{"id":143291,"date":"2020-03-11T16:28:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T23:28:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=143291"},"modified":"2023-12-22T17:15:51","modified_gmt":"2023-12-23T01:15:51","slug":"best-hikes-in-montana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/best-hikes-in-montana","title":{"rendered":"Best Hikes in Montana"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"cb-itemprop\" itemprop=\"reviewBody\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Montana\u2019s web of rivers, lakes, mountains and meadows means you could throw a dart at the state map and end up with a bucket-list adventure. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or you can start here. We\u2019ve rounded up some of our favorite hikes in Big Sky Country. But hiker beware: This list only scratches the surface.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hikingproject.com\/trail\/7004177\/ousel-falls\"><b>Ousel Falls<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 46 miles southwest of Bozeman<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Length<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 1.6-mile out-and-back<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Difficulty Rating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Intermediate<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Best For<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A family day out in the summer<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dogs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Leashed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re yearning to get outside on a warm summer day, head to this trail outside of the town of Big Sky. The shady path along the South Fork West Fork Gallatin River stays cool, making it a refreshing place for a walk, especially if you have a few wee ones in tow. Kids and bird fans will enjoy watching <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/field-guide\/bird\/american-dipper\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American dippers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which make their home along the river, popping in and out of the water. However, it\u2019s the 100-foot-tall Ousel Falls that\u2019s the real attraction along this route, especially when snowmelt ramps up its flow in early summer. Wildflowers and pleasant temperatures are also a draw in summer, though the trail is open year-round. If you hike the route in winter, you can enjoy the icy spires of the cascade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_147101\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-147101\" class=\"size-article_body wp-image-147101\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/03\/Ousel-Falls.jpg?resize=1024%2C768\" alt=\"A heavy flow of water tumbles over Ousel Falls.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-147101\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ousel Falls (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/brandonschauer\/2838785568\/in\/photolist-5jRw7u-5jRw3L-nxpLFT-nYg28D\">Brandon Schauer<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\">CC-BY-SA 2.0<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/flathead\/recreation\/camping-cabins\/recarea\/?recid=66992&amp;actid=50\"><b>Holland Falls National Recreation Trail<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 77.1 miles northeast of Missoula<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Length<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 3.4-mile out-and-back<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Difficulty Rating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Intermediate<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Best For<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A lakeside trail with views<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dogs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Leashed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though Holland Lake\u2019s crisp, clear waters may beckon as you hike this National Recreation Trail in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/flathead\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flathead National Forest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s worth pushing on as the best is yet to come. There\u2019s a bit of a climb near the eastern end of the lake, but tackling it leads you to Holland Falls and an amazing view of the lake and the Mission Mountains. A great option any time of year (just come prepared if it\u2019s winter), this well-marked trek has become a popular stop for all types of hikers thanks to its easy access from the Holland Lake <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">campground<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and recreation area. Plus, if you snag a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/camping\/campgrounds\/234486\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tent site<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can cap off your day by watching the sunset over the lake.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_147108\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-147108\" class=\"size-article_body wp-image-147108\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/03\/Holland-Lake.jpg?resize=1024%2C686\" alt=\"Snowcapped mountains reflect in Holland Lake waters.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-147108\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Holland Lake Overlook (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/usdagov\/7584330832\/in\/photolist-cycFjG-4EBWMi-bWTEyF-bWTEMP-2hczLX3-ceg3Qf-ceg39A-4p1nZ-38voFw-pqr5C8-4DUjs-4s32U-4quZd\">U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC-BY 2.0<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitmt.com\/listings\/general\/national-park-trail\/avalanche-lake-trail.html\">Avalanche Lake<\/a> via Trail of the Cedars<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 49.3 miles northeast of Kalispell<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Length<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 6.2-mile out-and-back<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Difficulty Rating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Intermediate<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Best For<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Awe-inspiring scenery via an easy trail<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dogs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: No dogs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re headed to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/glac\/index.