Nonmotorized Trails
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offer a variety of trails for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. Trail opportunities abound for day and overnight hiking on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, Humbug Spires, and other nationally designated recreation and historic trails. The Anaconda Pintler Wilderness, located 50 miles west of Butte provides primitive hiking and horseback riding opportunities to high mountain lakes and peaks. Contact the local Forest Service ranger district for additional trail opportunities Beaverhead-Deerlodge Recreation.
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST)
Beaverhead-Deerlodge Recreation
Butte is located at the headwaters of the Columbia River, just below the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, that travels from Canada to Mexico. From Butte, hikers, mountain bicyclists, and horseback riders can hike and ride one of the many trail segments that provide panoramic views of the Highland and Pioneer mountains, and the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. Geologic formations, lush meadows and lakes are other highlights along the divide. In addition, many of the trail segments take you through old-time mining and logging evidence from the mining history of Butte. You can see historic cabins, cord wood piles, and more. Some of the CDNST segments on the forest include: Trail 87: Homestake Pass and Pipestone Pass; Trail 125: Burnt Mountain (open to motorized use); Trail 92: Nez Perce (open to limited motorized use), and Trails 133 and 9 in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness (bicycles are not allowed in the wilderness).
Other local trails offer visitors great day hiking and mountain bicycling opportunities. Contact the Butte Ranger District link for more information on these and other trail opportunities.
Haystack Mountain
Butte Ranger District
Four-mile moderate to difficult hike, 15 miles north of Butte in Elk Park. Hike to an old lookout site with panoramic views of the Boulder River Valley and beyond.
Beaver Ponds
Butte Ranger District
Three-mile easy to moderate hike from Montana Highway 2, 10 miles south of Butte that connects to the Continental Divide. This is also a great mountain biking trail that connects with Montana Highway 2 at Pipestone Pass for a loop ride.
Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway Trails
Wise River Ranger District
The Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway begins in Wise River, 40 miles south of Butte, and continues south to Polaris. The route goes through the Pioneer Mountains. Along the route there are a variety of day hikes for visitors including Pattengail, Lacy Creek, and Gold Creek trails that access high mountain lakes and offer panoramic views of other mountain ranges.
Humbug Spires
BLM
Hikers and rock climbers are drawn to the spectacular scenery and challenge of the granite outcrops found in the Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area, located about 30 miles south of Butte. The three-mile (one-way) hike takes you to the largest outcrop nicknamed the “Wedge,” nearly 600 feet high.
Sawmill Gulch
BLM
For vistas of the Big Hole Valley, visitors can enjoy a 1 to 4 mile hike up Sawmill Gulch. Access is from the Divide Bridge campground on the Big Hole River, about 30 miles south of Butte. This is a good place to view wildflowers in early summer. Hike distance depends on the loop you take.
