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Best Hiking in Montana

This list represents the most popular hiking in Montana (learn more about Top Trails). Use this list to plan your next Montana hiking trip. Select a state and/or activity below to find even more top trails.

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#1. Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (Backpacking)

  
An unusual trip along the majestic Yellowstone River nearly the entire route. The Black Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of the classic backpacking trips of the northern Rockies. It seems to offer eve…
From the guidebook "Best Backpacking Vacations in the Northern Rockies"
Mammoth , WY - Hiking - 18.5 miles    Best Trail in WY - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#2. Three Passes in Glacier (Backpacking)

  
A fairly short backpacking trip through outstanding mountain scenery, mostly above timberline. The name Two Medicine comes from the Blackfeet history that refers to two medicine lodges built in the ar…
From the guidebook "Best Backpacking Vacations in the Northern Rockies"
East Glacier , MT - Hiking - 18.8 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#3. Fifty Mountain (Backpacking)

  
A long trek through the alpine heart of Glacier National Park. The first 3 miles of the trail go along the Garden Wall directly above Going-to-the- Sun Highway. Some of this is on ledge, which can be…
From the guidebook "Best Backpacking Vacations in the Northern Rockies"
Columbia Falls , MT - Hiking - 30.5 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#4. Gunsight Pass

  
A backpack from Jackson Glacier Overlook to Lake Ellen Wilson, 10.9 miles (17.5 km); from Jackson Glacier Overlook to Sperry Chalet, 13.6 miles (22 km); or from Jackson Glacier Overlook to Lake McDona…
From the guidebook "Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks"
Saint Mary , MT - Hiking - 20 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#5. Boulder Pass (Backpacking)

  
A long, scenic shuttle starting in Canada and ending in the United States. Boulder Pass is a truly classic trip and has achieved some widespread popularity because of it. The NPS limits use with the n…
From the guidebook "Best Backpacking Vacations in the Northern Rockies"
Columbia Falls , MT - Hiking - 30.6 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#6. Nyack Loop (Backpacking)

  
A long backpacking expedition for experienced hikers into the most remote section of Glacier National Park. Many trails in Glacier Park are heavily used. Others receive surprisingly little use, althou…
From the guidebook "Best Backpacking Vacations in the Northern Rockies"
West Glacier , MT - Hiking - 37.3 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#7. Haystack Butte

  
This section of the Highline Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park, owing to its spectacular vistas, excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, and low level of difficulty. The trail follo…
From the guidebook "Best Easy Day Hikes: Glacier & Waterton Lakes"
Saint Mary , MT - Hiking - 6.8 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#8. Grinnell Lake

  
This trail visits a glacier-fed lake at the base of a stunning waterfall. The lake is reached most easily by taking a tour boat across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. More adventurous hikers can…
From the guidebook "Best Easy Day Hikes: Glacier & Waterton Lakes"
Babb , MT - Hiking - 6.8 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#9. Boulder Pass

  
A backpack from Kintla Lake to Upper Kintla Campground, 11.6 miles (18.5 km); from Kintla Lake to Boulder Pass, 17.7 miles (28.5 km); or from Kintla Lake to Goat Haunt Ranger Station, 31.4 miles (50.5…
From the guidebook "Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks"
Polebridge , MT - Hiking - 31.4 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#10. Apikuni Falls

  
This short, steep trail leads up to the desolate cliffs of Apikuni Mountain to visit a long and slender waterfall. Hikers will get excellent mountain views throughout the trek. The hike begins on Apik…
From the guidebook "Best Easy Day Hikes: Glacier & Waterton Lakes"
Babb , MT - Hiking - 2 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#11. Dawson-Pitamakan

  
A day hike or backpack from Two Medicine Campground to Dawson Pass, 5.7 miles (9 km); from upper boat dock to Dawson Pass, 3.2 miles (5 km); round trip loop from Two Medicine Campground, 18.8 miles (3…
From the guidebook "Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks"
East Glacier , MT - Hiking - 18.8 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#12. Blue Lake

  
A fairly accessible alpine lake basin below Crazy Peak in the Crazy Mountains. Blue Lake and four other beautiful lakes are nestled in a high basin in the shadow of mighty Crazy Peak, the highest poin…
From the guidebook "Hiking Montana"
Big Timber , MT - Hiking - 8 miles    Best Trail in MT - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#13. The Beaten Path (Backpacking)

  
The most popular trans-Beartooth route. Many people who know the Beartooths say the East Rosebud is the most scenic valley of all. It’s filled with lakes and waterfalls that would be major tourism att…
From the guidebook "Best Backpacking Vacations in the Northern Rockies"
Roscoe , MT - Hiking - 26 miles   
Published by Falcon Publishing

#14. Iceberg Lake

  
A day hike from Swiftcurrent Inn to Iceberg Lake. Iceberg Lake is a striking, aquamarine tarn, which is surrounded on three sides by towering cliffs. Ice-out may not occur until mid-July, and bergs fo…
From the guidebook "Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks"
Babb , MT - Hiking - 9 miles   
Published by Falcon Publishing

#15. Avalanche Lake

  
The Avalanche Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier, due to its gentle grade and spectacular destination. Hikers seeking solitude should go elsewhere, since throngs of bearbell-bedeck…
From the guidebook "Best Easy Day Hikes: Glacier & Waterton Lakes"
West Glacier , MT - Hiking - 4.6 miles   
Published by Falcon Publishing

#16. The Gallatin Skyline (Backpacking)

  
A long adventure through the best high country of the northeastern corner of Yellowstone. Regardless of how experienced or well-conditioned you are (and you must be both to attempt this trip!), this h…
From the guidebook "Best Backpacking Vacations in the Northern Rockies"
Mammoth , WY - Hiking - 40.3 miles    Best Trail in WY - Click to view all (About Top Trails)
Published by Falcon Publishing

#17. Ptarmigan Tunnel

  
A day hike or backpack from Swiftcurrent Inn to Ptarmigan Tunnel, 5.0 miles (8 km); or from Swiftcurrent Inn to Elizabeth Lake foot, 9.8 miles (16 km). The spectacular views and only moderate difficul…
From the guidebook "Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks"
Babb , MT - Hiking - 19.6 miles   
Published by Falcon Publishing

#18. Beehive Basin

  
Beehive Basin sits in a bowl surrounded by mountains in the Spanish Peaks Primitive Area. At 9,200 feet, this top-of-the-world hike takes you to alpine meadows covered with wildflowers, tall stands of…
From the guidebook "Day Hikes around Bozeman, Montana"
Big Sky , MT - Hiking - 4.5 miles   
Published by Day Hike Books

#19. The Grinnell Complex

  
Day hikes from Swiftcurrent Picnic Area to Grinnell Glacier, 5.5 miles (9 km); from Many Glacier Hotel to Grinnell Lake, 3.1 miles (5 km); or from Josephine Lake upper boat dock to Grinnell Lake, 0.9…
From the guidebook "Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks"
Babb , MT - Hiking - 9 miles   
Published by Falcon Publishing

#20. Hidden Lake

  
A half-day hike from Logan Pass to Hidden Lake Overlook, 1.5 (3.5 km); or from Logan Pass to Hidden Lake, 3.0 miles (5 km). The trail to Hidden Lake provides one of the quickest access routes to the h…
From the guidebook "Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks"
Saint Mary , MT - Hiking - 6 miles   
Published by Falcon Publishing

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