Hikes Near Flathead Lake
One of the greatest joys in life is losing yourself amidst the serenity of the wilderness. And with views of Flathead Lake and the many surrounding bodies of water, not only will you find hiking trails here that offer stunning getaways filled with piney scents of fresh, clean air, but you’ll also experience vistas of crystal clear waters that are like no other place on Earth.
// The hikes near Flathead Lake are stunning! //
But how does one decide which hiking trails to embark upon? With hundreds of miles of trails near Flathead Lake and within the Flathead Valley, not to mention nearby Glacier, there are sure to be several hikes that fit exactly what you have envisioned for your time spent near Flathead Lake. We’ve listed a few to get you started, but that’s just that. Once you start, you’ll want to explore more because for every trail we mention, there are more that will catch your eye.
Before you head off to get “lost” in the woods, here are few tips so that when you’re ready to head back, you’re not lost at all.
Hiking Tips
Have a map of the area with you. That map could be a picture on your phone, a trail app, or a printed map. And remember, your phone isn’t always going to have service, and the battery could die, so just be prepared with the knowledge of where you are heading.
Let someone know where you are going, including the trailhead, the trail area, and when you plan on being back.
Bring the right gear. That means water, layers, snacks, bear spray, proper hiking shoes, bug spray, and sunscreen.
Be aware of the weather. We all know we can’t predict the weather, but we can be prepared. In the wilderness, storms can roll in at any moment, changing the temps from hot to cold, or dry to wet in an instant. Those layers are important.
Know what type of hike you are in for and the people you are hiking with. If you are an expert hiker, but your friends are novice, then you need to plan a trail that fits their abilities, not yours!
// Have the proper gear and know how to use it. //
Hikes Near Flathead Lake
Now that you have some tips under your belt, it’s time to take a hike. We’ve got a few here to get you started, and if you come across some fantastic hikes that we didn’t cover, please let us know. We like to hike as much as you do.
Swan River Trail
If you’re need of a quick Mother Nature fix but not quite ready to leave the comforts of town, then the Swan River Trail is the perfect hike for you. Located at the top of the hill just east of the Bigfork Inn on Electric Avenue (which is downtown Bigfork), this four mile out and back trail (two miles out and two miles back) follows the beautiful Swan River. Well maintained with an elevation gain not worth mentioning, this trail is made for all skill levels and is the perfect place to get in some exercise before or after exploring downtown Bigfork.
Flathead Lake Trails
A mere 3.5 miles from Flathead Lake Resort, six miles south of Bigfork, you’ll find access to two trails and ample parking at the trailhead right alongside Highway 35.
Flathead Lake Trail - This easy half mile round trip hike offers great access to Flathead Lake right from the parking lot. With only 160 feet of elevation gain, you can get a quick respite away from it all within minutes. And when in need of more hiking, just wander across the road to Beardance Trail.
// Flathead Head Lake Trail //
Beardance - While this out and back trail is close to Flathead Lake Resort and Bigfork, it is a doozy. Just the first two to three miles alone will get you huffing and puffing with 1,600 feet of elevation gain. Granted, this means you’ll have nothing but down when you turn around, but you’ll definitely get a work out in. Beardance offers 13 miles (6.5 miles in and 6.5 miles back out) of forested beauty with brief glimpses of Flathead Lake below and over 2800 feet of total elevation gain. Phillips Trail intersects with Beardance about a mile in.
This trail along with the ending Beardance trail will take you to access roads that will bring you further into what is known more for its mountain biking than hiking, Crane Mountain Trails. While Beardance and Phillips are also mountain biking trails, the few times we have been here, we have seen no bikes, and very few hikers. You can get away from it all.
// Hiking at Beardance Trail //
Flathead Lake State Park
With six seven units (as of 2023) within Flathead Lake State Park, each with their own unique trails and amenities, these are fun places to explore while also gaining access to the beauty that is Flathead Lake. Three of the units are located on the east side of the lake closest to Bigfork and Flathead Lake Resort: Wayfarers, Yellow Bay, and Finley Point (campground and lake access). The other three are on the west side: West Shore, Wild Horse Island (only accessible by boat), and Big Arm. And, as of 2023, we are so lucky to have the Somers Beach State Park added to this collection of wonderful state parks on Flathead Lake.
There are no entry fees for Montana residents. Non residents can choose between day entry fees or an annual pass. For more information on fees, click here.
// Stay at Flathead Lake Resort for easy access to gorgeous hikes. //
Jewel Basin Trails
The Jewel Basin trail system in Flathead National Forest offers over 15,000 acres for your hiking and backpacking enjoyment. Here, you’ll find over 20 alpine lakes and 50 miles of hiking only trails, less than 45 minutes from Flathead Lake Resort, Bigfork, and Kalispell. With several trails starting from the Trailhead, and the majority of them very well marked, you can pick your difficulty level and and where you want to end up for your time “lost” in the woods. A few of our favorites are listed below.
