Montana’s railroad history dates back to the 1800s, which means you’ll find plenty of abandoned tunnels and tracks throughout the state. And if you find the Milwaukee Railroad Trail near Butte, you can take a walking history tour through a piece of our past. Come see why this fascinating, historic rail trail from days long past is now one of our picks for the best hikes in Montana!
This hike is only about two miles long, so most Montanans (including young ones) will be able to enjoy it.
KT McKenna / alltrails.com The trailhead sits just a few miles south of Butte.
The trail sits right on the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad lines.
KT McKenna / alltrails.com This section of railroad was one of the first in the United States to be electrified, and Thomas Edison himself once came out to Butte to ride the Milwaukee Railroad.
You’ll hike through two tunnels on the trail and pass a trestle that sits 130 feet above the valley floor.
KT McKenna / alltrails.com Talk about a perfect history tour.
If you’re interested in seeing firsthand how the old railway system worked, this is the perfect hike.
Chris England / alltrails.com You can even bring your dogs along.
The Milwaukee Railroad Trail is open all year long, although it’s not always easy to complete during the winter.
KT McKenna / alltrails.com This isn’t the only railroad hike in Montana, but it’s certainly one of the best.
For all the technical details, be sure to visit the official AllTrails listing.
KT McKenna / alltrails.com
The trailhead sits just a few miles south of Butte.
This section of railroad was one of the first in the United States to be electrified, and Thomas Edison himself once came out to Butte to ride the Milwaukee Railroad.
Talk about a perfect history tour.
Chris England / alltrails.com
You can even bring your dogs along.
KT McKenna / alltrails.com
This isn’t the only railroad hike in Montana, but it’s certainly one of the best.
Seasons change all the time, but it’s never too early (or too late) to plan a beautiful fall hike here in Montana! Which hikes in Montana would you say are the best hikes in Montana? Tell us your picks in the comments!
If you loved this awesome rail trail hike, you might also love the trails that lead to some fascinating ruins in Montana!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Montana March 31, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the most popular easy hikes in Montana? We get it: sometimes, you want to get out and enjoy nature in all its glory, but you also kind of don’t feel like putting in strenuous effort to do so. Well, no worries, because it just so happens that Montana is filled head-to-toe with excellent hikes that lead to amazing wonders that DON’T require overexerting oneself to reach. We have lots of favorite easy hikes in Montana, from the Redrock Falls Trail (3.5 miles long) and Running Eagle Falls Trail (0.6 miles long, short and sweet), both within Glacier National Park. If you ever find yourself within Flathead National Forest, on the other hand, be sure to do the Danny on Memorial Hiking Trail. It’s longer, at 8.6 miles in length, but it’s pretty easy going the entire way – and the views from the summit make it all worth it. Truly, some of the best hikes in Montana are easy ones! Nobody says you have to suffer just to enjoy the outdoors. What are the most amazing scenic hikes in Montana? Let’s be real here: “Montana” and “amazing hikes” go hand-in-hand. Few states in the US are as perfect for the avid outdoorsy type as Montana is, and we sure do take a lot of pride in the incredible, almost unreal beauty of our state. What better way to explore Montana than by hiking? Embark upon some of the most awe-inspiring hikes in Montana like the Black Canyon Lake Trail, within Custer National Forest. It’s long, at 14 miles in length, and it’s tough – but the reward at the end (spoiler: Black Canyon Lake) is very much worth it. Fans of that hike will also enjoy the Boulder Pass Trail within Glacier National Park; it’s 30 miles of the best scenery in the entire park, and if you’ve ever been there before, you’ll know that that’s saying a LOT. While you’re there (and if you have any energy left), be sure to also check out the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, which is a short-and-sweet three-mile trek in which you can experience the footnotes-version of the park’s awesomeness.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Montana
March 31, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the most popular easy hikes in Montana? We get it: sometimes, you want to get out and enjoy nature in all its glory, but you also kind of don’t feel like putting in strenuous effort to do so. Well, no worries, because it just so happens that Montana is filled head-to-toe with excellent hikes that lead to amazing wonders that DON’T require overexerting oneself to reach. We have lots of favorite easy hikes in Montana, from the Redrock Falls Trail (3.5 miles long) and Running Eagle Falls Trail (0.6 miles long, short and sweet), both within Glacier National Park. If you ever find yourself within Flathead National Forest, on the other hand, be sure to do the Danny on Memorial Hiking Trail. It’s longer, at 8.6 miles in length, but it’s pretty easy going the entire way – and the views from the summit make it all worth it. Truly, some of the best hikes in Montana are easy ones! Nobody says you have to suffer just to enjoy the outdoors. What are the most amazing scenic hikes in Montana? Let’s be real here: “Montana” and “amazing hikes” go hand-in-hand. Few states in the US are as perfect for the avid outdoorsy type as Montana is, and we sure do take a lot of pride in the incredible, almost unreal beauty of our state. What better way to explore Montana than by hiking? Embark upon some of the most awe-inspiring hikes in Montana like the Black Canyon Lake Trail, within Custer National Forest. It’s long, at 14 miles in length, and it’s tough – but the reward at the end (spoiler: Black Canyon Lake) is very much worth it. Fans of that hike will also enjoy the Boulder Pass Trail within Glacier National Park; it’s 30 miles of the best scenery in the entire park, and if you’ve ever been there before, you’ll know that that’s saying a LOT. While you’re there (and if you have any energy left), be sure to also check out the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, which is a short-and-sweet three-mile trek in which you can experience the footnotes-version of the park’s awesomeness.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
We get it: sometimes, you want to get out and enjoy nature in all its glory, but you also kind of don’t feel like putting in strenuous effort to do so. Well, no worries, because it just so happens that Montana is filled head-to-toe with excellent hikes that lead to amazing wonders that DON’T require overexerting oneself to reach. We have lots of favorite easy hikes in Montana, from the Redrock Falls Trail (3.5 miles long) and Running Eagle Falls Trail (0.6 miles long, short and sweet), both within Glacier National Park. If you ever find yourself within Flathead National Forest, on the other hand, be sure to do the Danny on Memorial Hiking Trail. It’s longer, at 8.6 miles in length, but it’s pretty easy going the entire way – and the views from the summit make it all worth it. Truly, some of the best hikes in Montana are easy ones! Nobody says you have to suffer just to enjoy the outdoors.
What are the most amazing scenic hikes in Montana?
Let’s be real here: “Montana” and “amazing hikes” go hand-in-hand. Few states in the US are as perfect for the avid outdoorsy type as Montana is, and we sure do take a lot of pride in the incredible, almost unreal beauty of our state. What better way to explore Montana than by hiking? Embark upon some of the most awe-inspiring hikes in Montana like the Black Canyon Lake Trail, within Custer National Forest. It’s long, at 14 miles in length, and it’s tough – but the reward at the end (spoiler: Black Canyon Lake) is very much worth it. Fans of that hike will also enjoy the Boulder Pass Trail within Glacier National Park; it’s 30 miles of the best scenery in the entire park, and if you’ve ever been there before, you’ll know that that’s saying a LOT. While you’re there (and if you have any energy left), be sure to also check out the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, which is a short-and-sweet three-mile trek in which you can experience the footnotes-version of the park’s awesomeness.
