Hiking Near Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky sits at 6,319 feet in the shadow of Lone Mountain (11,166 feet)—the dramatic peak that anchors Big Sky Resort and dominates the skyline from every angle. The community is flanked by the Madison Range to the west, the Gallatin Range to the east, and the Gallatin Canyon to the north, with Yellowstone National Park just 50 miles south. With 42 trailheads within 50 miles, three wilderness areas, and direct access to some of the most spectacular alpine terrain in the Northern Rockies, Big Sky is a hiking destination of the first order. Summer brings the Lone Peak Tram to 11,166 feet for summit access without the climb, while hundreds of miles of trail through the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Gallatin National Forest, and Yellowstone backcountry offer everything from riverside strolls to multi-day alpine traverses. This guide organizes trails by distance from Big Sky and covers seasonal considerations. For the full community profile, see our Big Sky guide.

At a Glance

• 42 trailheads within 50 miles
• 283 recreation sites within 50 miles
• 3 wilderness areas accessible from Big Sky
• 3 state parks within range
• Closest trailhead: Big Sky Resort trail network, in town
• Closest wilderness: Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Madison Range), 6 miles
• National parks: Yellowstone (West Entrance 50 mi, North Entrance 75 mi)
• Ski areas: Big Sky Resort (5 mi), Bridger Bowl (50+ mi)
• Hot springs: Yellowstone Hot Springs (40 mi), Bozeman Hot Springs (45 mi), Boiling River in Yellowstone (70 mi)

In-Town & Resort Trails (Within 8 Miles)

Big Sky's in-town hiking centers on the Big Sky Resort trail network, which doubles as a mountain-biking and hiking system during summer. The resort's base area trails wind through meadows and forest at the foot of Lone Mountain, with wildflower-filled alpine meadows accessible via the Lone Peak Tram and the Ramcharger and Swift Current chairlifts. The Lone Peak Tram, operating in summer, whisks hikers to 11,166 feet for above-treeline scrambling and panoramic views spanning the Madison Range, Spanish Peaks, Gallatin Range, and on clear days, the Teton Range and Yellowstone Plateau. The Hummocks Trail, Moose Tracks, and the Uplands Trail provide moderate, family-friendly hiking through the meadow-and-forest landscape immediately surrounding the community, with wildlife sightings (moose, elk, deer) common in early morning and evening.

Day Hikes (8–30 Miles)

The Gallatin Canyon corridor along US-191 north of Big Sky provides access to dozens of trailheads on both sides of the highway. The Gallatin River carves through a narrow, forested canyon with trails climbing from the river into the Gallatin Range (east) and the Madison Range (west). Lava Lake (12 miles north) is one of the most popular day hikes—a moderate 6-mile round trip to a stunning alpine lake set beneath Gallatin Peak. Beehive Basin (8 miles) is a signature Big Skyhike: a 7-mile round trip that climbs through wildflower meadows into a spectacular cirque basin surrounded by the Spanish Peaks—widely considered one of the best day hikes in southwestern Montana.

Ousel Falls (5 miles from the Town Center) is Big Sky's most accessible waterfall hike—a 1.6-mile round trip on a well-built trail to a dramatic 70-foot waterfall on the South Fork of the West Fork of the Gallatin River. The trail is paved and family-friendly, making it the go-to recommendation for visitors with young children or limited hiking experience. Farther afield, Garnet Mountain (20 miles north in the Gallatin Canyon) offers a challenging climb with expansive ridgeline views, and theSpanish Creek drainage (15 miles west) provides access to the heart of the Spanish Peaks via trails that connect to the broader Lee Metcalf Wilderness network.

Yellowstone National Park

Big Sky is one of the closest communities to Yellowstone National Park. The West Entrance at West Yellowstone is approximately 50 miles south on US-191, and the park's interior is accessible for day-trip hiking from Big Sky. The drive through the upper Gallatin Canyon and along the park's western boundary is spectacular in its own right. Inside the park, trail options range from boardwalk loops at geyser basins (Old Faithful, Midway Geyser Basin, Norris) to serious backcountry routes in the Gallatin Range, Bechler River country, and the Yellowstone Lake shoreline.

