• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hiking around Flathead Lake

Welcome to Montana

  • Places to Hike
  • Places to Camp
  • Trailheads
  • Get Social
You are here: Home / Flathead Lake / Hiking Trails around Flathead Lake

Hiking Trails around Flathead Lake

Discover the Best Hiking Trails Around Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States, is a true gem for outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, this Montana destination offers an array of hiking trails that provide stunning views, diverse terrain, and opportunities to experience local wildlife. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing walk or a challenging trek, hiking around Flathead Lake is an adventure you won’t forget.

Why Hike Around Flathead Lake?
Flathead Lake is more than just a picturesque body of water—it’s a hub for outdoor exploration. The lake’s shoreline is dotted with scenic hiking trails, offering panoramic views of sparkling waters and the towering peaks of the Mission and Swan Mountains. Wildlife such as bald eagles, deer, and even the occasional bear can be spotted along the trails, making each hike a thrilling experience.

Top Hiking Trails Around Flathead Lake
1. Wild Horse Island Trail
Located within Flathead Lake, Wild Horse Island is a unique hiking destination only accessible by boat. The island is home to wild horses, bighorn sheep, and breathtaking scenery. The relatively easy trails offer a mix of forested paths and open grasslands, making it an enjoyable excursion for nature lovers.

2. Flathead Lake State Park Trails
Flathead Lake State Park offers several hiking options, with trails found in six different units around the lake. The Wayfarers Unit near Bigfork features stunning views, rocky outcrops, and shaded forest paths. The West Shore Unit offers a quiet escape with peaceful trails leading to lake overlooks.

3. Bear Dance Trail
For a moderate hike with rewarding lake views, Bear Dance Trail near Woods Bay is a great choice. This 5-mile out-and-back trail winds through lush forests and opens up to incredible vistas of Flathead Lake and the surrounding mountains.

4. Blacktail Mountain Trail
Located near Lakeside, Blacktail Mountain offers a more challenging hiking experience. The trek leads to an elevation of over 6,000 feet, providing breathtaking panoramic views of Flathead Lake, Glacier National Park, and even the distant peaks of the Cabinet Mountains.

Hiking around Flathead Lake
Hiking Trails in Montana
Montana's Flathead Lake
Deer and Wildlife in Montana

Hiking Around Flathead Lake
Be Prepared: Check weather conditions and pack essentials such as water, snacks, and bear spray.
Respect Wildlife: Keep a safe distance from animals and avoid disturbing their natural habitats.
Stay on Marked Trails: Protect the delicate ecosystems by sticking to designated paths.
Leave No Trace: Help preserve the beauty of Flathead Lake by carrying out all trash and minimizing your impact.

Murray Bay Campground
Hiking around Flathead Lake is an unforgettable experience that combines stunning landscapes, rich wildlife, and diverse trails for all skill levels. Whether you choose to explore Wild Horse Island, hike through Flathead Lake State Park, or challenge yourself on Blacktail Mountain, every trail offers something unique. So lace up your hiking boots and immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Montana’s beloved Flathead Lake.

Filed Under: Flathead Lake, Hiking

Primary Sidebar

Purchase Your Copy

GoHikeWithMike Trail Guide Download.

Go Hike With Mike Trailguide in Paperback from Amazon

Hiking Around Flathead Lake

  • Awards
  • Bears
  • Bigfork
  • Boat Rentals
  • Cabinet Mountains
  • Campgrounds
  • Canvas Art
  • Clacier National Park
  • Fishing
  • Flathead
  • Flathead Lake
  • Flathead River
  • Gear
  • Glacier Park
  • Hiking
  • Hiking Trails
  • History
  • Holland Lake
  • Home Decor
  • Hungry Horse
  • Jewel Basin
  • Mission Mountain Wilderness
  • Mission Mountains
  • Mountain Top Views
  • National Parks
  • Paperback
  • Permits
  • Places to Camp
  • Places to Hike
  • Recreation
  • Reviews
  • Shopping
  • Swan Front Trails
  • Tent Camping
  • The Bison Range
  • Things To Do
  • Tourism
  • Trail Heads
  • Trails
  • Vacation
  • Videos
  • Videos
  • Wildlife
  • Yellow Bay

Trailheads

Go Hike With Mike

Permits

Recreation Permits

Equipment

Hiking Equipment

Looking for the Vacation Guide?

Montana's Flathead Lake Vacation Guide

Purchase the Flathead Lake Vacation Guide

on You Tube

Subscribe to Mike’s YouTube Channel.

Now in Paperback from Amazon



The Go Hike With Mike Trailguide
The Go Hike With Mike Trailguide
The Go Hike With Mike Trail Guide in Paperback

Footer

On The Trail:

Go Hike With Mike Website: GoHike WithMike.com

Go Hike With Mike Email: trails@gohikewithmike.com

Go Hike With Mike Social: #GoHikeWithMike

Hiking on Flathead Lake

alpine coaster Bigfork camping canvas art family fun finley point fishing flathead lake glacier Glacier National Park Glacier Park go hike with mike golf Guide hiking history Home Decor Hungry Horse indian indians mission mountains montana national pablo park permits polson port polson players refuge reservation sunrise Swan Front tourism tourist trailguide trail guide trail heads trails Vacation vacation guide vacation hjikes video videos wildlife yellow bay

Another Hiking Video from Go Hike With Mike

https://youtu.be/CyHdRucBpvE

Flathead Lake Trail Guide

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.  Click here to purchase your copy.

Follow Mike on Instagram or subscribe to his YouTube Channel

#gohikewithmike

  • Camping Around Flathead Lake
  • Flathead Lake Trails and Camping
  • The Go Hike With Mike Trail Guide

Go Hike with Mike

Go Hike With Mike Website: GoHike WithMike.com
Go Hike With Mike Email: trails@gohikewithmike.com
Go Hike With Mike Social: #GoHikeWithMike
Go Hike With Mike GoHikeWithMike Trailguide Download.

Go Hike With Mike Go Hike With Mike Trailguide in Paperback from Amazon