There’s nothing quite like lacing up your boots and going for a hike in the beautiful Montana wilds. No matter where you’re located in Big Sky Country, you’re sure to be near someplace scenic and worth exploring! And if you time it right, you’ll also catch an incredible sunset. So we put together the following list of trails that lead to stellar spots for enjoying a sunset. These aren’t just some of the most scenic hikes in Montana… they’re some of the best all-around hikes in the state, too!
- Mount Sentinel “M” Trail, Missoula
Craig Cyr / alltrails.com The “M” Trail is a very popular and easy hike in Missoula. Climb to the top, have a sunset picnic, and enjoy the incredible views. Mount Sentinel, Mt Sentinel, Montana 59801, USA
- Four Dances Trail, Billings
Chelsea Rabideau / alltrails.com This 2.6 mile loop trail boasts some of the most beautiful views in Billings. Hitting the trail just before sunset feels positively magical. Four Dances Trailhead, 1100 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, USA
- Sacagawea Peak, Bozeman
christie greiner-shelton / alltrails.com You’ll see spectacular views from the lower saddle to the top of this four-mile trail, which is best enjoyed in late spring or early summer. Sacagawea Peak, Montana 59714, USA
- Lake McDonald Trail, Glacier National Park
JD Hascup / Flickr If you’ve ever seen Lake McDonald at sunset (or sunrise!), you know why this hike would be amazing. The entire trail is over 13 miles in length, but you don’t have to hike the whole thing to get a great workout with gorgeous views. Lake McDonald, Montana 59936, USA
- M Trail, Bozeman
Justin P / alltrails.com Bozeman also has an M Trail hike, a nice, easy 1.7 mile loop that looks especially amazing at sunset. M Trail, Opportunity Drive,, Malta, MT 59538, USA
- Blodgett Canyon Overlook Trail, Hamilton
Janie Tribble / alltrails.com This easy-to-navigate 2.8 mile trail near Hamilton is popular during the summer, and it’s easy to see why. This is an excellent trail for beginning hikers. Blodgett Canyon, Montana 59840, USA
- Calypso Trail, Terry
Jean Duhaime / alltrails.com The mountains of Western Montana are amazing, but if you’ve ever seen the Eastern Montana badlands at sunset, you know they’re just as breathaking. This short, flat trail is a great place to experience them yourself. Terry, MT 59349, USA
- Leigh Lake Trail, Libby
Caleb Heibert / alltrails.com This 2.7 mile trail has it all: a waterfall, a lake, and yes, stunning sunset views. Leigh Lake Trail 132 Trailhead, NF-4786, Libby, MT 59923, USA
There’s nothing like a nice hike at sunset to end a beautiful day in Montana, is there? What do you think: are these not the best hikes in Montana to enjoy a sunset? Did we miss any of your favorite scenic spots? Let us know in the comments below! And for more hikes with stunning views in the Treasure State, check out this list.
Craig Cyr / alltrails.com
The “M” Trail is a very popular and easy hike in Missoula. Climb to the top, have a sunset picnic, and enjoy the incredible views.
Mount Sentinel, Mt Sentinel, Montana 59801, USA
Chelsea Rabideau / alltrails.com
This 2.6 mile loop trail boasts some of the most beautiful views in Billings. Hitting the trail just before sunset feels positively magical.
Four Dances Trailhead, 1100 Coburn Rd, Billings, MT 59101, USA
christie greiner-shelton / alltrails.com
You’ll see spectacular views from the lower saddle to the top of this four-mile trail, which is best enjoyed in late spring or early summer.
Sacagawea Peak, Montana 59714, USA
JD Hascup / Flickr
If you’ve ever seen Lake McDonald at sunset (or sunrise!), you know why this hike would be amazing. The entire trail is over 13 miles in length, but you don’t have to hike the whole thing to get a great workout with gorgeous views.
Lake McDonald, Montana 59936, USA
Justin P / alltrails.com
Bozeman also has an M Trail hike, a nice, easy 1.7 mile loop that looks especially amazing at sunset.
M Trail, Opportunity Drive,, Malta, MT 59538, USA
Janie Tribble / alltrails.com
This easy-to-navigate 2.8 mile trail near Hamilton is popular during the summer, and it’s easy to see why. This is an excellent trail for beginning hikers.
Blodgett Canyon, Montana 59840, USA
Jean Duhaime / alltrails.com
The mountains of Western Montana are amazing, but if you’ve ever seen the Eastern Montana badlands at sunset, you know they’re just as breathaking. This short, flat trail is a great place to experience them yourself.
