Updated 06.16.2020: While hiking in Montana, you’ll see wildlife and admire jaw-dropping scenery on trails for every ability level. From Glacier National Park to the Bitterroot Mountains and beyond, you’ll find trails for reconnecting with nature, which is oh-so-healthy for everyone, including boomer travelers.
Some of the links on this page are referral links. Read our Disclosure.
On this page, you’ll discover favorite Montana hiking trails based upon our personal experience from living in Montana. Check back often as we add to the list. Or subscribe to the My Itchy Travel Feet Weekly Broadcast to be the first to know!
Our favorite Montana hiking trails
Most of the hikes included in this Montana trail guide are easy to moderate day hikes. Before starting out, gear up with these day hiking essentials. When it comes to hiking books, you can’t go wrong with Falcon Guides.
Glacier National Park Hikes
From easy to difficult, Glacier National Park offers some of the most scenic hikes that we’ve experienced. On the higher elevation trails, it’s like being in the Swiss Alps! You’re almost guaranteed to see wildlife. Don’t forget to bring your bear spray! Discover our favorite Glacier National Park Hikes.
Hiking the Danny On Trail
The Danny On Trail meanders up Big Mountain in Whitefish, Montana, offering views of the Flathead Valley and beyond. It’s a good introductory hike for acclimating before tackling the trails in nearby Glacier National Park. Click on Hiking the Danny On Trail to read more about our experience.
Tips for Hiking Kootenai Creek Trail
Put this cool summer hike on your list if you’re visiting the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. Popular with locals and visitors, the trail travels beside Kootenai Creek before climbing into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
Read my Tips for Hiking Kootenai Creek Trail.
Hiking Montana’s Mystic Lake Trail
The 14-mile drive down a dirt road is worth it when you’re on the way to hike Mystic Lake Trail near Fishtail, Montana. This popular trail in the Absaroka mountains ends up at a beautiful lake. Need more information? Click on Tips for Hiking Montana’s Mystic Lake Trail.
Elk Lake Hike
The hike to Elk Lake is another popular trail in the Absarokas, on the other side of Yellowstone National Park. Located near the mountain community of Alpine, getting to the trailhead is part of the fun. And you don’t have to hike all the way to Elk Lake to enjoy the trail. Read about our experience by clicking on Elk Lake Hike.
Hiking on Montana’s Stillwater Trail
When Alan and I traveled to the Stillwater River Valley in search of our Montana paradise, we found some incredible hiking trails in the Absarokas near Fishtail. Although we didn’t go far on the Stillwater Trail, it convinced us that hiking in Montana is a beautiful adventure. Click on Hiking on Montana’s Stillwater Trail to read more.
Lake Como Hike
Located in the Bitterroot Valley, the Lake Como National Recreational Loop Trail is a 7-mile hike that encircles a mountain lake. It’s a beautiful introduction to the Bitterroot Mountains that form the border between Montana and Idaho. Add Hiking at Lake Como to your Bitterroot Valley itinerary
Did you know that we publish a weekly broadcast with the latest articles from My Itchy Travel Feet, timely trip inspiration and travel deals? Subscribe by clicking here.
