Hiking in Western Montana + Glacier National Park

Hiking

Trek Montana’s Trails

Trek Montana’s Trails

Note: Conservation Licenses are required for everyone age 12 and older to access most state lands, including wildlife management areas, fishing access sites and wildlife habitat protection areas. This requirement does not include state parks. Please recreate responsibly.

Hiking in Montana—it comes with the territory. You can quickly and easily access a footpath from pretty much anywhere. If you're looking for a short hike in the wildflowers of our foothills near one of our small towns, a day-hike in the mountains, or a rugged multiday trek into our endless backcountry terrain, our trail system is vast and diverse. Glacier National Park alone has more than 730 miles of trails.

Trail Safety

  • Plan for all kinds of weather.
  • Dress in layers and broken-in hiking boots.
  • For more rugged hikes, bring the proper hiking gear.
  • Bring plenty of water.
  • Always stay on the trail.
  • If you're hiking alone, let someone know where you're going to be.
  • Respect wildlife. Do not harass or feed them.
  • Carry bear spray—you're hiking in bear country; for more safety guidelines, visit glaciermt.com/wildlife-and-bear-safety.
  • Many of these trails are great in the winter on snowshoes but may require four-wheel drive to gain access.

Here you'll discover where to hike in Western Montana, as well as some of our most traveled and least traveled hiking trails, nature trails and walking trails.

Bitterroot Valley

Blackfoot Corridor

Clark Fork Corridor

East Glacier Corridor

Flathead Corridor/Kalispell

Glacier National Park

GNP Surrounding Area

I-90 Corridor

Missoula

Northwest Corridor

Seeley Swan Corridor

BITTERROOT VALLEY

Baker Lake Trail

Providing quick access to Baker Lake as well access to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, this trail is moderately difficult and a little steep. It's great for hiking, snowshoeing and birding.

Length: 2.6 miles out and back
Getting There: From Darby, continue 4 miles south to West Fork Road 473. Continue 7 miles to Baker Lake Road 363. At the fork in the road, take Road 5634 to the end.

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Blodgett Canyon

The Blodget Creek Trail #19 follows Blodgett Creek into a canyon with spectacular views of cliffs and spires. It's wide, rocky and deep, making it one of the most dramatic sights in the valley, and there's a waterfall 4.5 miles in. While this trail is beautiful any time of year.

Length: 12.6 miles one way
Getting There: From Hamilton, take Main Street west into the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains, following signs to the Blodgett Trailhead and overlook.

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Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #9

This easy trail runs along the southeast boundary between the Bitterroot and Beaverhead national forests. Starting at Chief Joseph Pass and ending at Beaverhead-Deerlodge Trail #374, the path offers stunning views of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness and the scenic Big Hole Valley. Keep an eye out for deer, elk, and other large wildlife along the way. For those interested in day-hiking sections of the 25-mile Montana section of the CDT, visit the National Park Service Hiking the Trails page. For those interested in backpacking on the CDT within Glacier National Park, you'll need a backcountry permit for overnight camping. For more information on permits and reservations, check out the National Park Service Backcountry Camping page.

Length: 25 miles one way
Getting There: For directions, please call the Sula Ranger District at 406.821.3201.

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Kootenai Creek Trail #53

Follow Kootenai Creek through a beautiful canyon on this well-maintained trail ideal for moderate hikers, with high stock and foot use.

Length: 10.6 miles one way
Getting There: From the Stevensville junction on U.S. Highway 93, travel north 1 mile. Turn west on Kootenai Creek Road and continue 2 miles to the trailhead.

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Lake Como National Recreational Loop Trail #502 + #580

This beautiful loop trail wraps around Lake Como, offering spectacular views of the Como Peaks, osprey and wildflowers. The first 1/4 mile is paved and has interpretive signs relating to trail flora and the role of wildfire in the area. Just past the junction of Trail #580 there is a gorgeous waterfall.

Length: 7.1-mile loop
Getting There: From Darby, take U.S. Highway 93 north for 4 miles. Take a left on Road 82 and follow the signs to Lake Como.

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Rock Creek Trail #580

This low-difficulty trail provides beautiful views of the mountains and is ideal for wildlife watching.

Length: 11.6 miles one way
Getting There: Follow U.S. Highway 93 south from Hamilton for about 12 miles. Turn south on Lake Como Road 550 and follow it west. The trailhead is located by the stock loading ramp.