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glacier National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and looking for an easier adventure, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glacier Cedar Forest<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Avalanche Lake are two of the park\u2019s most popular destinations, and you can hit them both in one go. The hike starts on the wheelchair-accessible <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trail of the Cedars<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a boardwalk that leads through an old-growth forest. From there, continue up the drainage of Avalanche Creek to reach its namesake lake where thin waterfalls pour down the cirque into the valley. Keep hiking along the shore for the best chance to snag a private lunch spot where you can refuel.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><!-- END Hiking Project --><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hikinginglacier.com\/iceberg-lake.htm\"><b>Iceberg Lake Trail<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<h2><!-- BEGIN Hiking Project --><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 47.5 miles northwest of Browning<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Length<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 9.8-mile out-and-back<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Difficulty Rating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Intermediate<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Best For<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A beautiful trek through Glacier National Park<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dogs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: No dogs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Iceberg Lake is one of the most popular destinations in Glacier National Park, and once you reach it, you\u2019ll see why. The icy, blue water is often dotted with small icebergs early in the hiking season, and its shores are hemmed in by the cliff walls of the cirque in which it sits. That view alone is worth the 5-mile hike in, but if you\u2019re looking to add on a little extra adventure, you can also visit <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ptarmigan Tunnel<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Originally constructed in 1930 to ease access to the difficult terrain beyond the mountain pass, the tunnel continues to be the best way to snag views north of the ridge, including Elizabeth Lake. (Beware: The tunnel is closed in winter months.) Just keep in mind, this detour adds a little more than 5 miles to your trip, so plan for a full day out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsidebozeman.com\/magazine\/archives\/summer-2012\/hyalite-peak-bozemans-favorite\"><b>Hyalite Peak<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 21.5 miles south of Bozeman<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Length<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 14.7-mile out-and-back<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Difficulty Rating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Intermediate<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Best For<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A long day full of adventure<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dogs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Leashed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to take time to appreciate the waterfalls and wildflowers along this out-and-back, which follows the lively Hyalite Creek. While most of the hike isn\u2019t too difficult, there are a few short switchbacks to navigate as you head above treeline and the views open up. The last section on the way to the summit of Hyalite Peak gets a bit steep and rocky, but the views are expansive. If you\u2019ve planned on a night or two out, go ahead and carry on exploring, otherwise, head back the way you came. Hyalite Lake is an ideal place to eat lunch and dip your toes on the way out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><!-- END Hiking Project --><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsidebozeman.com\/places\/trails\/lava-lake-trail\"><b>Lava Lake Trail<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<h2><!-- BEGIN Hiking Project --><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 27.8 miles southwest of Bozeman<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Length<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 5.7-mile out-and-back<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Difficulty Rating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Difficult<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Best For<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A summertime workout<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dogs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Leashed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This out-and-back makes for a great workout. The trail is well-shaded and runs along Cascade Creek for its entire length, so you\u2019ll stay cool while you make your way into the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/detailfull\/bdnf\/specialplaces\/?cid=fsm9_003374\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lee Metcalf Wilderness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The wide trail allows hikers to move at their own pace, so it\u2019s easy to navigate around slower parties or to take a breather. Lava Lake is nestled below several 10,000-plus-foot peaks. Take a swim, do a little fishing or simply enjoy the views. Bonus: If you\u2019re looking to do an overnight, there are a few wooded campsites to choose from.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><!-- END Hiking Project --><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hikinginglacier.com\/grinnell-glacier.htm\"><b>Grinnell Glacier<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<h2><!