Trails

Hiking Adventures Around Montana’s Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake isn’t just a pretty sight—it’s an outdoor playground begging to be explored! Whether you’re looking to stretch your legs, snap some jaw-dropping photos, or just soak up Montana’s fresh mountain air, the trails here promise an unforgettable experience.

Hiking Flathead Lake

Wild Horse Island State Park – Picture this: You hop on a boat, head to a stunning island, and share the land with actual wild horses. Yep, this place is as magical as it sounds! Hike through open meadows, spot bighorn sheep, and take in the pristine lakeside views.

Jewel Basin Hiking Area – Alpine lakes? Check. Wildflowers galore? Check. Views that make you want to drop your hiking boots and stay forever? You bet! Jewel Basin is perfect for adventurers looking for variety, whether you want an easy walk or a leg-burning uphill climb.

Blacktail Mountain Trail – If you’re chasing epic sunrise or sunset views, this one’s a must. The hike up is a workout, but trust us, the reward is totally worth it—sweeping lake and valley vistas that will leave you breathless (and not just from the uphill trek).

Pro Tips for an Awesome Hike

Pack Snacks – Because every adventure is better with trail mix and a celebratory summit snack.

Stay Alert – Bears and other wildlife call this place home. It isn’t worth it, keep your distance and bring bear spray on every hike.

Soak It All In – Don’t rush! Take in the fresh pine-scented air, listen to the birds, and snap that perfect lakeside photo.

Flathead Lake is your ticket to fun, relaxation, and outdoor thrills. So lace up those hiking boots, grab your tribal permit and hit the trail—you never know what adventure awaits!

Tally Lake Overlook Trail #804

The Tally Lake Overlook Trail is 3.0 miles long and is located within the Tally Lake Campground. This non-motorized trail offers a spectacular view of Tally Lake from the summit rock located above the campground.

Closest Towns: Whitefish, MT
Operated By: Forest Service

General Information
Directions: From Whitefish take Hwy 93 west 10 miles, turn onto Farm-to-Market Rd go 1.5 miles, turn onto the Star Meadow Road go 9 miles, turn onto FS Rd #913 go approximately 3.25 miles. Look for the campground entrance sign.

Activities: Bicycling, Hiking and Day Hiking

Elk Ridge Trail #301

The Elk Ridge trail, also known as Mollman Lakes trail, is 10.5 miles long and climbs about 3,100 feet. This trail has two trailheads, one off of Forest Service Rd #903 and one off of Forest Service Rd #9591 which is open from 12/1-10/14. This upper trail head cuts about 0.2 miles off of the route.

Hiking in Montana

The trail follows closed roads for 2.7 miles before turning into the woods. This trail leads up a closed road bed (#10291), the trail turns right at a T intersection in a large grassy area where two roads meet. After turning right the trail leaves the old road to the left less than 1/10 of a mile after the intersection. This trail is not regularly maintained past 5.4 miles, please be sure you are comfortable traveling cross country and have a map and compass if you continue past this point.

Click Here for the NFS Trail Map and Directions

Mountain biking is not allowed in the wilderness. Biking is allowed to the wilderness boundary approximately 4 miles from the lower trailhead. This is a gentle bike ride on old forest roads.

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Cedar Lake Trail #738.

Cedar Lake Trail

The Cedar Lake Trail is 7.0 miles long. It begins at end of Road #10381 (seasonally open from 6/15-3/31) and ends at the junction with the Piper Creek trail #119 which continues to Piper Lake.

The whole trail from portal to portal is 13 miles and climbs up to 6880 feet in elevation. Most of this trail is in Wilderness and so is open for the following uses: hiking and horseback riding.

Cedar Lake Trail

Click Here for Flathead National Forest Trail Map and Directions

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Go Hike With Mike Trail Guide.

The Flathead Lake Trail Guide.

See you on the Trail.

If you have ben looing to hike around Flathead Lake you need to get to know Mike. The Go Hike With Mike Trail Guide post just about every trail. Maybe you might stumble upon one not in the guide, but it is unlikely.

The guide is all about camping & hiking around Flathead Lake.

Mike has been hiking, wandering, hunting and spending time in these woods for more then 20 years. The guide includes trails as far north as Polebridge, and the Hungry Horse recreation area, and east to the Swan Front and Swan Valley. To the north the guide contains trail head and campground information in and around Tally Lake.

Hiking Around Flathead Lake

The trail guide is focused on trails, camping and being in the woods. Mike’s Flathead Lake Trail Guide breaks the area in five easy to use sections. North of Flathead lake, including The Talley Lake area and due north to Polebridge. East of Flathead Lake, including the Swan Front, Swan Valley, and on into the Hungry Horse recreation area. The guide contains most every trail Mike has hiked in the last 20 years or plans to hike in the next 20 years.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR COPY.

Don’t need the hiking guide, just some basic trail information, do not fret. Mike has included some beginner to medium hikes on this website. Depending on were you as staying there is most likely a trail head near you. Thanks for visiting, hope to see you on the trail.

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Trails around Flathead Lake.

Trails around Flathead Lake. There are many trails around Flathead lake. Here are four trails that are easily accessible. The Flathead Lake Trail is by far the easiest hike. It is a short half mile loop interpretive trail hike. 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.

Directions: 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.

If you are looking for something a bit more difficult, cross the road to the Bear Dance Trail. The Bear Dance trail and the Flathead Lake Trail share the same parking lot.

BEARDANCE TRAIL #76

The Beardance 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. This trail has been re-routed in the last year and no longer follows the old Forest Service Road #9755. 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.
Regulations: Hiking, horse riding and mountain biking are allowed on these trails. 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.

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.

The Beardance Trail 76 starts climbing up switchbacks then continue to climb up through a forested area to the trailhead on Crane Mountain Rd.

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