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Saint Mary Peak Trail #116

This moderately difficult trail is very popular for birding and hiking. Reach the summit for spectacular views as well as a lookout tower.

Length: 7 miles out and back
Getting There: From the Stevensville junction, travel 3.5 miles south on U.S. Highway 93. Turn west on Indian Prairie Loop. Continue west to St. Mary Road. From there continue 1 mile to the junction of McCalla Ridge Road and St. Mary Peak Road. Travel 14 miles to the trailhead.

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Trapper Creek Trail #192.2

This trail is moderately challenging and stretches across the Bitterroot National Forest through old-growth forestland and the Big Hollow Fire burned area.

Length: 9.4 miles out and back
Getting There: From Hamilton, take Highway 93 south for 21 miles to West Fork Road. Turn right and continue 6 miles to the Trapper-Chaffin Road. Turn right and drive a half mile to Little Trapper junction. Keep left and continue nearly 3 miles to the trailhead.

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Featured Listings

Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge
150 Flathead Lodge Road
Bigfork, MT 59911
406.837.4391
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Bar W Guest Ranch
2875 U.S. Highway 93 W.
Whitefish, MT 59937
406.863.9099
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Bitterroot Backpacking

Missoula, MT 59801
732.272.6878
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Dropstone Outfitting
4365 U.S. Highway 89
Choteau, MT 59422
406-289-0863
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Glacier Adventure Guides
24 Seventh St. W.
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
406.892.2173
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Glacier Guides and Montana Raft
11970 U.S. Highway 2
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.387.5555 | 800.521.7238
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Glacier Hikes & Bikes LLC

Whitefish, MT 59937
406.871.2448
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Glacier National Park
64 Grinnell Drive
West Glacier, MT 59936
406-888-7800
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Glacier Park Boat Company
Lake McDonald, St. Mary, Two Medicine, Many Glacier
Glacier National Park, MT 59936
406.257.2426 | 888.611.0747
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Iron Shield Creative
PO Box 2241
Browning, MT 59417
406-209-9891
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Paws Up Montana
40060 Paws Up Road
Greenough, MT 59823
877.580.6343
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Snowbowl Ski & Summer Resort
1700 Snowbowl Road
Missoula, MT 59808
406.549.9777
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Swan Mountain Outfitters
12000 U.S. Highway 2 E.
West Glacier, MT 59936
406.387.4405 | 877.888.5557
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The Glacier Institute
Glacier National Park Field Camp
Glacier National Park, MT 59903
406.755.1211
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The Ranch at Rock Creek
79 Carriage House Lane
Philipsburg, MT 59858
406.859.6027
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Travelers' Rest Connection
6717 U.S. Highway 12 W.
Lolo, MT 59847
406.273.4253
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Triple Creek Ranch
5551 West Fork Road
Darby, MT 59829
406-821-4600 | 800-654-2943
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University of Montana
32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 59812
406.243.0211 | 800.462.8636
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Whitefish Mountain Resort
1015 Glades Drive
Whitefish, MT 59937
877.SKI.FISH
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Backpacker's Ferry
Alt. Phone: 406.890.5847
East Glacier Park, MT 59434
406.845.3905
Big Sky Backpacking

Lolo, MT 59917
303.895.6732
Bitterroot Alpine Guides

Hamilton, MT 59840
406.369.5918
Foys to Blacktrail Trails
PO Box 81
Kalispell, MT 59901
406.309.1664
Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness
323 N. First Ave., Suite 205
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208.946.9127
Gateway to Glacier Trails
PO Box 2382
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
406.285.1503
Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance
PO Box 181
East Glacier Park, MT 59434
406.531.5098
OnX
1925 Brooks St.
Missoula, MT 59801
406.540.1602
Overdale Lodge
1076 Overdale Lodge Road
Troy, MT 59935
406.295.7246
RightOnTrek
Online store
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
406.309.3479
Silver Bow Outfitters
500 E. Fisher Road
Libby, MT 59923
406.293.4868
Snow Bear Chalets
3872 Winter Lane
Whitefish, MT 59937
888.868.2327
Teller Wildlife Refuge
1288 Eastside Highway
Corvallis, MT 59828
406.961.3507
Travel Montana
PO Box 16
Red Lodge, MT 59068
888.758.8687
Whitefish Legacy Partners
515 Railway St., Suite 206
Whitefish, MT 59937
406.862.3880
Whitefish Outfitters & Tours
541 Spokane Ave.
Whitefish, MT 59937
406.212.0080