Trail Heads

Emery Bay Campground

Camping And Hiking at Emery Bay Campground

You just cant hike if you don’t have a place to lay your head. A popular campground in the Hungry Horse Ranger District is the Emery Bay Campground.

The Emery Bay Campground is located on the east shore of the Hungry Horse Reservoir off of Road 38.

You will enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and of course exploring.

Emery Bay Campground

The campground is situated along the massive Hungry Horse Reservoir, which was dammed to provide hydroelectric power and flood control to the area. It is the 10th highest dam in the United States and provides a stunning backdrop.

Boating is popular on the 27,750-acre reservoir, and a native boat ramp for smaller watercraft is available. Swimming and fishing are also popular pastimes, and anglers can expect a catch of cutthroat trout and other varieties.

A number of biking and hiking trails begin near the campground and wind around the surrounding landscape and shoreline.

Emery Bay Campground

The campground offers more than two dozen first-come, first-served campsites, available for tent and RV camping. A group campsite is also available and can accommodate up to 150 guests on two separate loops.

Each campsite includes tables and campfire rings with grills. As well as vault toilets and drinking water. An on-site host is available to answer any questions about the campground and surrounding areas.

Emery Bay Campground is just 15 miles southwest of the West Glacier entrance into Glacier National Park.

Phillips Trail #373

Hike Flathead Lake on Phillips Trail #373. Phillips Trail #373 is 3.8 miles long and climbs about 600 feet; it intersects with Crane Mtn Road #498 and the Beardance Trail #76. This is one of three trails that climb up Crane Mountain. Access by car from Crane Mountain is available 4/1-11/30, otherwise hikers must access from the Flathead Lake side at the Beardance trailhead (4.4 miles up). The trail is open for the following uses: hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Hike Flathead Lake

Usage: Light
Closest Towns: Bigfork
Directions:
Crane Mtn Access: From Bigfork go south on Highway 35 for 0.7 miles, turning left onto Hwy 209. Stay on 209 for 3 miles, then turn right at the light onto South Ferndale Rd. After 2 miles merge right onto Crane Mountain Rd also called Forest Service Road #498. The trail is 3 miles up on the west side of the road.

Flathead Lake Access: From Bigfork follow Highway 35 south, past Woods Bay, to the Beardance Picnic Area south of mile marker 23. The trailhead is on the east side of the highway, across from the parking lot. If you are planning on vacationing around Flathead Lake, consider Mike’s Flathead Lake Vacation Guide.

Length : 3.8 miles
Elevation : 3,440 feet – 4,039 feet

Flathead Lake Trail #77

This short, family friendly 0.4 mile loop interpretive Flathead Lake trail. The short but steep distance down to excellent view of Flathead Lake and the western skyline. This trail was developed in partnership with the Bigfork High School.

If you have the opportunity to visit this trail during the month of May the may Flowers will be in full bloom. The trail is a little steep going down. However, it is very manageable for young and old alike. The view from this Flathead Lake trail is exceptional. At points on the trail you will see north into Woods Bay as well as east to Wildhorse Island. Once at the bottom of this short trail be sure to refresh yourself with a plunge into the blue waters of Flathead Lake.

At a Glance
Usage: Light
Closest Towns: Bigfork
Water: No
Directions: To get to this trail head from Bigfork, go south on Highway 35 past Woods Bay, and turn right after mile marker 23, entering the Beardance trailhead parking. The trail goes downhill from both parking areas, creating a loop.

Location

Latitude : 47.95622819
Longitude : -114.0329612
Elevation : 3,071 feet – 3,071 feet

There is no camping at this trail head. Camping is available in Wayfarers State Park about 10 miles to the north in Bigfork.

Beardance Trail

The Flathead Lake Bear Dance Trail is 6.7 miles long and climbs about 2,200 feet. It begins off of Highway # 35 from the Beardance Trailhead and follows Forest Road #10222 and terminates at Crane Mountain Road #498. The trail is open to: hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Usage: Heavy
Closest Towns: Bigfork
Directions: From Bigfork go south on Highway 35 past Woods Bay and turn right after mile marker 23, entering the Beardance trailhead parking. The trailhead is on the east side of the highway.
Season: These trails are typically snow free by April.
Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles are prohibited.

Area/Length : 6.7 miles
Latitude : 47.95678
Longitude : -114.03442
Elevation : 3,071 feet – 5,309 feet

Beardance Area: Trails #76, 373, and 314

Directions: From Bigfork go south on Highway 35 past Woods Bay and turn right after mile marker 23, entering the Beardance trailhead parking. The trailhead is on the east side of the highway.

Flathead Lake Bear Dance Trail Description:

The Phillips Trail 373 leaves from the Beardance parking lot and climbs moderately, enjoy a nice viewpoint of Flathead Lake, then continues to climb through the trees and finally crosses two creeks and then descends to the road.

The Crane Mountain Trail 314 climbs up switchbacks in the shade of a dense forest and follows Crane Creek up to the junction with an old road. Once you reach the old road, the grade levels off for an easy hike to the upper trailhead.

Flathead Lake Bear Dance Trail 76 starts climbing up switchbacks then continue to climb up through a forested area to the trailhead on Crane Mountain Rd.

For a shorter family friendly hike, consider Flathead Lake Trail.

The Go Hike with Mike trail guide contains most every trail head in the Flathead and Kootenia Forest as well as the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness. Click here to purchase your copy.