For backcountry hikers, the park's northwest corner—accessible via trails that begin near the Big Sky area and cross into the park—offers some of the most remote and lightly traveled terrain in Yellowstone. The Gallatin Range within the park provides high ridgeline traverses with views of the Yellowstone Plateau and the possibility of encountering bison, elk, grizzly bears, and wolves. The combination of Big Sky's proximity and the park's vast trail network makes multi-day Yellowstone backpacking trips a realistic option for residents and visitors alike.

Wilderness & Backcountry

Three federally designated wilderness areas are accessible from Big Sky. The Lee Metcalf Wilderness is the closest and most significant—its Madison Range and Spanish Peaks units rise directly from the Big Sky area, with trailheads as close as 6 miles from the community center. The Spanish Peaks unit offers glacier-carved cirques, alpine lakes, and peaks exceeding 11,000 feet, with multi-day backpacking loops through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in southwestern Montana. The Madison Range unit protects the remote heart of the Madison Range, including the iconic Hilgard Peak (11,316 feet)—the highest point in the Madison Range.

The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (accessible via Yellowstone and Paradise Valley, 60+ miles) and additional wilderness study areas in the Gallatin Range expand the backcountry options further. The Lee Metcalf Wilderness alone offers enough trail miles to fill an entire summer of weekend backpacking trips without repeating a route—and the proximity to Big Sky means trailheads are reachable after work for overnight trips on long summer evenings.

State Parks

Three state parks lie within range of Big Sky. Missouri Headwaters State Park (60 miles northwest) marks the historically significant confluence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River—the spot Lewis and Clark reached in July 1805. The park offers riverside trails with interpretive panels on the expedition. Madison Buffalo Jump State Park (55 miles north) preserves a dramatic cliff site where Native peoples drove bison herds for thousands of years, with interpretive trails and sweeping views of the Madison Valley. Both parks make worthwhile half-day excursions from Big Sky.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring (March–May): Big Sky receives 300+ inches of snowfall annually, and spring comes late at 6,319 feet. Lower trails along the Gallatin Canyon begin clearing by late April, but alpine trails and the Spanish Peaks remain snow-covered well into June. Ousel Falls trail is one of the first to clear and makes a good early-season option. Spring runoff swells the Gallatin River and its tributaries—creek crossings on backcountry trails can be dangerous. The Lone Peak Tram typically does not open for summer until late June.

Summer (June–August): Peak hiking season. Alpine trails clear by late June to mid-July, with wildflower displays in the Spanish Peaks and Beehive Basin reaching their peak in mid-July. The Lone Peak Tram provides summit access for above-treeline exploration. Afternoon thunderstorms build over the mountains regularly—start early and be off ridgelines by early afternoon. Temperatures reach the mid-70s at the base area with cool nights in the low 50s. Grizzly bears are active throughout the area; carry bear spray on every hike.

Fall (September–October): Many locals consider this the finest hiking season. Larches turn gold in the higher elevations, aspens blaze in the canyons, and crowds thin dramatically. Daytime temperatures in the 50s and 60s make for comfortable hiking, and the clear autumn air provides the best visibility of the year. Elk bugling echoes through the Madison Range in September. Hunting season begins in October; wear blaze orange on national forest trails.

Winter (November–April): Big Sky transforms into one of the premier ski destinations in North America. Big Sky Resort's 5,800 acres and 4,350 feet of vertical offer world-class downhill skiing. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Lone Mountain Ranch trail system (30+ km of groomed Nordic trails) provide quieter winter alternatives. Backcountry skiing in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and surrounding terrain draws expert skiers. Yellowstone Hot Springs (40 miles south) offers a perfect post-hike soak.

Trail Safety

The Big Sky area is core grizzly bear habitat within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Carry bear spray on every hike, travel in groups, make noise, and store food properly. Black bears, mountain lions, and moose are also present—give moose wide berth, especially cows with calves. The high elevation (6,319 ft base, 11,166 ft summit) means weather changes rapidly; carry layers and rain gear even on clear mornings. Alpine terrain in the Spanish Peaks and on Lone Mountain requires route-finding skills and awareness of exposure. Cell service is unreliable on most backcountry trails—carry a map, inform someone of your plans, and consider a satellite communicator for remote trips into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.

For more outdoor activities, see our Big Sky fishing guide and the Big Sky weekend itinerary.