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HIKING

The only problem with hiking in Bozeman is trying to figure out where to head to! Surrounded by many magnificent mountain ranges, you can take off in any direction and find excellent trails. A local favorite, the hike to the concrete M on Baldy Mountain is a must-do for any visitor. Created in 1915 by Montana State University students, the trail will take you through a beautiful juniper forest to the mouth of Bridger Canyon. Another popular hiking destination, Hyalite Drainage Recreational Area provides endless trails to lakes, streams, waterfalls, 10,000 foot peaks and cabins. Contact the Bozeman Ranger District (406) 587-6701 for maps, bear activity and snow level information.

hiking In Bozeman

• Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area

  The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area, covering 920,310 acres, is an administrated unit of the Gallatin National Forest, Custer National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness derives it's name from the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountain Ranges. The Absarokas are named after the Crow Indians (Absaroka being the Indian name for Crow). The Beartooth Mountains were named after the likeness between a jagged mountain peak in the range and a bear's tooth. To the...More

• Bangtail Trail (Grassy Mountain)

  Bangtail Trail (Grassy Mountain) offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months.Length: 10.0 miles.Trail Begins: Highway 86Trail Ends: Bangtail StationArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Grassy MountainTownship 1N; Range 7E; Section 8More

• Bear Canyon Trail

  Bear Canyon Trail is shared with snowmobiles. This trail is not groomed. It offers mountain biking opportunities in summer months.Length: 9.6 km more difficult trail.Trail Begins: BozemanTrail Ends: Bear Canyon AreaArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor MapMore

• Beehive Basin Ski Trail

  Beehive Basin Ski Trail is a moderate 5 km single-track loop near Big Sky. The trail begins with a few switchbacks, which are a bit steep. The route then flattens out for about 1 mile before turning steeply uphill. Near the end is a very steep hill. The view is spectacular. Near the end of the trail you will find a shallow lake surrounded by vertical cliffs. Avalanche hazard areas are common. Ski route goes into Lee Metcalf Wilderness. Please note bicycling is prohibited in Wilderness...More

• Big Sky Snowmobile Trail

  Some sections of Big Sky Snowmobile Trail are for experienced riders only. Portions of trail at lower elevations generally follow logging roads and are well marked. Upper portions are more difficult to follow; intermittently marked open country. Trail can be broken down into sections. Bear Creek to Squaw Creek is 24 km. Squaw Creek to Moose Creek is 24 km. Moose Creek to Porcupine Divide is 17.7 km. Porcupine Divide to Buffalo Horn 19.3 km. Buffalo Horn to Grayling Creek is 56.3...More

• Bozeman Creek Trail (Sourdough Canyon to Mystic Lake)

  Snowmobiles prohibited on the Bozeman Creek Trail (Sourdough Canyon to Mystic Lake). The trail offers mountain biking opportunities in summer months and cross-country skiing in the winter. This trail is groomed intermittently.Length: 10 km of more difficult trailTrail Begins: 5 miles South BozemanTrail Ends: Bozeman CreekArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor MapMore

• Brackett Creek/Fairy Lake Road Ski and Snowmobile Trails

  Brackett Creek/Fairy Lake Road Ski and Snowmobile Trails are shared with snowmobiles. Snowmobile trail is 15 miles of marked and groomed trails.Length: 24 km of more difficult trailArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor MapMore

• Confluence Trail

  Confluence Trail has interpretive signs along the trail.Length: .4 mileTrail Begins: CampgroundTrail Ends: Madison and Jefferson River confluence.USGS Map1: Three Forks QuadrangleUSGS Map2: Logan QuadrangleTownship 2N; Range 2E; Section 9More

• Doe/Buck Creek Snowmobile Trail

  Snowmobile trail is 16 miles of marked and groomed trails. Suitable for inexperienced snowmobilers. Highway 191 to Buck Creek Ridge on a snow covered road. Good sightseeing and snow play sites. Forest Service rental cabin on top of Yellow Mule Divide.Length: 8.0 miles.Trail Begins: End of Buck Creek Ridge Road 2599Trail Ends: McAtee BasinArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Ousel Falls USGS Map 2: Lee Metcalf Wilderness MapTownship 7S; Range R4 E; Section 31More

• Fort Rock Trail

  Length: 0.4 miles or a 1 mile loop trailTrail Begins: Interpretive Plaza - East end of Fort RockTrail Ends: West end of Fort RockUSGS Map1: Three Forks QuardangleUSGS Map2: Logan QuadrangleTownship 2N; Range 2E; Section 9More

• Gallatin National Forest

  The Gallatin National Forest encompasses 2,149,629 acres in south central Montana. The Forest is adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. This Forest contains portions of the Lee Metcalf and Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Areas. Big-game species found in the area include bear, elk, moose, big horn sheep, mule and whitetail deer and Rocky Mountain goat. Along the trails, naturalists and photographers can see a variety of songbirds, hawks, eagles and owls. In shaded groves, along quiet pools and...More