Terry, MT 59349, USA
Caleb Heibert / alltrails.com
This 2.7 mile trail has it all: a waterfall, a lake, and yes, stunning sunset views.
Leigh Lake Trail 132 Trailhead, NF-4786, Libby, MT 59923, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Montana April 17, 2022 Sarah M. What are some of the best waterfall hikes in Montana? If you’re an avid waterfall chaser, you likely know that Montana is a wonderful state for such quests. The Treasure State is, pardon the pun, but a total treasure trove of glorious falls, and we have some seriously scenic trails upon which to find them. We put together this list of the best waterfall hikes in Montana, and it really does feature some of the best all-around trails in the state, to boot. For example, the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail in Glacier National Park is a bucket-list adventure, featuring the two titular falls on a truly scenic trek. Crow Creek Falls Trail is a 5.6 mile trail that makes for a scenic day hike. The changes in elevation make it moderately challenging in parts, but it’s still considered safe for all skill levels. If you’re looking for something a bit shorter, the trail to Kootenai Falls is only a mile in total, and it’s really more of a “walk” than a “hike.” And while the waterfall is certainly impressive, it’s not the only highlight on the trek; you’ll have to cross a swinging bridge with some impressive views to reach it! What are some scenic places to visit in Montana? Montana really does live up to its “Treasure State” nickname, as our state is teeming with natural beauty of all varieties. Some of the places in Montana that best showcase the state’s natural beauty include Glacier National Park, Gallatin National Forest, Big Sky, Bigfork, Makoshika State Park, Four Dances Recreation Area, Flathead National Forest, Bitterroot National Forest, Palisade Falls, and Lake Koocanusa.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Montana
April 17, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some of the best waterfall hikes in Montana? If you’re an avid waterfall chaser, you likely know that Montana is a wonderful state for such quests. The Treasure State is, pardon the pun, but a total treasure trove of glorious falls, and we have some seriously scenic trails upon which to find them. We put together this list of the best waterfall hikes in Montana, and it really does feature some of the best all-around trails in the state, to boot. For example, the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail in Glacier National Park is a bucket-list adventure, featuring the two titular falls on a truly scenic trek. Crow Creek Falls Trail is a 5.6 mile trail that makes for a scenic day hike. The changes in elevation make it moderately challenging in parts, but it’s still considered safe for all skill levels. If you’re looking for something a bit shorter, the trail to Kootenai Falls is only a mile in total, and it’s really more of a “walk” than a “hike.” And while the waterfall is certainly impressive, it’s not the only highlight on the trek; you’ll have to cross a swinging bridge with some impressive views to reach it! What are some scenic places to visit in Montana? Montana really does live up to its “Treasure State” nickname, as our state is teeming with natural beauty of all varieties. Some of the places in Montana that best showcase the state’s natural beauty include Glacier National Park, Gallatin National Forest, Big Sky, Bigfork, Makoshika State Park, Four Dances Recreation Area, Flathead National Forest, Bitterroot National Forest, Palisade Falls, and Lake Koocanusa.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you’re an avid waterfall chaser, you likely know that Montana is a wonderful state for such quests. The Treasure State is, pardon the pun, but a total treasure trove of glorious falls, and we have some seriously scenic trails upon which to find them. We put together this list of the best waterfall hikes in Montana, and it really does feature some of the best all-around trails in the state, to boot. For example, the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail in Glacier National Park is a bucket-list adventure, featuring the two titular falls on a truly scenic trek. Crow Creek Falls Trail is a 5.6 mile trail that makes for a scenic day hike. The changes in elevation make it moderately challenging in parts, but it’s still considered safe for all skill levels. If you’re looking for something a bit shorter, the trail to Kootenai Falls is only a mile in total, and it’s really more of a “walk” than a “hike.” And while the waterfall is certainly impressive, it’s not the only highlight on the trek; you’ll have to cross a swinging bridge with some impressive views to reach it!
What are some scenic places to visit in Montana?
Montana really does live up to its “Treasure State” nickname, as our state is teeming with natural beauty of all varieties. Some of the places in Montana that best showcase the state’s natural beauty include Glacier National Park, Gallatin National Forest, Big Sky, Bigfork, Makoshika State Park, Four Dances Recreation Area, Flathead National Forest, Bitterroot National Forest, Palisade Falls, and Lake Koocanusa.
