Anaconda sits at 5,335 feet at the foot of the Anaconda Range in southwestern Montana, 26 miles west of Butte and 120 miles from Missoula. The town is the gateway to the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness—158,000 acres of alpine lakes, 10,000-foot peaks, and Continental Divide ridgeline stretching along the border of Deer Lodge and Beaverhead counties. With 43 trailheads within 50 miles, the hiking spans everything from easy canyon walks at Lost Creek State Park to strenuous Pintler summit routes above treeline. Georgetown Lake sits 15 miles west with lakeside trails, and the Continental Divide Trail passes through the Pintler range just south of town. This guide covers every major hiking zone accessible from Anaconda. For the full town profile, see our Anaconda guide.
At a Glance
- 43 trailheads within 50 miles
- 10 wilderness areas within 50 miles
- 4 state parks within 50 miles
- 3 waterfalls within 50 miles including Lost Creek Falls
- 70 campgrounds within 50 miles
- Closest trailhead: Lost Creek Falls, 5 miles
- Closest wilderness: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, 11 miles south
- Continental Divide Trail: Passes through the Pintler range
- Ski area: Discovery Ski Area, approximately 20 miles
- Peak season: June through October (snow at higher elevations into July)
Local Trails (Within 15 Miles)
The closest and most popular hike from Anaconda is Lost Creek Falls at Lost Creek State Park, just 5 miles from town. A short, well-maintained trail follows Lost Creek through a dramatic limestone canyon with 1,200-foot walls before reaching the waterfall—a 50-foot cascade tucked into a narrow gorge. The canyon is home to mountain goats and bighorn sheep that are frequently spotted on the cliff faces above the trail. The hike is family-friendly and accessible to most fitness levels, making it the go-to outing for visitors and locals alike.
Beyond Lost Creek, trails near the Georgetown Lake area (15 miles west) offer lakeside walking and access to forested paths in the Deerlodge National Forest. The Stuart Mill Bay and Piney Point areas around Georgetown Lake provide gentle trail options with mountain views across the lake toward the Anaconda Range. These trails are particularly pleasant in early summer when wildflowers are in full bloom and the lake reflects the surrounding peaks.
| Trail | Distance from Anaconda |
|---|---|
| Seymour Creek TH | 15 mi |
Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness
The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness is the crown jewel of hiking near Anaconda. This 158,000-acre wilderness area straddles the Continental Divide with peaks exceeding 10,000 feet, over 50 alpine lakes, and some of the most rugged and remote terrain in southwestern Montana. The wilderness boundary begins just 11 miles south of town, makingAnaconda the closest basecamp to the range’s northern trailheads.
The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) traverses the length of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, following the ridgeline between the Bitterroot and Big Hole valleys. Through-hikers and day hikers alike tackle sections of the CDT for exposed ridgeline walks with panoramic views into both drainages. The trail crosses several 10,000-foot passes, including Rainbow Pass and Cutaway Pass, where the terrain is alpine tundra with wildflower meadows in late July and early August.
Popular Pintler destinations include Johnson Lake, Warren Lake, and Carpp Lake—glacial basins tucked beneath towering headwalls that hold cutthroat trout and offer world-class backcountry camping. West Goat Peak (10,793 feet) and Mount Tiny provide challenging summit scrambles with views stretching from the Bitterroot Valley to the Pioneer Mountains. Most Pintler trails involve significant elevation gain and remote travel—come prepared with maps, water purification, and bear spray.
Mid-Range Trails (15–35 Miles)
Beyond the immediate Anaconda area, trail options expand into the surrounding national forest and mountain ranges. The Stucky Ridge area and Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area (approximately 20 miles south) offer ridge hiking through open grassland and scattered timber with sweeping views of the Big Hole Valley and the Pintler Range. These areas see far less traffic than the wilderness trails and are excellent for solitude seekers and wildlife viewing—elk, moose, and mule deer are common.
