Hiking around Flathead Lake

Welcome to Montana

hiking

Enjoy a Short Video from a recent Montana hike

Hiking in Montana

First of all, BRING BEAR SPRAY.  There are limitless hiking, and there are black and grizzly bears in Northwest Montana.  Be Bear Aware, and have fun.  Hiking is a great way to explore the Montana while experiencing nature and wildlife. Each trail offers an adventure into the vast openness of Montana. From scenic day hikes in Glacier National Park to multi-day wilderness excursions in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Hiking Flathead Lake

If you are near Bigfork, Wayfares State Park is a good place to stop and camp.  Not worry,, if you are on the opposite side of the Lake, in Lakeside the trails are all but endless.  Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort, just outside of Lakeside is the best hiking opportunity.  The south side of Flathead Lake, near Polson provides limited hiking.  If you continue to travel south into the Mission Valley hiking trails are available for you to enjoy.

In addition to hiking trails, there are ample campgrounds, both public and private around the Flathead Lake.

Bears start emerging from dens in March, and some don’t den until late fall or early winter. Mountain bikers, trail runners, and other recreationists take note and read our brochure on fast-paced recreation in bear country! When you are on the trails, expect bears to be present.

Some Hikes to Enjoy around Flathead Lake Include:

 

Hiking Around Flathead Lake: Adventure & Good Times

Flathead Lake isn’t just about jaw-dropping views—it’s the perfect backdrop for making memories with friends. Whether you’re trekking through wildflower meadows, swapping stories by an alpine lake, or cheering each other on during a tough climb, these trails offer more than just scenic beauty.

Hiking Around Flathead Lake

Hiking around Flathead Lake

Wild Horse Island State Park – Imagine hopping on a boat with your besties and exploring an island where wild horses roam free. You can hike together, snap epic photos, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere—nature’s ultimate bonding experience!

Jewel Basin Hiking Area – Whether you’re tackling an easy trail or pushing each other up a tougher one, Jewel Basin has something for every hiking group. Laughing over snack breaks, capturing group selfies with mountain backdrops, and celebrating the hike with a lakeside picnic? Yes, please!

Blacktail Mountain Trail – This one’s for the adventurous crew. It’s a challenge, but that just makes reaching the top all the more rewarding. Standing together at the summit, taking in sweeping views of the valley—it’s the kind of moment that stays with you forever.

Tips for your ultimate hike

Bring A Friend – Don’t hike alone, bring a friend and enjoy the hike together.

Pack Fun Snacks – Surprise your hiking buddies with their favorite treats or a snack to share at the top!

Create a Playlist – Bring a speaker and let your favorite songs soundtrack the adventure.

Take Turns Leading – Rotate who sets the pace and guide the group—it’s a great way to make sure everyone feels involved!

Flathead Lake’s trails offer the ideal combination of adventure, beauty, and quality time with friends. So lace up your hiking boots, grab your favorite people, and hit the trails together!

Remember your tribal permits if you are hiking on the south side of Flathead lake.

GoHikeWithMike Trail Guide Download.

How Hiking with Friends Boosts Physical & Mental Health

Hiking Near Flathead Lake - Crystal Lake
Hiking with friends isn’t just about the adventure—it’s a powerful way to improve both physical and mental well-being. Whether you’re tackling a tough mountain trail or enjoying a casual nature walk, the experience strengthens your body, clears your mind, and deepens your connections with others.

Physical Benefits of Hiking with Friends

Cardiovascular Health – Hiking gets your heart pumping, improving circulation and overall cardiovascular fitness. The varied terrain keeps your body engaged, offering a full-body workout.
Strength & Endurance – Walking uphill, navigating obstacles, and trekking long distances build muscle strength, especially in the legs and core. Regular hikes enhance endurance and mobility.
Joint & Bone Health – Low-impact movement strengthens bones and joints while reducing the risk of injuries, making it ideal for all fitness levels.

Mental Health Benefits of Hiking Together

Reduces Stress & Anxiety – Nature has a calming effect, helping to lower cortisol levels and relieve stress. Hiking with friends adds laughter and conversation, boosting mood and relaxation.
Enhances Social Connection – Shared outdoor experiences deepen friendships, fostering stronger bonds and emotional support, which are crucial for mental well-being.
Improves Focus & Creativity – Time outdoors sharpens cognitive function, allowing you to reset your mind and gain fresh perspectives on life.

