Before most of our beautiful state becomes blanketed in snow, we’ve got a narrow but magnificent window of time for some nice autumn hiking. This is the time before both humans and wildlife tend to hibernate (or fly south) for the winter, so take advantage and spend the next few weekends exploring the great outdoors. These trails all offer stunning fall colors, and if you’re lucky, you might spot some local critters.
- Blodgett Canyon
Julie Von Eschen / alltrails.com
Jenny Kirschner / alltrails.com Located near Hamilton, Blodgett Canyon is a stunning — and fairly easy to navigate — hike. There are several canyon trails, but the most popular one is 8 miles in length (in and out) and leads to a tranquil waterfall. And in early October, the colors are especially amazing.
- Sluice Boxes Trail
David J Laporte / Flickr
Kimberly Marcell / alltrails.com Sluice Boxes State Park is an underrated treasure, nestled in the Belt Creek Canyon near Great Falls. And with vibrant orange and yellow foliage set against green pine trees, autumn is the perfect time to visit and hike the 2.8-mile trail.
- Grinnell Lake Trail
AllTrails feicht / alltrails.com
AllTrails feicht / alltrails.com The leaves are already starting to change at Glacier National Park and the Grinnell Lake Trail is the perfect place to enjoy them. Although it’s a 7-mile loop, the trail is easy to accomplish in a day, and if you’re lucky, you just might see a moose or some deer.
- Sioux Charley Lake Trail
Steele Steele / alltrails.com
Steele Steele / alltrails.com Located in Custer National Forest near the tiny town of Nye, the Sioux Charley Lake Trail is easy to follow and just the right amount of challenging. The 6-mile stretch is popular for birdwatching in the spring and summer, but this time of year, you’re more likely to see colorful leaves.
- Baker Lake Trail
Conor Gelderman / alltrails.com
Lindsey Nelson / alltrails.com Located near Darby, this short and sweet 2.5-mile hike is nice and vigorous. Keep an eye out for deer and elk as you head toward the picturesque lake (and wear your orange, as hunters use this trail as well).
Do you enjoy hiking in the fall? For a nice, easy nature walk, check out the Ousel Falls Trail near Big Sky.
Julie Von Eschen / alltrails.com
Jenny Kirschner / alltrails.com
Located near Hamilton, Blodgett Canyon is a stunning — and fairly easy to navigate — hike. There are several canyon trails, but the most popular one is 8 miles in length (in and out) and leads to a tranquil waterfall. And in early October, the colors are especially amazing.
David J Laporte / Flickr
Kimberly Marcell / alltrails.com
Sluice Boxes State Park is an underrated treasure, nestled in the Belt Creek Canyon near Great Falls. And with vibrant orange and yellow foliage set against green pine trees, autumn is the perfect time to visit and hike the 2.8-mile trail.
AllTrails feicht / alltrails.com
The leaves are already starting to change at Glacier National Park and the Grinnell Lake Trail is the perfect place to enjoy them. Although it’s a 7-mile loop, the trail is easy to accomplish in a day, and if you’re lucky, you just might see a moose or some deer.
Steele Steele / alltrails.com
Located in Custer National Forest near the tiny town of Nye, the Sioux Charley Lake Trail is easy to follow and just the right amount of challenging. The 6-mile stretch is popular for birdwatching in the spring and summer, but this time of year, you’re more likely to see colorful leaves.
Conor Gelderman / alltrails.com
Lindsey Nelson / alltrails.com
Located near Darby, this short and sweet 2.5-mile hike is nice and vigorous. Keep an eye out for deer and elk as you head toward the picturesque lake (and wear your orange, as hunters use this trail as well).
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