Spring has officially sprung in Montana! While that usually means business as usual for this snowy state, we’re already starting to see some sunshine in most regions – and if you’ve been gearing up for hiking season, you’ll be happy to know some of the Treasure State’s trails are waiting for you. These hikes are all located close to civilization, so residual snow should be minimal! Enjoy our picks of some of the best hikes in Montana you can literally go out and do right now:

  1. Four Dances Trail (Billings)

Melissa Bonser / alltrails.com The Four Dances Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Billings, but the trail never seems to be too crowded. This 2.6-mile loop is a fantastic first hike of the season. It’s also one of the best winter hikes in Montana, too. Four Dances Trailhead, 1100 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, USA

  1. Swift Creek Loop (Whitefish)

Kristin Zitterkopf / alltrails.com Although some of them are best hiked in the summer (or used for showshoeing in winter), the Whitefish area has an abundance of hiking trails. We love the Swift Creek Loop, an easy 1.4-mile nature walk in Whitefish Lake State Park. This is one epic hiking trail in Montana you cannot afford to pass up. Whitefish, MT 59937, USA

  1. The M Trail (Missoula)

Isaac Ingram / alltrails.com Missoula’s M Trail is legendary. Although it’s only about 1.5 miles long, the trek to the top is pretty brutal – however, even if you’re a bit out of shape from winter, you’ll be able to do it. Besides, the views of the city are worth the climb. This short and sweet hike in Montana is one you’ll want to do again and again. Missoula, MT, USA

  1. Sypes Creek (Bozeman)

Andrew Hale / alltrails.com The Bozeman area is also a gold mine for hikers - you’ll find dozens of trails that are a 30-minute drive, or less, from the city. The 1.6-mile Sypes Creek Trail is no exception. This is a short but scenic trail that leads to the longer and more challenging Sypes Canyon Trail. If you find yourself on the lookout for wildflowers in Montana, this is the trek for you. Sypes Creek Court, Sypes Creek Ct, Montana 59715, USA

  1. Two Moon Park (Billings)

Tessa Howell / alltrails.com Need a nice, easy nature walk without leaving the city? Just head to Billings’ Two Moon Park and take this perfectly pleasant 2-mile riverside trail. Oh, and this might or might not be one of those haunted trails in Montana you risk seeing a ghost on. Two Moon Park Road, Two Moon Park Rd, Billings, MT 59105, USA

  1. 1906 Trail (Helena)

Tracey Elizabeth / alltrails.com Have you ever hiked The 1906? This 2.9-mile trail tends to be a bit muddy in the spring, but it’s worth powering through to reach the top and take in the views of the city. This trail is ranked as moderate, so it may be challenging if you’re a beginner. This is an easy hike in Montana definitely worth adding to your bucket list. 1906 Trail, Helena, MT 59601, USA

  1. Drinking Horse Mountain Trail (Bozeman)

Alison Fitzpatrick / alltrails.com Those who hike Bozeman’s Drinking Horse Mountain tend to fall in love with it. This 2.1-mile trail is pretty steep in parts, but in the late spring and early summer, it’s sprinkled with beautiful wildflowers. This is one of our favorite scenic hikes in Montana. Drinking Horse Mountain Trailhead, Drinking Horse Hill Trail, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA

Hiking in Montana is an experience like no other. Lace-up your sneakers or hiking boots and hit your favorite trail as soon as you can. Which hikes in Montana would you say are the best hikes in Montana? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. Find yourself needing more? These scenic hikes in Montana are worth adding to your to-do list this season.

Melissa Bonser / alltrails.com

The Four Dances Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Billings, but the trail never seems to be too crowded. This 2.6-mile loop is a fantastic first hike of the season. It’s also one of the best winter hikes in Montana, too.

Four Dances Trailhead, 1100 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, USA

Kristin Zitterkopf / alltrails.com

Although some of them are best hiked in the summer (or used for showshoeing in winter), the Whitefish area has an abundance of hiking trails. We love the Swift Creek Loop, an easy 1.4-mile nature walk in Whitefish Lake State Park. This is one epic hiking trail in Montana you cannot afford to pass up.