Whether you’re seeking physical fitness, stress relief, or simply quality time with loved ones, hiking with friends is the perfect way to refresh both body and mind. Grab your hiking boots, gather your crew, and hit the trails for an adventure that benefits your health in every way!

Enjoy a Short Video from a recent Montana hike

Hiking in Montana

First of all, There truly is almost limitless hiking around Northwest Montana. Hiking is a great way to explore the state while experiencing nature and wildlife. Each trail offers an adventure into the vast openness of Montana. From scenic day hikes in Glacier National Park to multi-day wilderness excursions in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Hiking Flathead Lake

For instance, depending on your location there are ample hikes to do and trails to wander. If you are near Bigfork, Wayfares State Park is a good place to stop and camp.  Not worry,, if you are on the opposite side of the Lake, in Lakeside the trails are all but endless.  Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort, just outside of Lakeside is the best hiking opportunity.  The south side of Flathead Lake, near Polson provides limited hiking.  If you continue to travel south into the Mission Valley hiking trails are available for you to enjoy.

In addition to hiking trails, there are ample campgrounds, both public and private around the Flathead Lake.

Some Hikes to Enjoy around Flathead Lake Include:

No matter which side of Flathead Lake you are on. Above all, enjoy your Montana vacation.

Enjoy a Short Video from a recent Montana hike

Hiking in Montana

First of all, There truly is almost limitless hiking around Flathead Lake. Hiking is a great way to explore the state while experiencing nature and wildlife. Each trail offers an adventure into the vast openness of Montana. From scenic day hikes in Glacier National Park to multi-day wilderness excursions in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Hiking Flathead Lake

For instance, depending on your location there are ample hikes to do and trails to wander. If you are near Bigfork, Wayfares State Park is a good place to stop and camp.  Not worry,, if you are on the opposite side of the Lake, in Lakeside the trails are all but endless.  Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort, just outside of Lakeside is the best hiking opportunity.  The south side of Flathead Lake, near Polson provides limited hiking.  If you continue to travel south into the Mission Valley hiking trails are available for you to enjoy.

In addition to hiking trails, there are ample campgrounds, both public and private around the Flathead Lake.

Some Hikes to Enjoy around Flathead Lake Include:

No matter which side of Flathead Lake you are on. Above all, enjoy your Montana vacation.

Enjoy a Short Video from Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Throughout time, people have sought out Glacier National Park. It’s  rugged peaks, clear waters, and glacial-carved valleys; its landscape giving both desired resources and inspiration to those persistent enough to venture through it.

Hiking in Glacier National Park
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Explore things to see and do in The Park. Established as a National Park in 1910 it is a land of mountain ranges carved by prehistoric ice rivers. It features alpine meadows, deep forests, waterfalls, about 25 glistening glaciers and 200 sparkling lakes.

The vistas seen from Going-To-The-Sun Road are breathtaking, a photographer’s paradise. Relatively few miles of road exist in the park’s 1,600 square miles of picturesque landscape, thus preserving its primitive and unspoiled beauty.

West Glacier anchors the western entrance to The Park and provides a variety of visitor services including lodging, cafes and gift shops.

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St. Mary is near the east entrance of the Park,  and is situated between Lower St. Mary Lake, in Glacier County, and Upper St. Mary Lake, in the park.

Hiking you might consider in Glacier National Park.

1. Highline Trail

Explore Glacier’s high alpine ecosystem as you traverse across the Garden Wall with expansive, breathtaking views every step of the way.

2. Grinnell Glacier

Enjoy this day hike to the foot of one of the park’s most iconic glaciers, where the trail takes you past lakes, cliffs and alpine meadows and offers possible glimpses of wildlife along the way.

3. Pitamakan – Dawson Loop

Explore the Two Medicine area on this epic loop that looks down glacier-carved, U-shaped valleys populated with lakes. Swing past two lakes and climb two alpine passes connected by a goat trail with endless views.

4. Iceberg Lake

Hike to a cobalt-blue lake tucked below jagged, jaw-dropping cliffs populated with its namesake chunks of ice.

