It may be the dead of winter, but that doesn’t mean Montana looks (or feels) any less alive. In fact, our winter landscapes are breathtaking – and although the temperatures are low, we should all bundle up and get out and enjoy them. Although you may need snowshoes for a few of these trails, they all showcase the sheer beauty of our state during this season. Here are nine amazing winter hiking trails in Montana that prove winter hiking in MT is, indeed, the best:

  1. Beehive Basin

Kathleen Walsh / alltrails.com The Beehive Basin trail is located near Big Sky Mountain Village, and it’s a seven-mile stretch of pure winter wonderland. It’s a little challenging, but the scenery makes it worth it. This is one of the best hikes in MT all year, but in the winter, it’s especially perfect. Beehive Basin, Big Sky, MT 59730, USA

  1. Lava Lake Trail

Kieran Ryan / alltrails.com This incredibly gorgeous Gallatin Gateway trail is open all year, and for that, we are grateful. The 5.5-mile stretch looks absolutely magical dusted with snow, especially the lake itself. This is one of our favorite things to do in MT in the winter. Lava Lake Trailhead, 501-901 Cascade Creek Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, USA

  1. Four Dances Recreation Area

Jim Slack / alltrails.com Four Dances Recreation Area is where you go to see the best views of the Billings area, and this 2.6-mile hiking trail is the perfect way to see them. The views are to die for. Four Dances Recreation Area, 03092721101010000, Billings, MT 59101, USA

  1. Hyalite Creek Trail

Collin Rose / alltrails.com Located in Gallatin County near Bozeman, this trail takes you on a 12-mile tour through some of Montana’s most breathtaking scenery. This area does get a lot of snowfall, so come prepared. Winter hiking in MT has never been so filled with magic. Hyalite Creek Trail, Montana, USA

  1. Lolo Peak

Gina Brown / alltrails.com The Lolo Peak Trail is located in the Bitterroot National Forest, just outside of Lolo. This nine-mile-long trail is not for beginners, but experienced cross-country skiers will absolutely love it. Lolo Peak, Montana 59847, USA

  1. Big Creek Trail

Jeff Brown / alltrails.com Big Creek Trail (which you’ll find near the town of Victor in the Bitterroot) is best known for its gorgeous fall colors. But this 6.6-mile stretch is also beautiful this time of year, and it’s nice and easy to navigate. Big Creek, Montana, USA

  1. Blacktail Mountain Trail

Byron Tomingas / alltrails.com Snowshoers, rejoice: This six-mile loop near Lakeside will become your new favorite trail. Much of it is uphill, so you’ll get a great workout. This amazing hiking trail in MT makes for an excellent day trip. Blacktail Mountain Road, Blacktail Mountain Rd, Montana, USA

  1. Summit Trail

Kenneth & Deborah Causey / alltrails.com This is an absolutely gorgeous Montana hiking trail for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, but it’s also incredibly challenging, so you should skip it if you’re a beginner. But if you’re a pro, you’ll love this 15-mile path near Whitefish. Summit Trail, Summit Trl, Montana 59917, USA

  1. Hidden Lake Trail

Yushan Han / alltrails.com You’ll find snow in this part of Glacier National Park for about half the year, and you may not be able to access the trail during the most treacherous parts of winter. But if you can, you’ll find breathtaking views for the entire five-mile journey. Hidden Lake Trail is the adventure of a lifetime. Hidden Lake Trail, Montana, USA

We might have some mixed feelings about winter in Montana, but in the end, we appreciate all four seasons in the Treasure State. What are your favorite things to do in Montana during the winter? Do you have any favorite winter hikes in MT to share? Let us know!

Kathleen Walsh / alltrails.com

The Beehive Basin trail is located near Big Sky Mountain Village, and it’s a seven-mile stretch of pure winter wonderland. It’s a little challenging, but the scenery makes it worth it. This is one of the best hikes in MT all year, but in the winter, it’s especially perfect.

Beehive Basin, Big Sky, MT 59730, USA

Kieran Ryan / alltrails.com

This incredibly gorgeous Gallatin Gateway trail is open all year, and for that, we are grateful. The 5.5-mile stretch looks absolutely magical dusted with snow, especially the lake itself. This is one of our favorite things to do in MT in the winter.

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

Jim Slack / alltrails.com

Four Dances Recreation Area is where you go to see the best views of the Billings area, and this 2.6-mile hiking trail is the perfect way to see them. The views are to die for.