Whitefish, MT 59937, USA

Isaac Ingram / alltrails.com

Missoula’s M Trail is legendary. Although it’s only about 1.5 miles long, the trek to the top is pretty brutal – however, even if you’re a bit out of shape from winter, you’ll be able to do it. Besides, the views of the city are worth the climb. This short and sweet hike in Montana is one you’ll want to do again and again.

Missoula, MT, USA

Andrew Hale / alltrails.com

The Bozeman area is also a gold mine for hikers - you’ll find dozens of trails that are a 30-minute drive, or less, from the city. The 1.6-mile Sypes Creek Trail is no exception. This is a short but scenic trail that leads to the longer and more challenging Sypes Canyon Trail. If you find yourself on the lookout for wildflowers in Montana, this is the trek for you.

Sypes Creek Court, Sypes Creek Ct, Montana 59715, USA

Tessa Howell / alltrails.com

Need a nice, easy nature walk without leaving the city? Just head to Billings’ Two Moon Park and take this perfectly pleasant 2-mile riverside trail. Oh, and this might or might not be one of those haunted trails in Montana you risk seeing a ghost on.

Two Moon Park Road, Two Moon Park Rd, Billings, MT 59105, USA

Tracey Elizabeth / alltrails.com

Have you ever hiked The 1906? This 2.9-mile trail tends to be a bit muddy in the spring, but it’s worth powering through to reach the top and take in the views of the city. This trail is ranked as moderate, so it may be challenging if you’re a beginner. This is an easy hike in Montana definitely worth adding to your bucket list.

1906 Trail, Helena, MT 59601, USA

Alison Fitzpatrick / alltrails.com

Those who hike Bozeman’s Drinking Horse Mountain tend to fall in love with it. This 2.1-mile trail is pretty steep in parts, but in the late spring and early summer, it’s sprinkled with beautiful wildflowers. This is one of our favorite scenic hikes in Montana.

Drinking Horse Mountain Trailhead, Drinking Horse Hill Trail, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Montana March 31, 2022 Tori Jane What are some wonderful kid-friendly hikes around Montana?  Montana is where it’s at if you’re an avid outdoorsy person who enjoys a good, long hike, but it’s also great for hikers whose families may skew a little on the younger side, too! In fact, there are plenty of epic and awesome hikes in Montana that we’d consider to be kid-friendly; don’t worry, though – they don’t skimp on the awesomeness just because they’re easier and shorter than most. The scenery is just as amazing! Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Montana include awe-inspiring gems like Palisade Falls, an easy, scenic one-mile hike that features one of the state’s most incredible waterfalls. If the kids like that one (or you’re just a fan of waterfalls), be sure to also do the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail, at Glacier National Park. That one is just under three miles long, easy, and features multiple waterfalls (though the two in the trail’s name are by far the most impressive). If the kids are interested in history, take them on the Pictograph Cave State Park hike, which is under one-mile round-trip and super educational. Finally, the Kootenai Falls Trail is another you should add to your hiking bucket list. That one is just under one mile long and features yet another awe-inspiring waterfall. One thing’s for sure: these kid-friendly hikes in Montana are sure to please the entire brood.  What are some of the best, most scenic hikes in Montana?  Now, we might just make the case that every hike in Montana is a scenic one. After all, it doesn’t really get a whole lot more amazing than places like Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and our countless mountain ranges, waterfalls, and more. If you’re into hiking, there are a few trails in Montana you cannot miss, like the awesome Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park. It’s 5.9 miles long, features a beyond-pristine lake, and is, for reasons that will be obvious when you hike it yourself, one of the most popular hikes in the entire state. Then, head up to Flathead National Forest and do the Danny on Memorial Hiking Trail, which is longer, at 8.6 miles in length, and features breathtaking views at the summit. Finally, should you find yourself within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, you’ll want to embark upon the world-famous Glacier Lake trail, which is home to some absolutely surreal beauty and amazing views.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Montana

