Hiking the Bitterroot Mountains is one of the most popular activities in the Bitterroot Valley.
You’ll never run out of quality hikes, and you’ll be in the middle of some of the most scenic places in Montana.
This article explores some of our most popular hikes, and shares their relevant info.
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Hiking the Bitterroot Mountains
Everyone loves hiking the Bitterroot Mountains, and there’s plenty of hikes to choose from.
Here’s a few of our favorites.
Bear Creek Trail
Located just west of Victor, MT, Bear Creek Trail is a 4-mile round-trip hike that winds alongside Bear Creek and leads to Bear Creek Falls.
Bear Creek Trail is a favorite for its tranquil forest setting and views of the waterfall, making it an ideal outing for families and casual hikers.
Bear Creek / Summer Lee
| DESTINATION | Bear Creek Falls |
| DISTANCE TO DESTINATION | 2.0 Miles |
| GRADE | Moderate |
| LOCATION | Bear Creek Trailhead Location |
| DIRECTIONS | On Hwy 93, drive approximately seven miles north of Hamilton, turn west onto Bear Creek Rd. Continue about two miles and turn right on Red Crow Rd. Travel less then a mile and turn left on Middle Bear Creek Rd. Continue for three miles to the trailhead. |
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Blodgett Overlook Trail
Located northwest of Hamilton, Blodgett Overlook Trail is a 3-mile round-trip hike that offers wide views of the Bitterroot Valley and Blodgett Canyon.
The trail gradually climbs through pine forest and emerges at an overlook with panoramic views.
Blodgett Overlook / Melissa McKie
| DESTINATION | Blodgett Overlook |
| DISTANCE TO DESTINATION | 1.5 Miles |
| GRADE | Moderate |
| LOCATION | Blodgett Overlook Trailhead Location |
| DIRECTIONS | Turn west on Main St. in Hamilton off Hwy 93 (at second stop light). Continue as Main St. becomes West Bridge Rd. (keep to the right). At the end of West Bridge Rd. turn left on Blodgett Camp Rd. and follow the signs to the Canyon Creek Trailhead. This trail provides spectacular views of Canyon Creek, Blodgett Canyon, and the Valley below. |
Boulder Creek Trail
Near Darby, MT, the Boulder Creek Trail is a 9-mile round-trip hike ending at the spectacular Boulder Falls.
Boulder Creek Trail is a moderately challenging hike through one of the most scenic areas in the Bitterroot Valley.
Boulder Creek / Wynne Wong
| DESTINATION | Boulder Creek Trail |
| DISTANCE TO DESTINATION | 4.5 Miles |
| GRADE | Moderate |
| LOCATION | Boulder Creek Trailhead Location |
| DIRECTIONS | On Hwy 93, four miles south of Darby, turn west onto the West Fork Rd. Travel 15 miles and turn right into the Sam Billings Campground. The trailhead is at the end of the campground. Destination is located within the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness Area. |
Camas Creek Trail
Camas Creek Trail is conveniently located just south of Hamilton, and winds it’s way through forests and meadows.
The scenic 8-mile round-trip hike to Camas Lake is one of the area’s most popular hikes with great views of the Bitterroot Mountains.
Camas Lake / Racheal Zeiler
| DESTINATION | Camas Lake |
| DISTANCE TO DESTINATION | 3.5 Miles |
| GRADE | Moderate |
| LOCATION | Camas Creek Trailhead Location |
| DIRECTIONS | On Hwy 93, travel south of Hamilton approximately nine miles and turn west (right) on Lost Horse Rd. Travel a little more than two miles and turn right at the FS Camas Creek sign. The trailhead is six miles beyond this sign. |
Kootenai Creek Trail
Kootenai Creek Trail, located near Stevensville, is a 18-mile round-trip hike through Kootenai Creek Canyon leading to Kootenai Lakes.
This popular hike is known for its great granite rock formations and the sounds of beautiful Kootenai Creek.
Kootenai Creek / Dan Crouch
| DESTINATION | Kootenai Lakes |
| DISTANCE TO DESTINATION | 9 Miles |
| GRADE | Moderate to Hard |
| LOCATION | Kootenai Creek Trailhead Location |
| DIRECTIONS | From the Stevensville junction on Hwy 93, travel north one mile. Turn west on Kootenai Creek Rd. and continue two miles to the trailhead. |
Lake Como Loop Trail
The 7-mile Lake Como Loop Trail is located between Hamilton and Darby, and completely circles the unbelievably scenic Lake Como.
Known for its easy terrain and great views, this popular trail is perfect for families and casual hikers.
Rock Creek Inlet to Lake Como / Kevin Sterling
| DESTINATION | Hike Around Lake Como |
| DISTANCE TO DESTINATION | 7 Miles |
| GRADE | Easy |
| LOCATION | Lake Como Loop Trailhead Location |
| DIRECTIONS | On Highway 93, twelve miles south of Hamilton, turn right on Lake Como Rd. Drive approximately three miles and turn right on FS Road 5623. Continue to the Upper Como campground where the trailhead begins. Stock use is restricted on the north trail. There is access across the dam making this a complete loop around the lake. The loop is also a suggested mountain bike trail. North trail ends at the bridge/falls – this is the point of access to Rock Creek trail. |
St. Mary’s Peak Trail
St. Mary’s Peak Trail is a demanding 9-mile round-trip hike leading to one of the Bitterroot Valley’s most iconic views.
Located west of Stevensville, the trail’s steep ascent through forest and rocky terrain leads to St. Mary’s Summit, the second highest peak in the Bitterroot Mountains at 9,351′.
St. Mary Peak looking Southwest” by John L. Cissell, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
| DESTINATION | St. Mary’s Peak Summit |
| DISTANCE TO DESTINATION | 4.5 Miles |
| GRADE | Moderate to Hard |
| LOCATION | St. Mary’s Peak Trailhead Location |
| DIRECTIONS | Three and a half miles south of the Stevensville junction on Highway 93 turn west on Indian Prairie Loop. Continue west 1.8 miles to St. Mary’s Rd., turn right and continue for one mile to the junction of McCalla Ridge Rd and St. Mary’s Peak Rd (#739). Continue on St. Mary’s Peak Road approximately 14 miles to the road’s end at the trailhead. The total climb from the trailhead to the lookout is 2,500′. Destination is located within the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness Area. |
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Warm Springs Trail
Located just north of Sula, Warm Springs Trail is an 18-mile round-trip hike that follows Warm Springs Creek through pines, fir and spruce forest.
The first seven miles of the hike are rated easy, the last two are more difficult as you ascend the ridge.
Warm Springs Creek Drainage / Reddit
| DESTINATION | Warm Springs Creek |
| DISTANCE TO DESTINATION | 8.7 Miles |
| GRADE | Easy to Moderate |
| LOCATION | Warm Springs Creek Trailhead Location |
| DIRECTIONS | On Highway 93, approximately four miles north of Sula, turn west on Medicine Springs Rd. (FS Road #5728). Continue for approximately four miles to the Crazy Creek Campground. Follow the signs to the trailhead. Note: only the first seven miles are considered easy. The remaining two miles are difficult. |
That’s a Good Question
June through September is considered the best hiking season as trails are free of snow and temperatures are pleasant.
Although bear encounters are fairly rare, it is recommended to carry bear spray whenever hiking in the area.
Additional Resources
Check with the local Bitterroot National Forest Service offices and Ranger Stations for free maps and hiking advice from the experts in the area.
The Bitterroot National Forest website is full of great information and resources including Ranger Station locations.
This AllTrails page is another excellent resource for specific hike information.
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