-- BEGIN Hiking Project --><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 20.4 miles northwest of St. Mary<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Length<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 10.3-mile out-and-back<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Difficulty Rating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Difficult<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Best For<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Iconic Glacier National Park scenery<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dogs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: No dogs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite a difficult hike, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grinnell<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the most popular sights in Glacier National Park, and as such, it will likely be crowded. With points of interest along the entire trail, you can turn back at any time and feel accomplished, but the views of the valley get better the farther you hike. The trail winds along Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine before ascending out of the forest. As you climb, Grinnell Lake pops into view, cheering you on. Ringed with wildflowers and brick-red cliffs home to mountain goats, the power-blue water seems of another world. The valley walls grow as you make your way to the cirque, where the remains of Grinnell Glacier still feed the frigid waters of Upper Grinnell Lake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/rootsrated.com\/jackson-hole-wy\/hiking\/sky-rim-trail-big-horn-peak\"><b>Sky Rim<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 30.4 miles north of West Yellowstone<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Length<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 19.4-mile loop<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Difficulty Rating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Difficult<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Best For<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A backpacking trip through amazing terrain\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dogs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: No dogs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most folks who visit Yellowstone head straight for the geysers, leaving this remote trail open for more intrepid backpackers. It starts as a steady, mellow climb, but once you gain the ridgeline, the path undulates as all the way to the summit of Big Horn Peak. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife: Goats, elk and deer are common, and this is bear country, so you might <a href=\"\/blog\/hike\/how-to-use-bear-spray\">consider carrying bear spray<\/a>. Though the terrain is rocky and you\u2019ll need to watch your footing, remember to look up. The views of the surrounding peaks deserve your attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Trespass-Sweetgrass-Cottonwood Loop<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 50.2 miles northeast of Bozeman<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Length<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 23.1-mile loop<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Difficulty Rating<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Difficult<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Best For<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A rugged and remote backpacking trek<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Dogs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Leashed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This hike includes everything you could want in a backpacking adventure; mountain passes, creek walks, lakes, wildlife, views and even a few small glaciers. You\u2019ll mostly stay low in the valleys as you follow creeks through the Crazy Mountains range, but don\u2019t be fooled\u2014there\u2019s nearly 7,000 feet of elevation gain along the route. There are plenty of campsites to choose from and numerous lakes to stop by for snack breaks. Nestled below a few glaciers to the south and Conical Peak to the north, Glacier Lake is a particularly lovely spot. Be sure to hike up Conical Peak to soak in the views of the Crazies before continuing your trek.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- BEGIN Hiking Project --><\/p>\n<p><!-- END Hiking Project --><\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Montana\u2019s web of rivers, lakes, mountains and meadows means you could throw a dart at the state map and end up with a bucket-list adventure. Or you can start here. We\u2019ve rounded up some of our favorite hikes in Big Sky Country. But hiker beware: This list only scratches the surface. Ousel Falls Location: 46 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":195174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[387,388],"tags":[15,2017,707,254,1540],"internal-tag":[1442],"class_list":["post-143291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hike","category-travel","tag-backpacking","tag-best-hikes","tag-hiking","tag-montana","tag-mountain-west","internal-tag-seo"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/travel\/best-hikes-in-montana","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Best Hikes in Montana","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/best-hikes-in-montana","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/best-hikes-in-montana"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/03\/Orme_112319_0017.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/03\/Orme_112319_0017.jpg?fit=2000%2C1000"},"articleSection":"Hike","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Michelle Flandreau"}],"creator":["Michelle Flandreau"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["backpacking","best hikes","hiking","montana","mountain west"],"dateCreated":"2020-03-11T23:28:43Z","datePublished":"2020-03-11T23:28:43Z","dateModified":"2023-12-23T01:15:51Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Best Hikes in Montana\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/travel\\\/best-hikes-in-montana\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/travel\\\/best-hikes-in-montana\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Orme_112319_0017.jpg?resize=150%2C150\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/Orme_112319_0017.jpg?fit=2000%2C1000\"},\"articleSection\":\"Hike\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Michelle Flandreau\"}],\"creator\":[\"Michelle Flandreau\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Uncommon Path \\u2013 An REI Co-op Publication\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"backpacking\",\"best hikes\",\"hiking\",\"montana\",\"mountain west\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2020-03-11T23:28:43Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-03-11T23:28:43Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-12-23T01:15:51Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rei.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/03\/Orme_112319_0017.jpg?fit=2000%2C1000","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143291"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":195173,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143291\/revisions\/195173"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/195174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143291"},{"taxonomy":"internal-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-tag?post=143291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}