Montana’s state and local parks offer the chance to experience the great outdoors at its finest, and they each show off their own unique beauty and features. Some of them even have beautiful hiking trails, allowing you a little exercise while you take in the stunning scenery. These seven parks have some of the prettiest trails in the state.
- Lone Pine State Park
Nikki Roth / alltrails.com Lone Pine State Park is located near Kalispell and overlooks the beautiful Flathead Valley. There are several great trails in the park, with the most popular being the 7.6 mile Herron Park Loop, pictured here.
- Makoshika State Park
Ronnie Housh / alltrails.com Makoshika is Montana’s largest state park, and it’s one of our most underrated treasures. And the Diane Gabriel Trail shows off some of its most rugged beauty.
- Sluice Boxes State Park
Sugar Free / alltrails.com If you’re up for a challenge, the 3-mile Sluice Boxes Trail has some seriously stunning views. There are some cliffs and narrow pathways, so keep that in mind if you’re inexperienced.
- Giant Springs State Park
John Plascak / alltrails.com Giant Springs is definitely the prettiest park in Great Falls, and the lengthy River’s Edge Trail spans the entire thing. The path is 10 miles total, but you don’t have to walk the entire thing to enjoy the views.
- Missouri Headwaters State Park
Sam Karson / alltrails.com This park encompasses the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers. The Missouri Headwaters Loop is the main trail, mostly paved, that makes for an amazing sunset walk.
- Mt. Ascension Park
Julia Elliott / alltrails.com Located near Helena, the Mt. Ascension Loop trail is a 3.1-mile hike that is pleasant and fairly easy. In the summer, you’ll be treated to plenty of beautiful wildflowers.
- Pictograph Cave State Park
Jonathan Eyestone / alltrails.com Billings’ historic Pictograph State Park has a short, mile-long trail that can hardly be considered a hike. That being said, if you’re a history buff, exploring the pictographs is a must.
Nikki Roth / alltrails.com
Lone Pine State Park is located near Kalispell and overlooks the beautiful Flathead Valley. There are several great trails in the park, with the most popular being the 7.6 mile Herron Park Loop, pictured here.
Ronnie Housh / alltrails.com
Makoshika is Montana’s largest state park, and it’s one of our most underrated treasures. And the Diane Gabriel Trail shows off some of its most rugged beauty.
Sugar Free / alltrails.com
If you’re up for a challenge, the 3-mile Sluice Boxes Trail has some seriously stunning views. There are some cliffs and narrow pathways, so keep that in mind if you’re inexperienced.
John Plascak / alltrails.com
Giant Springs is definitely the prettiest park in Great Falls, and the lengthy River’s Edge Trail spans the entire thing. The path is 10 miles total, but you don’t have to walk the entire thing to enjoy the views.
Sam Karson / alltrails.com
This park encompasses the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers. The Missouri Headwaters Loop is the main trail, mostly paved, that makes for an amazing sunset walk.
Julia Elliott / alltrails.com
Located near Helena, the Mt. Ascension Loop trail is a 3.1-mile hike that is pleasant and fairly easy. In the summer, you’ll be treated to plenty of beautiful wildflowers.
Jonathan Eyestone / alltrails.com
Billings’ historic Pictograph State Park has a short, mile-long trail that can hardly be considered a hike. That being said, if you’re a history buff, exploring the pictographs is a must.
Hopefully your summer plans include a few beautiful Montana hikes. If you’re heading to Glacier National Park anytime soon, check out these stunning trails.
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