If you’d rather see sunshine, wildflowers and green grass on your hikes than trek through the snow, you already know that mid-late summer is the best time to hit the trails in Montana. And while you’ll have hundreds and hundreds of spots to choose from, there are a few hikes that stand out among the rest during this warm, sunny season. The next time you decide to take a hike, find one of these beautiful trails.
- Palisade Falls
Melanie Cotton / alltrails.com There’s nothing quite like a cool waterfall hike on a hot day. This is a nice, easy, mile-long paved trail that leads to this totally tranquil scene.
- Canyon Creek Trail
Megan Biljan / alltrails.com Located near Hamilton, the 8-mile Canyon Creek Trail takes you through stunning scenery that eventually ends at a beautiful lake. The trailhead is well-marked and easy to find.
- Hidden Lake Trail
June Orleander / alltrails.com Going to Glacier National Park this summer? Don’t miss the Hidden Lake Trail, 1 5.4-mile journey full of alpine meadows, stunning views, and a gorgeous lake. The trail begins on the west side of the Logan Pass Visitor Center, going from a paved surface to a small boardwalk.
- Lemonknob Loop
Cassie Carlson / alltrails.com You’ll find this moderately trafficked 3.5-mile loop near Big Sky, and it’s a perfect hike for those who love summer wildflowers. The incline is slow and steady, so although the trek is a bit challenging, it’s a great hike for beginners.
- Crystal Lake Trail
Daniel Mitchell / alltrails.com Located near St. Regis in Lolo National Forest, the 3-mile Crystal Lake Trail is nice and inviting on a warm summer day. The path tends to remain uncrowded, so if you go in the morning, you might be the only one on the trail.
- Drinking Horse Mountain Trail
Brady Mann / alltrails.com The Drinking Horse Mountain Trail, which is located near Bozeman, is just over 2 miles in length. That being said, you should allow a few hours to complete it, because it’s extremely steep in parts. The views of the Gallatin Valley and Bridger Canyon are worth it.
- Birch Lake Trail
Kina Nelson / alltrails.com Kalispell’s Birch Lake Trail is a 7-mile trek that offers sweeping views of the Flathead Valley. On a clear day, you can catch views of the Bob Marshall, Swan, Mission, and Salish Mountains.
- Phipps Park Trail
KT McKenna / alltrails.com If you’re looking for a nice, easy hike near Billings, it doesn’t get much better than the 2.5-mile Phipps Park trail. The scenic loop gets pretty steep in parts, but it’s not too treacherous for any skill level.
- Morrell Falls National Recreation Area
Brittany H. / alltrails.com If you’re spending time at Seeley Lake this summer, you’ll definitely want to check out the nearby Morrell Falls trail. It’s about 7 miles in length, moderately challenging, and it has a breathtaking visual reward.
Summertime is perfect for enjoying a nice nature hike. And if you’ll have little ones with you, check out this list of short kid-friendly trails.
Melanie Cotton / alltrails.com
There’s nothing quite like a cool waterfall hike on a hot day. This is a nice, easy, mile-long paved trail that leads to this totally tranquil scene.
Megan Biljan / alltrails.com
Located near Hamilton, the 8-mile Canyon Creek Trail takes you through stunning scenery that eventually ends at a beautiful lake. The trailhead is well-marked and easy to find.
June Orleander / alltrails.com
Going to Glacier National Park this summer? Don’t miss the Hidden Lake Trail, 1 5.4-mile journey full of alpine meadows, stunning views, and a gorgeous lake. The trail begins on the west side of the Logan Pass Visitor Center, going from a paved surface to a small boardwalk.
Cassie Carlson / alltrails.com
You’ll find this moderately trafficked 3.5-mile loop near Big Sky, and it’s a perfect hike for those who love summer wildflowers. The incline is slow and steady, so although the trek is a bit challenging, it’s a great hike for beginners.
Daniel Mitchell / alltrails.com
Located near St. Regis in Lolo National Forest, the 3-mile Crystal Lake Trail is nice and inviting on a warm summer day. The path tends to remain uncrowded, so if you go in the morning, you might be the only one on the trail.
Brady Mann / alltrails.com
The Drinking Horse Mountain Trail, which is located near Bozeman, is just over 2 miles in length. That being said, you should allow a few hours to complete it, because it’s extremely steep in parts. The views of the Gallatin Valley and Bridger Canyon are worth it.
Kina Nelson / alltrails.com
Kalispell’s Birch Lake Trail is a 7-mile trek that offers sweeping views of the Flathead Valley. On a clear day, you can catch views of the Bob Marshall, Swan, Mission, and Salish Mountains.
KT McKenna / alltrails.com
If you’re looking for a nice, easy hike near Billings, it doesn’t get much better than the 2.5-mile Phipps Park trail. The scenic loop gets pretty steep in parts, but it’s not too treacherous for any skill level.
Brittany H. / alltrails.com
If you’re spending time at Seeley Lake this summer, you’ll definitely want to check out the nearby Morrell Falls trail. It’s about 7 miles in length, moderately challenging, and it has a breathtaking visual reward.
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