Hiking around Flathead Lake

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Trail Heads

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.  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.

Cedar Lake Trail #738

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.

Click Here for Flathead National Forest Trail Map and Directions

Trails around Flathead Lake

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.

Mission Mountains Wilderness

Mission Mountains Wilderness
Located in the Flathead National Forest in Montana. 

The Mission Mountains Wilderness is on the Swan Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest in northwestern Montana. The Forest Service manages it as part of the National Forest System. Officially classified as Wilderness on January 4, 1975, the 73,877 acre area is managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964.  The Mission Mountains run along the east shore of Montana’s Flathead Lake.

The Mission Mountains, Holland LakeWhen to Visit – Most people visit the wilderness between July 1 and October 1. Snow-filled passes and high streams make earlier travel difficult and hazardous. High lakes do not open up until early or mid-June.

June is normally a wet month. Snow still covers high, shaded basins and surrounds trees.

July, August, and early September are dry months. Daytime temperatures are the 80-90 degree range. Showers are frequent. Nights are very cool. Snow occur at any time. Heavy snow generally occurs in late October and early November.

Mission Mountains Trail HeadIf you are a skier or winter camper, late February through May provide the best snow conditions and longer days. When planning an extended backcountry trip, be informed of potential avalanche conditions.

Trails – There are about 45 miles of maintained Forest Service system trails in the Mission Mountains. Most trails are better suited to hiking than horseback riding because of rugged terrain.

Travel is primarily by foot with some horseback use. Mountain bikes, hang gliders, motorized trail bikes, motorcycles, three and four wheelers, and snowmobiles are not permitted. Few of the trails can be called easy. Some are especially difficult because of steepness. You should be an experienced hiker to travel cross country and should possess map reading and compass skills.

Throughout the Mission Mountains you will find old Indian and packer trails. These are usually steep and difficult to follow. They are suitable for only the most experienced horse users or backpackers.

Mission Mountain TrailAccess Points – The major access points into the Mission Mountains Wilderness from the Swan Valley: Glacier Creek, Cold Lakes, Piper Creek, Fatty Creek, and Beaver Creek. Other access points from the Swan Valley include Lindbergh Lake (south end trail reached by boat), Jim Lakes, Hemlock Creek, Meadow Lake, and Elk Point.

There are also three major access points from the Salish & Kootenai Indian Reservation side of the Mission Mountains. Access through tribal lands requires a permit. These permits may be purchased at major sporting goods stores in Missoula and the Mission Valley or through the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Recreation Department in Pablo, Montana, phone (406) 675-2700.

A major portion of the Mission Mountains is suitable for backpacking only. Travel is strenuous, but it has many advantages: independence and self-sufficiency, opportunities for solitude, and you’re more carefree when backpacking.

DAY HIKES: The Mission Mountains has several hikes ranging from 1 1/4 miles to 6 miles (one way) which can be completed in a day. You will carry less on your back and travel more easily.

BACKPACKING: Backpacking requires careful planning. Proper equipment, with maximum utility and minimum weight, will make the trip easier. The most important items will be your pack, sleeping bag, and foot gear. Take only what you need. A pack that is too heavy can spoil your trip. A pack without adequate food, clothing and shelter can be equally disappointing and unpleasant.

The Go Hike With Mike trail guide contains most every trailhead along the Swan front of the Mission Mountains.

ESTES LAKE TRAIL #96

The Estes Lake trail is 1.5 miles long. It begins at the junction with Road #498 and ends at Estes Lake.

The trail starts out climbing slightly, goes over a knoll, and then descends, winding through the topography and between small wetlands; there is a small cedar grove near the lake. Estes Lake is a tannic lake bordered by lily pads and scattered with blue dragon flies (depending on the time of year).

The trail is open for Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) less than or equal to 50 inches wide, 2 wheeled vehicles, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking.

Estes Lake trail directions, from Bigfork, go south on Highway 35 for 0.7 miles, turning left onto Hwy 209. Stay on 209 for 3 miles, turning right at the light onto South Ferndale Rd. After 2 miles, merge right.

Estes Lake trail

Mike has been up and down this trail many times.  It is a favorite for out of area friends and guests.  If you want to make it interesting you can begin the trail down and it breaks off to many different points.  The beauty is it is really hard to get lost.  If you Hike down you end at Flathead Lake, or Crane Mountain.  In either case civilization is just around the corner.

If you are hiking somewhere other then around Montana’s Flathead Lake be sure to check out the Top 100 Hiking Blogs from Feed Spot.

Holland Lake Campground

Holland LakeThe Holland Lake Campground is located seven miles south of Condon, Montana and 20 miles north of Seeley Lake, Montana off Montana Highway 83. From Highway 83 turn east on the Holland Lake Road and travel three and 1/2 miles east to the Y-intersection with the Owl Creek Loop Road. Follow Holland Lake Road to the left and the entrances to the group site and campground are a short distance down the road.

Restrictions: 16 day stay limit. Food storage required for human and stock food, garbage, and other attractants.  |  Closest Towns: Condon, MT – 9 miles.

Potable Water is available.  Restroom includes a flush toilet as well as a vault toilet

Passes: $30 season pass for day use is available through the concessionaire. This pass can be used at all campgrounds with day use fees on the Flathead National Forest under concession contract.  This campground is operated by Flathead Valley Campgrounds, Barta Enterprises, 406-646-1012

 Directions: From Highway 83 turn east onto Holland Lake Road #44 near mile marker 35. Follow this road about 3 miles. There are two loops, first the Bay Loop then the Larch Loop. The Campground host is located in the Larch Loop.

Activities include cabins and campground camping. There are 40 campsites, 50 foot maximum trailer length.

Holland Lake Trail Video

Murray Bay Campground

Murray Bay CampgroundMurray Bay Campground is located high in the Rocky Mountains, less than 30 miles from the Continental Divide, surrounded by towering mountain peaks. Visitors can expect a variety of recreational activities, including, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, exploring and big game hunting. The campground is 22 miles south of Martin City on the east shore of Hungry Horse Reservoir. This campground has a 16 day stay limit. Pets must be on a leash at all times while visiting campgrounds.

Murray Bay Campground

Reservations: This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777 or on-line at www.recreation.gov .

Fees: Single Site $16 Double Site $32 Extra Vehicle $5 Day Use $5

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.

Boating is popular on the 27,750-acre reservoir. There is a concrete boat ramp accessible from within the campground. Swimming and fishing are also popular pastimes. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish, including cutthroat trout.

The hosted campground offers 20 overnight sites for tent and RV camping.  Campground roads and parking spurs are gravel. An on-site host is available to answer any questions about the campground and surrounding area.