6 Picturesque Trails In Montana That Are Perfect For Winter Hiking

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to put your hiking boots away. While it’s true that some of our trails close for the winter, you can still find plenty of places to hit the trail. These hiking spots are always worth bundling up for, and they really do showcase the amazing beauty of Montana in the wintertime. Embark upon these incredible winter hikes in Montana and learn to appreciate our beautiful state even when the temperatures are frigid! 

Sourdough/Bozeman Creek Trailhead, Bozeman, MT 59771, USA

Kevin Skinner / alltrails.com

This old logging road that parallels Bozeman Creek is an easy out-and-back trail that can be as short or as long as you'd like it to be (the full distance would be about 16 miles). This awesome winter hike in Montana is one you won't regret.

Red Eagle Lake, Montana, USA

furupanda / TripAdvisor

Believe it or not, this is a beautiful hike to take in the winter, especially if snow is on the ground and you cover some ground on skis. This unbelievable scenic hiking trail in Montana only gets better in the winter.

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Lava Lake Trailhead, 501-901 Cascade Creek Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, USA

Travis Walter / alltrails.com

This trail offers a nice, five-mile hike that's breathtaking any time of year, but the frozen lake makes the experience seem surreal. We can't get enough of this scenic hiking trail in Montana in the summer. It's even better in the winter.

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Four Dances Trailhead, 1100 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, USA

KT McKenna / alltrails.com

The Four Dances Trail is under three miles long, meaning you won't freeze. It also happens to have the best views of Billings in town. Anyone who wants a nice, easy hike in Montana are sure to love this.

Waterworks Hill, Missoula, MT 59802, USA

Adam Winger / alltrails.com

Located just off Greenough Drive, Waterworks is an easy, scenic in-town hike that's perfect for taking in the winter sights. Having just undergone renovations in 2022, the Waterworks Hill Trail is modern, up-to-date, and sure to please.

Milwaukee Trail, Butte, MT 59701, USA

KT McKenna / alltrails.com

This year-round hiking trail near Butte is a manageable two-mile round-trip stretch, and it's gorgeous when it's covered in a soft coating of snow. It's easily one of the more interesting hikes in MT thanks to its urban exploration-esque perfection.

Montana is a nature lover’s paradise… but the winters are definitely cold. Here are some Montana hikes under 5 miles long that will help you get back inside by the fire before dark! Which winter hikes in MT would you add to this list of the “best of”? Let us know in the comments.

If you find that you cannot get enough of winter in Montana, never fear: we’ve got you covered! Embark upon a breathtaking winter horseback ride in Montana, and then plan a visit to some of the most amazing natural wonders in Montana after it snows to see them at their best.