The Treasure State

Montana

Big sky, grizzly country, and wilderness so vast you can hike for days without seeing another person.

1Forest Guide

8Trail Guides

2.4MAcres Covered

12,799 ftHighest Peak

Montana at a Glance

Crown of the Continent

The Crown of the Continent ecosystem spans 18 million acres across Montana and into Canada, one of the most intact ecosystems in the temperate world

Grizzly Bears

Montana has the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48, with over 1,000 bears across two recovery zones

Bob Marshall Wilderness

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex covers 1.5 million acres, the third-largest wilderness in the contiguous US

Glacier Adjacency

Flathead National Forest borders Glacier National Park, offering similar scenery with a fraction of the crowds

Big Sky Country

Montana's nickname comes from its vast open landscapes, where 27 million acres of national forest stretch to the horizon

Fire Lookouts

Montana has more staffed fire lookout towers than any other state, with many available for overnight rental

When to Visit

July through mid-September for most high-country trails. Snow lingers on passes above 7,000 ft into July. September brings fewer crowds and golden larch season.

National Forests in Montana

Flathead National Forest

2,411,557 acresJuly through September

Complete guide to Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, grizzly bear country, and trip planning resources.

13 min read

Trails in Montana

moderateout-and-back

Danny On Memorial Trail

3.6 mi1,500 ft gain

MontanaJune through October

Guide to the Danny On Memorial Trail at Whitefish Mountain Resort in Flathead National Forest. A 3.6-mile summit hike with panoramic views of Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake.

8 min read

moderateout-and-back

Glacier View Mountain Trail

4 mi1,200 ft gain

MontanaJune through October

A moderate 4.0-mile out-and-back to Glacier View Mountain at 5,600 feet in Flathead National Forest, Montana, with views of Glacier National Park peaks and the North Fork Flathead River valley near Polebridge.

7 min read

moderateout-and-back

Great Northern Trail

6 mi2,000 ft gain

MontanaJune through October

Guide to the Great Northern Trail in Flathead National Forest. A 6-mile out-and-back hike along the old Great Northern Railway grade through dense forest and grizzly bear country.

8 min read

easyout-and-back

Holland Lake Falls Trail

3 mi400 ft gain

MontanaJune through October

Guide to the Holland Lake Falls Trail in Flathead National Forest, Montana. An easy 3.0-mile out-and-back to a beautiful waterfall at the head of Holland Lake, with views of the Swan Range and access for hikers of nearly all abilities.

7 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Hornet Lookout Trail

8.8 mi3,200 ft gain

MontanaJuly through September

Guide to the Hornet Lookout Trail in Flathead National Forest, Montana. A strenuous 8.8-mile out-and-back gaining 3,200 feet to a historic fire lookout tower at 7,510 feet, with sweeping views of the Swan Range and Mission Mountains.

8 min read

moderateout-and-back

Jewel Basin (Alpine Trail #7)

8 mi1,800 ft gain

MontanaJuly through September

Guide to Jewel Basin Hiking Area in Flathead National Forest. An 8-mile out-and-back hike through one of Montana's best alpine lake basins with 27 named lakes.

9 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

Stanton Lake Trail

3.6 mi400 ft gain

MontanaJune through October

Guide to the Stanton Lake Trail in Flathead National Forest. A family-friendly 3.6-mile hike through old-growth forest to a peaceful backcountry lake near Glacier National Park.

8 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Whitefish Lake Lookout Trail

7.4 mi2,600 ft gain

MontanaJuly through September

A strenuous 7.4-mile out-and-back to a historic CCC-era fire lookout at 6,200 feet in Flathead National Forest, Montana, with views of Whitefish Lake, the Whitefish Range, and distant peaks of Glacier National Park.

6 min read

Did You Know?

The Bob Marshall Wilderness is named after a forester and activist who could hike 30+ miles a day and co-founded the Wilderness Society.

Montana's Lolo National Forest contains the largest western larch trees in the world, turning brilliant gold each October.

Flathead Lake in Flathead National Forest is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

The Continental Divide Trail passes through 800 miles of Montana backcountry, its most remote and least-developed section.

Gallatin National Forest surrounds Yellowstone National Park on three sides, serving as critical wildlife corridors for bison, elk, and wolves.