7 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Montana To Help You Reflect On The Year Ahead
If you made any health and fitness-related New Year’s resolutions, you know that motivation can be difficult to maintain in the dead of winter. But nothing gets the blood flowing like a nice, invigorating hike, especially in beautiful Montana. And while not all of our trails are open this time of year, there are plenty of places you can go on a nature walk right now to clear your head — and if any of these delightful spots aren’t accessible, they’ll give you something to look forward to for spring. Here are the best hikes in Montana.
What better way to reflect on the year to come than by taking in these sweeping views of Missoula? The 1.2-mile M Trail involves a pretty steep climb to the top, but it's well worth the effort.
Waterfall hikes are amazing, but frozen waterfall hikes are even better. This 2.4-mile trail is fairly easy to navigate, but if it's too packed with snow, you may want to bring your snowshoes.
This easy out-and-back trail near Bigfork is about 2.5 miles long, the perfect length for novices and pro hikers alike. Plus, it follows a beautiful river.
The Four Dances Recreation Area boasts some of the best views of Billings, and this 2.6-mile trail really shows them off. It's open all year, but as you might expect, it's extremely cold at the top in most seasons.
Bozeman has its own version of the M Trail, and it's equally as delightful as Missoula's. In the spring, this 1.9-mile hike is known for its wildflowers, but there's never a bad time to explore it.
The waterfall is just one highlight of this picturesque 1.6-mile trail, an easy out-and-back trek near Gallatin Gateway. This hike stays pretty crowded all summer long, but in the winter, you just might have the trail to yourself.
Do you enjoy hikes with a side of history? This easily reachable trail clocks in at just under two miles in length, and it's always well-maintained. This abandoned railway was once an important part of our transportation system.
Don’t you just love a good Montana hike? If you’re just starting out, these trails are all under three miles in length.
Address: K Williams Natural Trail Area, Missoula, MT 59802, USA
Address: Grotto Falls, Montana 59047, USA
Address: Four Dances Trailhead, 1100 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, USA
Address: College 'M', Trail to 'M', Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
Address: Ousel Falls Park Trail, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, USA
Address: Deerlodge National Forest, Montana 59701, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Montana
April 03, 2022
Spencer Schneider
What are the most scenic hikes in Montana?
It can be difficult to decide what the most scenic hikes in Montana are. After all, Montana is blessed with some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are obvious choices, but there are also plenty of state parks and national forests that have some incredible scenic hikes. After carefully weighing our options, here are some of the most scenic hikes in Montana.
Highline Trail
Highline Trail can be found in Glacier National Park and gives you incredible views of the mountains and valleys of Glacier National Park throughout your entire hike. This hike is also an exciting one as you will walk across a small ledge cutting across a giant mountain ledge. While there is a support line for you to hold onto while crossing, it is quite exciting. This hike is also a hard one, coming in at almost 15 miles, it takes most people all day. However, if you are up for a challenging hike, you won’t be disappointed, as this hike will give you incredibly beautiful views of almost everything Glacier National Park has to offer! You will also have the chance to see some local wildlife if you are lucky. Big horned sheep are often found near the trail and if you have never seen one, they are a sight to behold.
Mount Aeneas
Mount Aeneas is the next scenic hike on our list. Found in Flathead National Forest, this hike will take you up to the top of Mount Aeneas on a trail you will likely be sharing with some mountain goats. The hike is just over 3 miles each way, but has quite a bit of elevation gain in those 3 miles, making the hike a difficult one. However, you will be rewarded with views of Flathead Lake from the peak, making the difficult trip well worth it.
Address: K Williams Natural Trail Area, Missoula, MT 59802, USA
Address: Grotto Falls, Montana 59047, USA
Address: Four Dances Trailhead, 1100 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, USA
Address: College 'M', Trail to 'M', Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
Address: Ousel Falls Park Trail, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, USA
Address: Deerlodge National Forest, Montana 59701, USA
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Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
