Montana Mountains: Gallatin Range

With steep canyons, dense forest, dramatic waterfalls, and rugged 10,000 peaks, The Gallatin Range in Gallatin National Forest holds some of the best opportunity for hiking, fishing, and mountaineering in Montana.

Overview
These towering 10,000-ft peaks parallel the winding, trout-rich Gallatin River and US-191 between Big Sky and Gallatin Gateway. That means super-easy access to world-class fishing and hiking: just choose a highway pullout and step into the river or onto a trail – rainbow trout, 80-ft waterfalls, glacial lakes, and the petrified forest await.

Location/Directions
Just East of Big Sky, the Gallatin Range is accessible through trails all along US-191 between Bozeman and 15 miles South of Big Sky.

Seasons
Hike and camp year-round.

Activities

Hiking
Three miles south of Big Sky off of US-191, take the Porcupine Creek trail for an 8-mile trek to the magnificent Gallatin Petrified Forest. These trees were preserved in their upright positions, and after wandering through the 55 million-year-old forest, you can take a small sample for yourself (free permit available at the District Ranger Office).

Take the Buffalo Horn trailhead, 15 miles south of Big Sky off of US-191, for the 37 mile Gallatin Divide Devil’s Backbone Trail. On this multi-day hike you’ll backpack North through Gallatin Petrified Forest, along steep ridges, and to the top of 10,299-ft Hyalite Peak, ending at the Hyalite Creek trailhead.

On the eastern side of the range lie the volcanic cliffs of 80-ft Palisade Falls. Most take the paved, half-mile path from the trailhead off of Hyalite Canyon Road, 20 miles South of Bozeman.

Camping
Over 15 designated campgrounds are open May 15 - September 15 ($14 per night, call 1-877-444-6777).

Fishing
Fish 700 high mountain lakes and reservoirs year round and 1,740 miles of streams and rivers from the third Saturday in May until the end of November. The Gallatin River, just West of the Gallatin Range, has some of the best trout fishing in the country.

Ice Climbing
Some of the best and most consistent natural ice climbing in North America, Hyalite Canyon has over 140 ice climbing routes over the course of two and half miles.  That includes Winter Dance, what some climbers cite as one of the top ten sites in the world. Plus, it’s easily accessible - find these concentrated ice climbs right along Hyalite Canyon Road, about 5 miles South of Bozeman.