5. Hidden Lake Overlook

Kid Friendly

Start at the famous Logan Pass, work your way across flower-covered alpine meadows, then along a glacial moraine to an overlook of the gorgeous, alpine Hidden Lake tucked among jagged peaks.

The Flathead Lake Vacation Guide

The Flathead Lake Vacation Guide includes annual events, lodging, trail heads for hiking, private campgrounds and information about every State Park around Flathead Lake. Find out more….

The Guide contains more than 70 pages of information including links to activities, local business listings, , public campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing access sites and just about any other information you want when you vacation on Flathead Lake.

The Flathead Lake Vacation Guide is easy to use. The Guide contains information about each community, complete with business listings and public access points.  The Guide also contains many of the Trail Heads along Glacier View road, as well as the Jewel Basin outside of Bigfork Montana.

The Flathead Lake Vacation Guide

The Guide contains every public access point around The Lake. It also contains most every private campground as well. So if you are looking for public or private campgrounds around our Lake, this vacation guide has the information you will need to plan your Montana vacation.

Flathead Lake Vacation Guide

Communities on Flathead Lake

Communities included in the Guide include the population centers such as Bigfork, Lakeside and Polson, as well as the smaller communities like Woods Bay, Finely Point or Big Arm. All of the Montana State Parks are listed in this vacation guide. Including Yellow Bay, Flathead Lake Trail and Finley Point State Park. The guide contains many photographs as well as information you will want during your vacation.

The guide costs $6.99 and is an instant download to your computer or mobile device. Of course the Guide comes with a money back guarantee. It’s like having all of the local information right on your phone.

Purchase your guide, either for your phone on in you hand.

The Flathead Lake Vacation Guide.

The Flathead Lake Vacation Guide includes annual events, lodging, trail heads for hiking, private campgrounds and information about every State Park around Flathead Lake. Find out more….

The Guide contains more than 70 pages of information including links to activities, local business listings, , public campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing access sites and just about any other information you want when you vacation on Flathead Lake.

The Flathead Lake Vacation Guide is easy to use. The Guide contains information about each community, complete with business listings and public access points.  The Guide also contains many of the Trail Heads along Glacier View road, as well as the Jewel Basin outside of Bigfork Montana.

Communities on Flathead Lake

Communities included in the Guide include the population centers such as Bigfork, Lakeside and Polson, as well as the smaller communities like Woods Bay, Finely Point or Big Arm. All of the Montana State Parks are listed in this vacation guide. Including Yellow Bay, Flathead Lake Trail and Finley Point State Park. The guide contains many photographs as well as information you will want during your vacation.

The guide costs $6.99 and is an instant download to your computer or mobile device. Of course the Guide comes with a money back guarantee. It’s like having all of the local information right on your phone.

Golf on Flathead Lake. Flathead Lake Vacation Guide

The Flathead Lake Vacation Guide

the Guide contains every public access point around The Lake. It also contains most every private campground as well. So if you are looking for public or private campgrounds around our Lake, this vacation guide has the information you will need to plan your Montana vacation.

Purchase your guide, either for your phone on in you hand.

Hiking Trails: Camp Misery Trail

Hiking Trail: Camp Misery Trail #68

The Camp Misery trail is 0.8 miles long. It begins at the junction with Noisy Creek Trail #8 and ends at the junction with Alpine Trail #7 and provides one of the many accesses into the Jewel Basin Hiking Area. The trail is primarily open for the following uses: Hiking.

Usage is typically light, closest town is Bigfork
Camp Misery TrailDirections:
From Bigfork, go North on Highway 35 for 2.3 miles and turn right onto Highway 83. Stay on 83 for 2.8 miles and turn left onto Echo Lake Rd. After 2.2 miles, turn slightly right onto Foothill Rd. Continue for 1.1 miles and bear slight right following the Jewel Basin sign onto Road #5392. Continue 6.6 miles to the end of the road for the trailhead.

 

Location

Area/Length : 0.8 miles
Elevation : 5,750 feet – 7,530 feet

190 pages packed with trailheads, camping spots, and local information around Flathead Lake.

PURCHASE THE GO HIKE WITH MIKE TRAIL GUIDE
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.
The trail guide is focused on trails, camping and being in the woods.  Mike’s Mike’s Go Hike With Mike 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.