The Racetrack Creek drainage (10 miles) provides access to trails climbing into the northern Pintler Range. Spring Hill and surrounding trailheads (11 miles) connect to an extensive network of forest roads and single-track trails used by hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Further afield, trails near Discovery Ski Area (approximately 20 miles) offer summer hiking on ski terrain with lift-accessed ridgeline options and views of the surrounding peaks.
| Trail / Trailhead | Distance from Anaconda |
|---|---|
| Storm Lake Trailhead | 16 mi |
| East Fork Trailhead | 20 mi |
| Carpp Creek Trailhead | 24 mi |
| Sawmill Gulch Trailhead | 27 mi |
| Moose Lake Trailhead | 28 mi |
| Middle Fork Trailhead | 29 mi |
| Falls Fork Trailhead | 29 mi |
| Blackfoot Meadows Trailhead | 30 mi |
| Red Rock Trailhead | 31 mi |
| Whetstone Lake Trailhead | 32 mi |
| Larabee Gulch Trailhead | 32 mi |
Wilderness Areas
Ten federally designated wilderness areas lie within 50 miles of Anaconda, an extraordinary concentration of protected wildlands. The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness (11 miles south) is the closest and most significant, encompassing 158,000 acres of the Continental Divide with alpine lakes, high peaks, and the CDT. The Lee Metcalf Wilderness and other surrounding wilderness areas extend the network of roadless terrain across southwestern Montana, providing seemingly limitless backcountry hiking options for multi-day trips.
| Wilderness Area | Distance from Anaconda |
|---|---|
| Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness | 11 mi |
| Welcome Creek Wilderness | 47 mi |
| Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness | 64 mi |
| Scapegoat Wilderness | 65 mi |
| Gates of the Mountains Wilderness | 72 mi |
| Rattlesnake Wilderness | 73 mi |
| Bob Marshall Wilderness | 85 mi |
| Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Spanish Peaks) | 91 mi |
| Mission Mountains Wilderness | 93 mi |
| Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Madison Range) | 98 mi |
State Parks
Lost Creek State Park (5 miles) is the premier state park near Anaconda, featuring a dramatic limestone canyon, the Lost Creek Falls waterfall, and regular sightings of mountain goats and bighorn sheep on the canyon walls. The park has a campground, picnic area, and well-maintained trail system that makes it an easy half-day outing from town. Additional state parks within 50 miles provide further trail options across the region.
| State Park | Distance from Anaconda |
|---|---|
| Beavertail Hill State Park | 41 mi |
| Spring Meadow Lake SP | 53 mi |
| Lewis and Clark Caverns | 56 mi |
| Fort Owen State Park | 60 mi |
Seasonal Guide
Spring (April–May): Lower-elevation trails near Anaconda and Lost Creek State Park begin clearing of snow by mid-April. Georgetown Lake area trails are accessible by late April, though the lake may still have ice. Trails into the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness remain snow-covered at higher elevations through May and into June. Wildflowers begin blooming in the valleys, and bear activity is high as grizzlies and black bears emerge from hibernation—carry bear spray on all hikes.
Summer (June–August): Peak hiking season. Most Pintler Wilderness trails are snow-free by late June or early July, though snow lingers on north-facing slopes and high passes into mid-July. Summer highs in Anaconda reach the mid-80s°F, but alpine trails are 20–30 degrees cooler with afternoon thunderstorms common above treeline—plan alpine hikes for early starts. Wildflower meadows along the CDT peak in late July. Wildfire smoke can affect air quality and visibility in late July and August.
Fall (September–October): Many locals consider this the finest hiking season around Anaconda. Crowds thin dramatically, larch trees turn brilliant gold in the high country in mid-October, and crisp mornings give way to stable, clear weather. The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness is especially rewarding in September before the first significant snowfall. Lost Creek State Park and lower trails remain accessible through October and often into November.
Winter (November–March): High-elevation trails are buried under snow and inaccessible for hiking. Discovery Ski Area (approximately 20 miles) provides downhill skiing, and the Georgetown Lake area offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. Lost Creek State Park is typically closed in winter, but lower-elevation forest roads near Anaconda can be snowshoed when conditions allow. Avalanche awareness is essential for any backcountry winter travel in the Pintler Range.
Trail Safety
The Anaconda area is black bear and mountain lion country. Black bears are common throughout the Anaconda Range and Pintler Wilderness, and mountain lion sightings occur regularly in the foothills. Carry bear spray on every hike, make noise on the trail, hike in groups when possible, and store food properly in the backcountry. Grizzly bears are less common than in northwest Montana but are expanding their range into the Pintler area—treat all backcountry travel with appropriate caution.
Cell service is unreliable beyond Anaconda proper and nonexistent in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness and most surrounding national forest areas. Carry a paper map or downloaded offline maps, and let someone know your itinerary for any backcountry trip. Weather at alpine elevations along the Continental Divide can change rapidly—snow is possible above 8,000 feet in any month, and lightning is a serious hazard on exposed ridges in summer.
For more outdoor activities, see our Anaconda fishing guide and the Anaconda weekend itinerary.