Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to put your hiking boots away. While it’s true that some of our trails close for the winter, you can still find plenty of places to hit the trail. These hiking spots are always worth bundling up for, and they really do showcase the amazing beauty of Montana in the wintertime. Embark upon these incredible winter hikes in Montana and learn to appreciate our beautiful state even when the temperatures are frigid! 

  1. Bozeman Creek Trail

Kevin Skinner / alltrails.com This old logging road that parallels Bozeman Creek is an easy out-and-back trail that can be as short or as long as you’d like it to be (the full distance would be about 16 miles). This awesome winter hike in Montana is one you won’t regret. Sourdough/Bozeman Creek Trailhead, Bozeman, MT 59771, USA

  1. Red Eagle Lake Trail, Glacier National Park

furupanda / TripAdvisor Believe it or not, this is a beautiful hike to take in the winter, especially if snow is on the ground and you cover some ground on skis. This unbelievable scenic hiking trail in Montana only gets better in the winter. Red Eagle Lake, Montana, USA

  1. Lava Lake Trail

Travis Walter / alltrails.com This trail offers a nice, five-mile hike that’s breathtaking any time of year, but the frozen lake makes the experience seem surreal. We can’t get enough of this scenic hiking trail in Montana in the summer. It’s even better in the winter. Lava Lake Trailhead, 501-901 Cascade Creek Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, USA

  1. Four Dances Trail, Billings

KT McKenna / alltrails.com The Four Dances Trail is under three miles long, meaning you won’t freeze. It also happens to have the best views of Billings in town. Anyone who wants a nice, easy hike in Montana are sure to love this. Four Dances Trailhead, 1100 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, USA

  1. Waterworks Hill, Missoula

Adam Winger / alltrails.com Located just off Greenough Drive, Waterworks is an easy, scenic in-town hike that’s perfect for taking in the winter sights. Having just undergone renovations in 2022, the Waterworks Hill Trail is modern, up-to-date, and sure to please. Waterworks Hill, Missoula, MT 59802, USA

  1. Milwaukee Railroad, Butte

KT McKenna / alltrails.com This year-round hiking trail near Butte is a manageable two-mile round-trip stretch, and it’s gorgeous when it’s covered in a soft coating of snow. It’s easily one of the more interesting hikes in MT thanks to its urban exploration-esque perfection. Milwaukee Trail, Butte, MT 59701, USA

Montana is a nature lover’s paradise… but the winters are definitely cold. Here are some Montana hikes under 5 miles long that will help you get back inside by the fire before dark! Which winter hikes in MT would you add to this list of the “best of”? Let us know in the comments.

Kevin Skinner / alltrails.com

This old logging road that parallels Bozeman Creek is an easy out-and-back trail that can be as short or as long as you’d like it to be (the full distance would be about 16 miles). This awesome winter hike in Montana is one you won’t regret.

Sourdough/Bozeman Creek Trailhead, Bozeman, MT 59771, USA

furupanda / TripAdvisor

Believe it or not, this is a beautiful hike to take in the winter, especially if snow is on the ground and you cover some ground on skis. This unbelievable scenic hiking trail in Montana only gets better in the winter.

Red Eagle Lake, Montana, USA

Travis Walter / alltrails.com

This trail offers a nice, five-mile hike that’s breathtaking any time of year, but the frozen lake makes the experience seem surreal. We can’t get enough of this scenic hiking trail in Montana in the summer. It’s even better in the winter.

Lava Lake Trailhead, 501-901 Cascade Creek Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, USA

KT McKenna / alltrails.com

The Four Dances Trail is under three miles long, meaning you won’t freeze. It also happens to have the best views of Billings in town. Anyone who wants a nice, easy hike in Montana are sure to love this.

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

Adam Winger / alltrails.com

Located just off Greenough Drive, Waterworks is an easy, scenic in-town hike that’s perfect for taking in the winter sights. Having just undergone renovations in 2022, the Waterworks Hill Trail is modern, up-to-date, and sure to please.

Waterworks Hill, Missoula, MT 59802, USA

This year-round hiking trail near Butte is a manageable two-mile round-trip stretch, and it’s gorgeous when it’s covered in a soft coating of snow. It’s easily one of the more interesting hikes in MT thanks to its urban exploration-esque perfection.

Milwaukee Trail, Butte, MT 59701, USA

If you find that you cannot get enough of winter in Montana, never fear: we’ve got you covered! Embark upon a breathtaking winter horseback ride in Montana, and then plan a visit to some of the most amazing natural wonders in Montana after it snows to see them at their best.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter Hikes in Montana November 19, 2022 Tori Jane

What are the best winter hikes in MT?  

The best winter hikes in Montana include amazing trails like:  

Hiking Sypes Canyon The Lava Lake Trail …or literally, any amazing Montana frozen waterfall hikes

  1. Where can I go on amazing scenic hikes in MT?   Of course, winter isn’t the only time to do scenic hikes in Montana! Some of the best amazing scenic hikes in MT are:  

The Avalanche Lake Trail Red Rock Falls Trail Triple Tree Trail  Running Eagle Falls Trail

  3. What is winter in MT like?   Winter in Montana is, in a word, frigid. But don’t let that scare you. There are lots of fun things to do in Montana in the winter, like:  

Visit some truly refreshing Montana hot springs Do a winter day trip Check out all the ways to beat the winter blues in Montana

The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter Hikes in Montana

November 19, 2022

Tori Jane

What are the best winter hikes in MT?  

The best winter hikes in Montana include amazing trails like:  

Hiking Sypes Canyon The Lava Lake Trail …or literally, any amazing Montana frozen waterfall hikes

  1. Where can I go on amazing scenic hikes in MT?   Of course, winter isn’t the only time to do scenic hikes in Montana! Some of the best amazing scenic hikes in MT are:  

The Avalanche Lake Trail Red Rock Falls Trail Triple Tree Trail  Running Eagle Falls Trail

  3. What is winter in MT like?   Winter in Montana is, in a word, frigid. But don’t let that scare you. There are lots of fun things to do in Montana in the winter, like:  

Visit some truly refreshing Montana hot springs Do a winter day trip Check out all the ways to beat the winter blues in Montana

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The best winter hikes in Montana include amazing trails like:  

  • Hiking Sypes Canyon
  • The Lava Lake Trail
  • …or literally, any amazing Montana frozen waterfall hikes
  1. Where can I go on amazing scenic hikes in MT?  

Of course, winter isn’t the only time to do scenic hikes in Montana! Some of the best amazing scenic hikes in MT are:  

  • The Avalanche Lake Trail
  • Red Rock Falls Trail
  • Triple Tree Trail
  • Running Eagle Falls Trail

 

  1. What is winter in MT like?  

Winter in Montana is, in a word, frigid. But don’t let that scare you. There are lots of fun things to do in Montana in the winter, like:  

  • Visit some truly refreshing Montana hot springs
  • Do a winter day trip
  • Check out all the ways to beat the winter blues in Montana