Hit the Trail: Western Montana's Most Popular Hikes

If you've ever watched the sun drop behind a granite ridgeline and wondered what it would feel like to earn that view on foot, western Montana has your answer—and then some. Stretching from the Bitterroot Valley to the Madison Range, this part of the state holds some of the most rewarding trails in the American West. Whether you're a longtime local looking for a new route or someone considering a move to Big Sky Country, these seven hikes capture what makes this region genuinely hard to leave.

Ravalli County: Blodgett Canyon Overlook Trail Near Hamilton | 2.9 miles | Elevation Gain: 538 ft | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

Rated the top trail in Bitterroot National Forest on AllTrails with a 4.8-star rating from over 1,400 reviews, Blodgett Canyon Overlook is the Bitterroot Valley's signature short hike. The trail climbs a ridge northwest of Hamilton and opens to sweeping views of the canyon's sheer granite walls and glaciated valley below. With minimal elevation gain and well-placed benches along the route, it's accessible to most hikers while still delivering some of the most dramatic scenery in the valley. Wildflowers line the path from May through early summer. Best season: May–October.

Missoula County: Mount Sentinel "M" Trail Missoula | 1.8 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 620 ft | Difficulty: Moderate

Few trails are more synonymous with a Montana city than the "M" on Mount Sentinel, which has marked Missoula's skyline since 1908 when University of Montana forestry students hauled stones up the hillside. The trail zigzags up 11 switchbacks above the university campus, gaining 620 feet in under a mile. At the top, the panoramic view of the Missoula Valley, Clark Fork River, and surrounding mountains is unmatched in the area. It's busy on purpose—this is a community trail in the truest sense. Best season: Year-round, though icy in winter.

Lake/Flathead County: Mount Aeneas Loop, Jewel Basin Near Bigfork/Kalispell | 6 miles | Elevation Gain: ~1,700 ft | Difficulty: Moderate

Jewel Basin is a hiker-only area cradling 27 alpine lakes in the Swan Mountain Range, about 23 miles east of Kalispell. The Mount Aeneas Loop is the area's crown jewel, topping out at 7,528 feet with 360-degree views of Flathead Lake, Glacier National Park, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The Camp Misery Trailhead is the main access point—high-clearance vehicles are recommended for the forest service road. Watch for mountain goats near the summit. Expect company on summer weekends; this trail earns its crowds. Best season: July–September.

Gallatin/Park County: Beehive Basin Trail Near Big Sky | 7.2 miles | Elevation Gain: 1,725 ft | Difficulty: Moderate

Backpacker magazine named Beehive Basin one of the best day hikes in America, and the trail earns that distinction at every turn. Starting near the Big Sky Resort base area within Custer Gallatin National Forest, the route climbs through dense forest before opening into a glacially carved alpine basin ringed by jagged peaks, wildflower meadows, and shimmering lakes. 

Silver Bow County: Milwaukee Road Trail, Thompson Park Near Butte | 4.5 miles one way | Elevation Gain: ~1,000 ft | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

Thompson Park, just nine miles south of Butte, offers 25 miles of non-motorized trails, and the historic Milwaukee Railroad trail is its most beloved. The gently sloping route passes through two tunnels and over a 600-foot steel trestle on its way toward Pipestone Pass and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. It's a rare trail that combines genuine history with mountain scenery—and it's close enough to Butte for an easy evening outing. Best season: May–October.

Lewis & Clark County: Mount Helena / 1906 Trail Helena | 3.1 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: ~1,100 ft | Difficulty: Moderate

Helena's trail network stretches more than 75 miles through the South Hills, and the Mount Helena City Park trailhead is where most hikers begin. The popular 1906 Trail winds through ponderosa pine forest to the summit, where views of the Helena Valley unfold in every direction. Dogs are welcome under voice control. The network is open year-round and draws hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers alike. May and June bring brilliant wildflowers—bitterroot, lupine, and yellow balsamroot among them. Best season: May–October; accessible year-round.

Madison County: Bear Trap Canyon Trail Near Norris | Up to 7 miles round trip | Elevation Gain: 500 ft | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

Cut by the Madison River through 6,000 acres of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Bear Trap Canyon is Madison County's most iconic trail. The path follows the river through towering canyon walls and boulder-strewn terrain, with plentiful wildlife—mule deer, eagles, and great blue herons are common sightings. The popular turnaround point at Bear Trap Creek makes for a manageable 7-mile out-and-back. The Madison is one of Montana's premier blue-ribbon trout streams, making this a favorite for hikers and fly fishers alike. Note: rattlesnakes and poison ivy are present—long pants are recommended in warmer months. Best season: October–April for rattlesnake avoidance; hikeable year-round.

A Few Tips Before You Go

Western Montana's trails are at their best from late June through September when snow has cleared at elevation, but many are accessible year-round at lower elevations. Always carry bear spray—this is grizzly and black bear country. Download trail maps before heading out, as cell service is limited or nonexistent on most of these routes. And if you're new to the area, stopping into a local gear shop or ranger station for current conditions is never a bad idea. The mountains here reward the prepared.