March 31, 2022

Tori Jane

What are some wonderful kid-friendly hikes around Montana?  Montana is where it’s at if you’re an avid outdoorsy person who enjoys a good, long hike, but it’s also great for hikers whose families may skew a little on the younger side, too! In fact, there are plenty of epic and awesome hikes in Montana that we’d consider to be kid-friendly; don’t worry, though – they don’t skimp on the awesomeness just because they’re easier and shorter than most. The scenery is just as amazing! Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Montana include awe-inspiring gems like Palisade Falls, an easy, scenic one-mile hike that features one of the state’s most incredible waterfalls. If the kids like that one (or you’re just a fan of waterfalls), be sure to also do the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail, at Glacier National Park. That one is just under three miles long, easy, and features multiple waterfalls (though the two in the trail’s name are by far the most impressive). If the kids are interested in history, take them on the Pictograph Cave State Park hike, which is under one-mile round-trip and super educational. Finally, the Kootenai Falls Trail is another you should add to your hiking bucket list. That one is just under one mile long and features yet another awe-inspiring waterfall. One thing’s for sure: these kid-friendly hikes in Montana are sure to please the entire brood.  What are some of the best, most scenic hikes in Montana?  Now, we might just make the case that every hike in Montana is a scenic one. After all, it doesn’t really get a whole lot more amazing than places like Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and our countless mountain ranges, waterfalls, and more. If you’re into hiking, there are a few trails in Montana you cannot miss, like the awesome Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park. It’s 5.9 miles long, features a beyond-pristine lake, and is, for reasons that will be obvious when you hike it yourself, one of the most popular hikes in the entire state. Then, head up to Flathead National Forest and do the Danny on Memorial Hiking Trail, which is longer, at 8.6 miles in length, and features breathtaking views at the summit. Finally, should you find yourself within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, you’ll want to embark upon the world-famous Glacier Lake trail, which is home to some absolutely surreal beauty and amazing views.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Montana is where it’s at if you’re an avid outdoorsy person who enjoys a good, long hike, but it’s also great for hikers whose families may skew a little on the younger side, too! In fact, there are plenty of epic and awesome hikes in Montana that we’d consider to be kid-friendly; don’t worry, though – they don’t skimp on the awesomeness just because they’re easier and shorter than most. The scenery is just as amazing! Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around Montana include awe-inspiring gems like Palisade Falls, an easy, scenic one-mile hike that features one of the state’s most incredible waterfalls. If the kids like that one (or you’re just a fan of waterfalls), be sure to also do the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail, at Glacier National Park. That one is just under three miles long, easy, and features multiple waterfalls (though the two in the trail’s name are by far the most impressive). If the kids are interested in history, take them on the Pictograph Cave State Park hike, which is under one-mile round-trip and super educational. Finally, the Kootenai Falls Trail is another you should add to your hiking bucket list. That one is just under one mile long and features yet another awe-inspiring waterfall. One thing’s for sure: these kid-friendly hikes in Montana are sure to please the entire brood. 

What are some of the best, most scenic hikes in Montana? 

Now, we might just make the case that every hike in Montana is a scenic one. After all, it doesn’t really get a whole lot more amazing than places like Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and our countless mountain ranges, waterfalls, and more. If you’re into hiking, there are a few trails in Montana you cannot miss, like the awesome Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park. It’s 5.9 miles long, features a beyond-pristine lake, and is, for reasons that will be obvious when you hike it yourself, one of the most popular hikes in the entire state. Then, head up to Flathead National Forest and do the Danny on Memorial Hiking Trail, which is longer, at 8.6 miles in length, and features breathtaking views at the summit. Finally, should you find yourself within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, you’ll want to embark upon the world-famous Glacier Lake trail, which is home to some absolutely surreal beauty and amazing views.