Madison County, Montana

To access the lake, take South Meadow Creek Road that exits US 287 at McAllister, MT. This dirt road will head west into the Tobacco Roots before turning into FS Road 1221 approximately 3 miles before the lake. If you are in a vehicle not equipped for off-roading, park your vehicle where FS Road ...

Rain filled the air and fog hung low. It was to dreary to do much, but the idea of soaking in a natural warm springs beneath the peaks of the Tobacco Root mountains was too tempting to stay in side.Potosi Hot Springs is about 25 minutes out of the town of Pony, MT. It’s one of my favorite places ...

Winter Wall provides a scenic view while tackling some fun climbs! Climbs range from 5.8 - 5.11+ including trad and sport routes. The wall soaks up the sun giving you a warm spot year round. Overlooking the Madison river you can camp close by, float the river, and get on the wall all in the same ...

Beehive Basin has it all, a mini playground for outdoorsmen. My first visit was during the winter one year ago. We hoped to ski The Fourth of July Couloir, but conditions were not ideal and we left thinking about all the possible ski routes.I’ve been up numerous times since, running and climbing....

Thunderdome. That's the only way to describe it. Eight months later and I'm still thinking about it on a regular basis. My half-way grown out black toenail is a constant reminder of the epic-ness of that brutal race day.  The Rut is held the first weekend of September in Big Sky, MT -- a pretty r...

Beehive Basin Trail No. 40 is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Big Sky, Montana.

The trailhead is easy to find, and has a vault toilet and a decently sized parking lot. The trail leaves from right next to the toilets, and is very easy to follow. Follow a couple easy switchbacks down the hillside, cross the memorial bridge and stop to take in the beautiful scenery before follo...

The Reflector Loop is a well-known hiking trail located in Big Sky, Montana. This trail is approximately 3.65 miles long and is rated as moderate in difficulty. It features an elevation gain of about 814 feet, making it a suitable choice for hikers with a moderate level of fitness. The trail is...

Storm Castle (or Castle Mountain) is a rocky peak that rises to an elevation of 7,280 ft on the east side of the Gallatin Canyon overlooking Beckman Flats. The hike is a gorgeous 5 mile out and back trail located just 30 minutes south of Bozeman, Montana in the Gallatin Canyon. This trail offers ...

The 6 mile round trip to Lava Lake is a steady climb that runs beside Cascade Creek through the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The trail starts at the Gallatin River and continues upward through dense evergreen forest. There are no confusing intersections but is quite rocky and considered to be moderate...

Starting in Bozeman, travel south of Gallatin Gateway about 5 miles on Hwy 191 and turn left on to Storm Castle Creek Road. Follow this road for about 3.5 miles until the road ends. At this point, there is a decent sized parking area. The trail is open year round with ATV access and also snowmobi...

The Golden Trout lakes offer a scenic getaway just out of the Gallatin Valley Canyon. To access the trail head, turn east onto Portal Creek Road #984 and continue southeast for 6.8 miles. The road is in rough condition and is better suited for vehicles with a higher clearance. The trail head is e...

There are some different options for starting and ending this hike, but the route I did started at Buffalo Horn Trailhead and ends at the Hyalite Creek Trailhead, and is approximately 42 miles total. I did the trail over the course of three and a half days, spending three nights in the backcountr...

From the East Fork parking lot in Hyalite Canyon hike 4 miles gaining an easy 1,500 feet to Emerald Lake. Surrounded by mountains, Emerald Lake is a beautiful destination in itself. If you are looking for climbing, pick one of the many lines around.My partner and I decided to pick off one of the ...

Maud S is a great moderately traveled trail that weaves you through dry grassland, forests, and provides you with beautiful mountain views totaling 994 ft of elevation gain. You will find people hiking, running hills, mountain biking, and walking their dogs on this trail. After completing the ste...

Hyalite Canyon in Bozeman, MT is one of North America's premier places to ice climb. From easy ice climbs to difficult mixed routes, Hyalite has something for everyone. Most climbs are short approaches that allow you to get out for just an afternoon but there is so much potential, you can spend a...