant with a diversity of flora and fauna—what are you waiting for? Let’s go.
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Geiger Lakes via Lost Buck Pass Trail Route Guide
The Geiger Lakes via Lost Buck Pass Trail is a demanding and dynamic day-hike in the Kootenai National Forest that uncovers a hidden oasis in the preserved wilderness. While the climb is relentless, conquerors are rewarded with two scenic and secluded alpine pools flanked by the ridges anchored by Carney Peak.
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Bear and Baree Lakes Loop Trail Route Guide
Sweeping views of the Cabinet Mountains, crystalline alpine lakes, and enchanting woodlands await you on the Bear and Baree Lakes Loop Trail. This high-country hike is demanding and dynamic, requiring endurance and navigational skills—though the scenery and solitude are well worth the hassle.
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Star Peak Lookout Hike Route Guide
Hike up to the historic lookout tower above the clouds on the Star Peak Lookout Trail. Reserved for experienced hikers with good endurance and proper equipment, this arduous ascent is no walk in the park—but those who make it to the summit are rewarded with spellbinding vistas.
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Kootenai Falls Trail Route Guide
The Kootenai Falls Trail is a fun family adventure in the Kootenai National Forest that showcases the beauty and grandeur of the famed waterfall that cascades down the Kootenai River. This scenic hike is a must-add to your hiking itinerary—trust us.
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Swisher Lake to Gateway Boat Camp Hike Route Guide
Explore northern Montana and come within 0.2mi of the Canadian Border on the Swisher Lake to Gateway Boat Camp Hike. Shared with equestrians, this scenic adventure traces the scenic riverbanks of the Kootenai, exhibiting a diversity of flora and fauna along the way.
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South Fork Ross Creek Trail Route Guide
The South Fork Ross Creek Trail is a pleasant trail that explores an enchanting grove occupied by ancient giant red cedars. Traveling through the Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area, hikers can learn all about the ecology and history of the unique environment before discovering a hidden waterfall.
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Little Spar Lake Trail Route Guide
Hiking the Little Spar Lake Trail is an unforgettable experience. This high-country hike travels through a variety of terrains, most of which are washed out or overgrown—so navigation is no easy feat. Dynamic and demanding, the spell-binding scenery showcased along this route is worth the sweat.
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Callahan Creek and Historic Railway Trail Route Guide
Hiking the Callahan Creek and Historic Railway Trail is easy-going and impressively scenic. Steep in history and unrivaled in its natural beauty, this pleasant trail is ideal for those seeking a peaceful hike that the whole family can enjoy.
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Ant Flat Historical Site Nature Trail Route Guide
Seeking a family-friendly adventure near Eureka? The Ant Flat Historical Site Nature Trail is a scenic and informative stroll that explores one of the first administrative sites in northwest Montana. Today this area is now used as a natural resource education center and the trails are lined with interpretive signage.
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Rainbow Lake Trail Route Guide
Sweeping views of the Wigwam Drainage, Galton Range, and the Ten Lakes Basin await you on the Rainbow Lake Trail. This scenic high-country hike in Northern Montana explores Rainbow Lake before summiting Poorman Mountain, overlooking Eureka and the mountainous landscape.
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Murphy Lake Hike Route Guide
The Murphy Lake Hike is a family-friendly adventure in the Kootenai National Forest that explores the forested shoreline of an idyllic lake. This short but scenic trail boasts the perfect opportunity to get the whole family outside into the fresh air.
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Bluebird Lake via Highline Trail Route Guide
The Bluebird Lake via Highline Trail is a marvelous adventure in the Kootenai National Forest that begs your exploration. This relentless climb into the high country progresses through lush woodlands and meadows alongside meandering creeks to the shoreline of an idyllic alpine lake.
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Engle Peak Hike Route Guide
The Engle Peak Hike is an arduous ascent up to the summit of a famed Cabinet Mountain. While there is no doubt that this is a strenuous adventure, it is impressively scenic. Bring plenty of water and don’t forget your camera—the panoramic views from the summit are postcard perfect.
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Shannon Lake Hike Route Guide
Discover an idyllic lake in the Kootenai National Forest on the Shannon Lake Hike. This family-friendly adventure contours the timbered ridges above the Kootenai River along the Historic Highway 2 West. We love this hike, and we think you will too.
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Bighorn Trail #42 Route Guide
The Bighorn Trail #42 is an exciting expedition that explores the riverbanks of the Kootenai River. Shared with mountain bikers, this route boasts a more secluded, and arguably more scenic way to experience the Kootenai Falls.
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Little Ibex Lake Hike Route Guide
The Little Ibex Lake Hike is an arduous day hike to one of the highest alpine lakes in the Cabinet Mountains. Ford creeks, navigate boulder fields, wander through scenic woodlands and montane meadows up to the idyllic lake fed by the perpetual snowfield.
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Big Spar Lake Hike Route Guide
Get outside and reconnect with nature on the Big Spar Lake Hike. This family-friendly adventure explores the shady cedar shoreline of the picturesque lake, intersecting with meandering creeks along the way.
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McGuire Mountain Trail Route Guide
The McGuire Mountain Trail is an excellent adventure that is worth adding to your hiking itinerary. Wander through lodgepole pine forests carped with lush undergrowth and up to the exposed summit adorned with a beautiful lookout tower.
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Northwest Peak Trail Route Guide
Located in the far northwestern corner of Montana in the Kootenai National Forest, the Northwest Peak Trail is quite a scenic and secluded adventure. Explore a lush forest of pines and larch, passing by idyllic lakes before culminating at the soaring summit.
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Bullhead Lake Hike Route Guide
Wandering through Bullhead Lake trail will reward you in more ways than one. Discover Fishercap Lake and its surrounding mountains shortly into the hike. Continuing on, you will come across Redrock Lake with stunning views of Mount Grinnell with Redrock Falls below and Swiftcurrent Glacier to the West. If you are looking to spot wildlife on your hike, Bullhead Lake trail is known for its abundance of animals roaming in their natural habitat.
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Sunrift Gorge Trail Route Guide
Sunrift Gorge is a visually stunning, short hike to the narrow channels carved through the bedrock due to water melting down from Sexton Glacier. This hike is family-friendly and does not have much acceleration, so it is great for kids. Round up the family and explore this beautiful natural phenomenon right off of the Going to the Sun Road.
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Dawson Pass Trail Route Guide
Dawson Pass Trail is a beautiful hike that is quite challenging and is not for the faint of heart. While trekking through this heart-pumping trail, you will be rewarded with incredible views. Make sure to bring you bear spray as you will be hiking through prime grizzly bear habitat.
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Grinnell Lake Trail Route Guide
Grinnell Lake Trail begins from Many Glacier Hotel and takes you through stunning scenery of glacier-fed lakes. As you gaze at the beautiful mountains in the distance across from Grinnell Lake, you can see the water running down creating tiny waterfalls. This hike, although somewhat long, does not entail much elevation change.
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Lake Josephine Trail Route Guide
Lake Josephine Trail takes you on a circuit hike around the lake, with views of the mountains at every turn. This hike is great for people who want a relaxing journey with a chance to see some wildlife that lives along the trail. This is prime grizzly bear habitat, so keep your eyes open and remember your bear spray.
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McDonald Creek Trail Route Guide
McDonald Creek Trail is a family-friendly trail that has many highlights. Traveling through lush green forests, you will discover McDonald Falls rushing through the rock formations. You will also get to see views from Avalanche Creek Outlook, which showcases beautiful views of the surrounding area.
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