To access the trailheads from Bigfork, take Highway 35 north to Highway 83. Head east on 83 to the junction of 83 and Echo Lake Road. Head north on Echo Lake Road about three miles to the Jewel Basin Road (No. 5392). Follow this road for about seven miles to Camp Misery Trailhead. The last six miles or so is a dirt road and can get a bit steep with a few ruts here and there. Although it is probably drivable for most vehicles, 4WD is always better than two.
Noisy Creek Notch Loop - This is a six mile loop with views of Flathead Valley below, access to two alpine lakes, and plenty of towering pines to keep you shaded in the heat of summer. With 1400 feet of elevation gain, it’s not an easy trail, but if you love hiking, and have a bit of endurance this is a trail worth every step. From the trailhead, you can start on Trail 8 for the first half. When you get to Twin Lakes, I recommend a short jaunt down trail 721 for a jump in one of the Twin Lakes or a picnic lunch before you head back down.
The last half of the hike is following Trail 7 which is officially part of the Jewel Basin hiking area. Trail 68 will bing you back to Camp Misery Trailhead. Trail 8 is not officially inside Jewel Basin, meaning you could encounter a mountain bike or two, but we never did, and with so many trails, we rarely even saw people.
// Hiking in Jewel Basin on Noisy Creek Notch Loop. //
Birch and Crater Lake - Birch Lake Trail is a 6.2 mile intermediate out and back trail (3.1 miles in and 3.1 miles out) with just over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The trail itself is pretty easy, with a few very steep sections heading both there and back. You’ll start at the trailhead following signs to Birch Lake and Trail 7. Trail 7 will take you all the way to Birch Lake. Bring a picnic or a hammock or even all of your backpacking gear as this is a great place for both a day hike or an overnight or two.
If you really like less people and more wilderness and beauty, head off two more miles on Trail 7. You’ll pass Squaw Lake and then come to Crater Lake. The trail head to Crater Lake is a bit overgrown and can be steep at times, but you’ll have your very own private island and all the silence only Mother Nature can give you.
// Camping at Crater Lake //
Mt Aeneas via Birch Lake Trail - If you have summit fever and love to conquer mountains on your hikes, then this hike is for you. 3.2 miles in and 3.2 miles back out, you’ll experience 1700 feet of elevation gain, most of it on the way in, but you’ll also experience the expansive vistas of the Flathead Valley below. And don’t forget the goats. Mountain goats! We haven’t seen any, but there are numerous reports of mountain goats along this trail, along with the wind. When summiting any mountain, the wind must be your friend. But at 7,528 feet the wind, the goats, the snow, whatever - it’s all worth the view!
Strawberry Lake
Strawberry Lake Trail leads to the #7 trail just north of Jewel Basin. It is rated as difficult at 1900 feet of elevation gain in a six mile out and back trail (three miles in and three miles back). There are multiple switchbacks and parts of the trail are very narrow and steep with sharp drop offs, although most of it is beautifully canopied from the surrounding forest. There can be a variety of users on the trail including hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and at times, off-road vehicles. The end result is worth the effort, as Strawberry Lake can make for a great way to cool off in the hot summer months.
To access the trailhead from Bigfork, take Highway 35 north to Highway 83. Head east on 83 to the junction of 83 and Echo Lake Road. Head north on Echo Lake Road for two miles to Foothill Road where you will turn right on Foothill Road. Follow this road for about 3.5 miles and then turn right onto Krause Basin Road. Drive just over three miles on Krause Basin Road to the trailhead.
// Stay at Flathead Lake Resort to enjoy many hiking trails near you. //
Glacier National Park
Being less than 60 minutes from Glacier National Park, we would be doing you a disservice to not mention the 700 miles of hiking trails in Glacier. For all the best trails and information on hiking in Glacier, be sure to head on over to the park’s official site. Once there you’ll find trail maps, up-to-date road access to the trails, and so much more. A few of our favorite hikes there are Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook, and for something a bit more difficult, the Iceberg Lake Trail which starts out sharing the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail.
For more information on entry into Glacier with advanced reservation tickets, click here for the scoop.
// Exploring some of Glacier’s many hiking trails. //
Dog-Friendly Hikes
All of the hikes listed above with the exception of most hikes in Glacier are dog-friendly. So, feel free to bring along your furry best friend(s), but please keep them on a leash. Not everyone likes to be greeted coming around a corner by a furry creature, especially in bear country. And please pick up after them. That’s a greeting nobody relishes.
What we do love is seeing everyone having a great time on the trails, dogs included.
Post Hike Rejuvenation
Now that you’ve exhausted your body and energized your soul, it’s time to enjoy some well deserved food and beverages. And in the Flathead Valley near Flathead Lake, there are plenty of choices for both. Be sure to check out all the places to grab a beer and some grub. Click here to start your very own Flathead Valley brewery tour and here to enjoy all the culinary delights, as well.
The Apps We Use to Get to the Trails
There are so many ways to find the trails that we all love. So many things to learn about them and so many pictures to explore along the way. A few apps that we use to help us get “lost” so we don’t get lost are:
What do you use? Let us know. The more resources, the better!
Now, Go Take a Hike!
- April