• History Rock Trail

  History Rock Trail offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months.Length: 4.0 miles.Trail Begins: 10 miles up Forest Service Road 62 (Hyalite Canyon Road)Trail Ends: Trail 422 (South Cottonwood Creek)Area Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Fridley PeakUSGS Map2: Mount BlackmoreTownship 4S; Range 6E; Section 9More

• Hyalite Loop Ski Trail

  Sections of Hyalite Loop Ski Trail are shared with snowmobiles. This trail is not groomed.Length: 24 km most difficult trail. Area Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Fridley PeakMore

• Jackson Creek Snowmobile Trail

  Length: 8.0 milesTrail Begins: 9 miles east of BozemanTrail Ends: LoopArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor MapMore

• Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area

  The Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area, covering 248,944 acres, is an administered unit of the Gallatin National Forest and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, located within or adjacent to those forests. In the northwest corner of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Complex, Bear Trap Canyon-the first BLM Wilderness in the nation-consists of 6000 acres of wild canyon country along the Madison River. Bear Trap offers 9 miles of possibly the most exciting and challenging whitewater in Montana, and this...More

• Moser Creek/Bozeman Creek Trail

  Moser Creek/Bozeman Creek Trail offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months and cross-country skiing in the winter. The trail travels from from Moser Creek to Leverich Canyon. This trail is not groomed.Length: 4.5 km of most difficult trailTrail Begins: 10 miles south BozemanTrail Ends: Moser Creek-Bozeman CreekArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor MapMore

• Moser Creek/Face Draw Loop Ski Trail

  Moser Creek/ Face Draw Loop Ski Trail is not groomed.Length: 5 km of most difficult trailArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor MapMore

• New World Gulch Trail

  New World Gulch Trail offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months. This trail is not groomed.Length: 16 km most difficult trail. Trail Begins: 6 miles south BozemanTrail Ends: New World GulchArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor MapMore

• North Cottonwood Trail

  North Cottonwood Trail offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months.Length: 4.5 miles. Trail Begins: Pass Creek County RoadTrail Ends: Trail 534 near Sacagewea PeakArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Flathead Pass USGS Map2: Sacagewea PeakTownship 2N; Range 5E; Section 23More

• Olson Creek Trails

  Olson Creek Trails offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months, and skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.Ski TrailLength: 3.0 milesTrail Begins: 13 miles north BozemanTrail Ends: Olson CreekSnowmobile TrailLength: 5.0 milesTrail Begins: 13 miles north, BozemanTrail Ends: LoopArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor MapMore

• Shafthouse Hill Trail

  Shafthouse Hill TrailLength: 5.0 milesTrail Begins: County Road (Carrol Creek)Trail Ends: Fairy LakeShafthouse Ski TrailLength: 2.4 milesTrail Begins: Shafthouse TrailTrail Ends: Fairy LakeArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Sacagewea PeakTownship 2N; Range 6E; Section 12More

• South Cottonwood Trail

  South Cottonwood Trail offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months.Length: 14.0 miles.Trail Begins: End of South Cottonwood County Road 22Trail Ends: Trail 423 (near Mount Blackmore)Area Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Frideley PeakUSGS Map2: Mount Blackmore USGS Map3: Wheeler MountainTownship 3S; Range 5E; Section 34More

• Spanish Creek Ski Trail

  From the Spanish Creek parking area there are many options for ski routes into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. This trail is not groomed. The Spanish Creek recreational/rental cabin available for extended trips. Trips further up the canyon to the high country are recommended for strong and experienced ski parties only. Avalanche hazard areas are common.Length: Varies depending on the condition of the Spanish Creek Road. 5.6 km from the end of graveled county road to Spanish Creek parking...More

• Stone Creek Trail

  Stone Creek Trail offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months.Stone Creek Trail Trail Begins: Road 480Trail Ends: Bangtail Guard StationStone Creek Ski TrailLength: 5.9 milesTrail Begins: 10 miles northeast of BozemanTrail Ends: Stone Creek LoopArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Grassy MountainTownship 1S; Range 7E; Section 12More

• Sypes Canyon Trail

  Sypes Canyon Trail offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months.Length: 3.0 milesTrail Begins: Sypes Canyon subdivision (off Springhill Road)Trail Ends: Trail 534Area Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Kelly CreekTownship 1S; Range 6E; Section 17More

• Truman Gulch Trail

  Truman Gulch Trail offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months.Length: 4.0 miles.Trail Begins: End of Truman Gulch RoadTrail Ends: Trail 534Area Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor Map USGS Map1: Saddle PeakTownship 1N; Range 6E; Section 21More

• Wildhorse/Lick Creek Trail

  Wildhorse/Lick Creek Trail is shared with snowmobiles. This trail is not groomed. It offers mountain bike opportunities in summer months.Length: 12.9 km of more difficult trailTrail Begins: Wildhorse\Lick CreekTrail Ends: LoopArea Map: Gallatin National Forest Visitor MapMore

hiking Outside Bozeman