Four Dances Recreation Area, 03092721101010000, Billings, MT 59101, USA

Collin Rose / alltrails.com

Located in Gallatin County near Bozeman, this trail takes you on a 12-mile tour through some of Montana’s most breathtaking scenery. This area does get a lot of snowfall, so come prepared. Winter hiking in MT has never been so filled with magic.

Hyalite Creek Trail, Montana, USA

Gina Brown / alltrails.com

The Lolo Peak Trail is located in the Bitterroot National Forest, just outside of Lolo. This nine-mile-long trail is not for beginners, but experienced cross-country skiers will absolutely love it.

Lolo Peak, Montana 59847, USA

Jeff Brown / alltrails.com

Big Creek Trail (which you’ll find near the town of Victor in the Bitterroot) is best known for its gorgeous fall colors. But this 6.6-mile stretch is also beautiful this time of year, and it’s nice and easy to navigate.

Big Creek, Montana, USA

Byron Tomingas / alltrails.com

Snowshoers, rejoice: This six-mile loop near Lakeside will become your new favorite trail. Much of it is uphill, so you’ll get a great workout. This amazing hiking trail in MT makes for an excellent day trip.

Blacktail Mountain Road, Blacktail Mountain Rd, Montana, USA

Kenneth & Deborah Causey / alltrails.com

This is an absolutely gorgeous Montana hiking trail for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, but it’s also incredibly challenging, so you should skip it if you’re a beginner. But if you’re a pro, you’ll love this 15-mile path near Whitefish.

Summit Trail, Summit Trl, Montana 59917, USA

Yushan Han / alltrails.com

You’ll find snow in this part of Glacier National Park for about half the year, and you may not be able to access the trail during the most treacherous parts of winter. But if you can, you’ll find breathtaking views for the entire five-mile journey. Hidden Lake Trail is the adventure of a lifetime.

Hidden Lake Trail, Montana, USA

For even more ideas about fun things to do in Montana in the winter, be sure to check out some more of our all-time favorite winter hikes in MT. If you’re feeling less up for a hike and more up for a winter wonderland, then you’ll love a visit to any (or all) of the best holiday towns in Montana.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter Hiking in Montana November 18, 2022 Tori Jane

Where can I go winter hiking in MT?  

Among the best trails for winter hiking in Montana are crown jewels like:  

The Beehive Basin Trail  The Champagne Falls Trail    The Four Dances Trail  Lava Lake Trail 

  2. What are some of the best things to do in MT?   Some of the best things to do in Montana include:  

Lake McDonald   Kootenai Falls    Hike Logan Pass   

Marvel at Palisade Falls 

  3. What are fun things to do in the winter in MT?   Don’t let the cold get you down! Fun things to do in the winter in Montana are:  

Check out some Montana towns that actually have mild winters    Visit Montana’s amazing hot springs   

Be charmed by a delightful Christmas village in Montana   

The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter Hiking in Montana

November 18, 2022

Tori Jane

Where can I go winter hiking in MT?  

Among the best trails for winter hiking in Montana are crown jewels like:  

The Beehive Basin Trail  The Champagne Falls Trail    The Four Dances Trail  Lava Lake Trail 

  2. What are some of the best things to do in MT?   Some of the best things to do in Montana include:  

Lake McDonald   Kootenai Falls    Hike Logan Pass   

Marvel at Palisade Falls 

  3. What are fun things to do in the winter in MT?   Don’t let the cold get you down! Fun things to do in the winter in Montana are:  

Check out some Montana towns that actually have mild winters    Visit Montana’s amazing hot springs   

Be charmed by a delightful Christmas village in Montana   

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Among the best trails for winter hiking in Montana are crown jewels like:  

  • The Beehive Basin Trail
  • The Champagne Falls Trail
  • The Four Dances Trail
  • Lava Lake Trail

 

  1. What are some of the best things to do in MT?  

Some of the best things to do in Montana include:  

  • Lake McDonald

  • Kootenai Falls

  • Hike Logan Pass

  • Marvel at Palisade Falls

  1. What are fun things to do in the winter in MT?  

Don’t let the cold get you down! Fun things to do in the winter in Montana are:  

  • Check out some Montana towns that actually have mild winters

  • Visit Montana’s amazing hot springs

  • Be charmed by a delightful Christmas village in Montana