Hikes in Montana

Big Sky Country is great trail country. If you like hiking and you’re in Montana, you’re in luck! Montana’s sylvan wilderness and epic mountain landscapes are overwhelmingly alluring. Glacier National Park is the state’s main outdoor attraction, defined by jagged peaks, majestic glaciers, turquoise lakes, and pine forests. The park preserves the northernmost section of the Continental Divide in the United States of America, and is one of the most scenic places to hike in the country. A sliver of Yellowstone National Park also resides in Montana, adding to the state’s outdoor offerings.

Glacier Overlook hike Montana
Glacier Overlook off Highline Trail in Glacier National Park

Montana Hiking

This collection of trails in Montana lists hikes roughly from north to south. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike in Montana. A search feature can be used to quickly isolate the hike you are looking for. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. An interactive map showing the location of each hike is also provided.

TrailDescriptionDistance Location
Grinnell Lake100Grinnell Lake Trail in Glacier National Park
This long but level partial loop passes a triplet of beautiful turquoise glacier-fed lakes in the Many Glacier region of the park.
7.5 miles
100 - 300 feet
48.79536,
-113.65726
Highline Trail300Highline Trail in Glacier National Park
This stunning trail along the Continental Divide offers many hiking options, like an amazing 13.5-mile through-hike that takes in the exceptional view from Glacier Overlook
7 - 15.2 miles
400+ feet
48.696343,
-113.7176
Glacier Overlook330Garden Wall Trail to Glacier Overlook in Glacier National Park
This extension off Highline Trail climbs the Continental Divide to extraordinary views over Grinnell Glacier and a trio of subalpine lakes.
2 miles
1,000 feet
48.76264,
-113.743372
Johns Lake400Johns Lake Loop in Glacier National Park
This loop visits a small lake in a mossy fores and then follows McDonald Creek past McDonald Falls to return to the trailhead.
2 miles
225 feet
48.63334,
-113.862285
Saint Mary Falls700Saint Mary Falls and Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park
This out and back hike visits two waterfalls in the forest above Saint Mary Lake on the east side of Glacier National Park.
3 miles
250 feet
48.674307,
-113.60872
Pebble Creek900Pebble Creek Trail in Yellowstone National Park
This 12-mile long trail travels down a beautiful backcountry meadow between Montana and Wyoming, bringing through hikers to a second trailhead (shorter out and back hikes are also possible without a car shuttle).
5 - 12 miles
+950 feet
-1375 feet
45.005477,
-110.034372
Boiling River950Boiling River in Yellowstone National Park
This out and back hike follows a riverbank to an only-in-Yellowstone hot springs where a stream of water cooked by nearby hydrothermal features mixes with the river.
1.25 miles
50 feet
44.9923,
-110.69121
View Montana trails and campgrounds in a larger map
Or explore hikes around Glacier National Park on the Hike Finder Map
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Pebble Creek Trail Yellowstone National Park hike backpacking
Starting just inside Yellowstone's northeast entrance near Cooke City, Montana, there is an interstate trail traveling through a beautiful backcountry meadow boxed in by 10,000-foot peaks. Pebble Creek Trail is often ventured as a top-to-bottom 12-mile long through hike ending at Pebble Creek Campground. There are five trail camps along Pebble Creek Trail for backpackers. Even if you can't... Read more.
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Tagged with · Backpacking · Cooke City · Creeks · National Parks · Trail Camp · Walk-in Camping
Distance: 12 miles · Elevation change: 950 feet
By: Published: Last updated: April 25, 2017
Boiling River Trail Yellowstone National Park hike Gardner River Mammoth Hot Springs Wyoming hydrothermal swimming hike
While Boiling River Trail is about as easy and straightforward as they come, the destination is completely unconventionally. The 1.25-mile round trip hike ends at one of America's strangest swimming holes where a stream of water cooked by Yellowstone's hydrothermal features mixes with cold river water. Wear your bathing suit and take a dip in this remarkable hot springs! Boiling River... Read more.
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Tagged with · Hot Springs · Hydrothermal · National Parks
Distance: 1.25 miles · Elevation change: 50 feet
By: Published: Last updated: January 23, 2018
Garden Wall Trail Grinnell Glacier Overlook Highline Trail hike Glacier National Park Montana Granite Park Chalet Continental Divide
Picture yourself standing on the Continental Divide overlooking a crackling glacier that feeds a string of sparkling turquoise lakes. That is only part of the panorama you'll enjoy from Glacier Overlook, a no-nonsense notch on a section of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park named the Garden Wall. Approached from the west, Glacier Overlook offers a window looking east over a... Read more.
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Tagged with · Continental Divide · National Parks
Distance: 2 miles · Elevation change: 1000 feet
By: Published: Last updated: January 9, 2018
Highline Trail Glacier National Park Montana hike Logan Pass Garden Wall the loop
Rarely does a trail deliver as many breathtaking views as Highline Trail in Glacier National Park. This is one of the most incredible day hikes in Glacier (and therefore anywhere on the planet). Highline Trail begins on the Continental Divide, delivering lofty views right from the start. Things are pretty level for the first three miles, making it easy for less ambitious hikers to still... Read more.
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Tagged with · Continental Divide · Going-to-the-Sun Road · National Parks
Distance: 13.5 miles · Elevation change: 3400 feet
By: Published: Last updated: January 10, 2018
Grinnell Lake Trail Many Glacier Hotel Lake Josephine Swiftcurrent Lake hike Glacier National Park Montana
Grinnell Lake Trail offers a level hike along a string of glacier-fed lakes. The trail departs from Many Glacier Hotel on the northeast side of Glacier National Park. There are trails along opposite sides of two beautiful subalpine lakes preceding Grinnell Lake, as well as a short spur to a waterfall, that give hikers a few options. Also, a ferry service that transports guests from Many... Read more.
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Tagged with · Lakes · National Parks · Waterfalls
Distance: 7.5 miles · Elevation change: 300 feet
By: Published: Last updated: April 27, 2017