You find some of the best hiking trails with impressive views in the United States from Northwest Montana. The mountainous landscape and plentiful wildlife make hiking in this part of the country a real adventure.

The three most popular hiking areas in Northwest Montana are the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Glacier National Park, and The Jewel Basin. Are these areas only ones to look for in Northwest Montana? No, not by any means, but they are the three that we are going to take a look at this article.

1. Bob Marshall Wilderness

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, sympathetically known as The Bob, is often referred to as the “best” of America’s wilderness areas. You can easily hike a week or more there.

The area extends for 60 miles (95 km) along the Continental Divide. These high mountain lakes, crystal clear rivers, remote valleys and high, alpine meadows were set aside for protection – destined to remain forever wild and roadless in the 1960s. In the 1970s, the federal government added the Scapegoat and the Great Bear areas, forming a total wilderness region well over million acres.

There are four major access points to wilderness area:

  • Seeley Lake,
  • Blackfoot Valley,
  • Monture Creek, and
  • Swan Valley.

There are so many hiking trails within the wilderness area that there have been books written on the subject of hiking in there.

Remember, wilderness area do not allow motorized or mechanical equipment, including bicycles. Camping and fishing are permitted. Fishing requires a state license.

2. Glacier National Park

Hiking is popular in the Glacier National Park, and there are around 700 miles (1,150 km) of hiking trails. One way to see and enjoy beauty of the area is to take a hike on some of these trails.

You can do a short hike, a day hike, or an outspread backcountry hiking and camping trip. Guide and shuttle services are also available. Backcountry camping is allowed at campsites along the trails. To camp out there, you will need to get a free backcountry permit from one of the visitor centers.

Glacier National Park is a popular hiking destination but is large enough to accommodate everyone. Just like with the Bob Marshall Wilderness, there have been books written on hiking Glacier National Park as well.

3. The Jewel Basin

The Jewel Basin is least famous of these three but it is a bit more accessible, and it is also known for its hiking. Located within 30 miles (50 km) of the town of Kalispell, The Jewel Basin is relatively easy to access.

The Jewel Basin has almost 30 lakes and 35 miles ( 56 km) of trails. It is designated for hiking, with motorized vehicles and horses banned.

The Basin is located at the north end of the Swan Mountain Range, just east of City of Kalispell and west of the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

The scenery might not be quite as astonishing as in the two bigger areas, but it will surely make you gasp.

 

Hiking for soul

Hiking in Northwest Montana offers hikers almost everything that they want. Scenery, solitude, wildlife, exercise, and everything else that the wonders of nature can offer are available in gorgeous Northwest Montana.

Hiking helps you connect with nature and nurture your spirit, and it is about being in the majesty of nature. When you go hiking, you can think about the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Everything in Nature contains all the powers of Nature. Everything is made of one hidden stuff.”

The mountains of Northwest Montana most certainly offer a glimpse of that.