Helena National Forest
Helena National Forest
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
This forest affords easy viewing of many different types of wildlife because of its proximity to the city.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
36 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
9
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
SteveVPhoenix
Phoenix, AZ34 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
What more do you want? First, hike up a mountain right from downtown and then come back for a fresh, cold beer at the quaint local Black Foot River Brewing Co.!
Written 30 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moondancertravel
Miles City, MT13 contributions
Jul 2013 • Business
I driven through, picnic, and hiked a few times, but plan to come back when I can spend more time and do some fishing and camping. Absolutely beautiful from the mountain.
Written 4 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CATTSAR
Provincetown, MA22,616 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
Driving along MT 200 between Great Falls and Missoula the road winds through Helena National Forest. The scenery is beautiful as you navigate the twist and turns. The elevation gain is enough that there is still patches of snow. As an added attraction you drive over the Continental Divide and Roger's Pass. The pass is infamous for having recorded the lowest temperature in the continental U.S., some minus 70. The views are breathtaking making the ride very enjoyable.
Written 9 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabe E
Cle Elum, WA783 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
Mountain biking in the Helena National Forest is fantastic. Today, my first time here, I went on two ride totaling over 20 miles and didn't even scratch the surface of well marked and categorized as to difficulty trails.
For the first ride I caught a free shuttle from Women's Mural park in town which took a whole buss load of riders and hikers to the Helena Ridge Trailhead which ended up right back in town.
Loving the first ride so much I decided to haul myself back up Grizzly Gulch for a second more difficult ride on the Walkina Ridge / Stairway To Heaven Trail and then down the hill through Uniontown back to my truck.
Great day of riding for sure.
For the first ride I caught a free shuttle from Women's Mural park in town which took a whole buss load of riders and hikers to the Helena Ridge Trailhead which ended up right back in town.
Loving the first ride so much I decided to haul myself back up Grizzly Gulch for a second more difficult ride on the Walkina Ridge / Stairway To Heaven Trail and then down the hill through Uniontown back to my truck.
Great day of riding for sure.
Written 27 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GreshamClan
Valparaiso, FL85 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
Amazing views of mountains and lakes! We took the family to swim in Cannon Ferry Lake. We saw mountain goats, deer, hawks and antelope.
Written 4 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah R
Helena, MT1 contribution
Apr 2020
It’s April 25, 2020 and my kids and I just returned from the Trout Creek Canyon hike! Thank you for the recommendation! What spectacular geology! One section of the trail was like a fairy forest, in which the trees were draped in hanging moss. A large part of the trail had thick green moss covering the rocky cliffs alongside, which is pretty special to see in Montana, east of Helena. The entire trail follows an interesting stream that meanders amusingly every which way. I love water and moist forests, so I was in my element! We did have to cross the stream multiple times that required balancing on rocks and wet logs, or just leaping and getting wet shoes. I'm a not-so-in-shape 58-year-old and there were a couple of funny moments of stream crossing for me (got on video, of course, for repeated humiliation far into the future!). My daughters, especially my 18-year-old, navigated the stream and the hike much better. The only wildlife we saw was a rock climber :). No flowers yet, but there was a lovely pussy willow bush! We made it to the end (3 miles each way) in a total of 4 hours, but the trail ends anti-climatically, at a corral with bad energy, in my opinion. We all agreed that the first half of the hike is the best. If you turn around just before the path veers upward to the left and turns stony, you've won't have missed much unless you’re the kind that can't pass up a challenge. The first 1/2 mile or so would easily accommodate a wheelchair. When I got home, I crawled into a hot epsom salt bath, relieved that it was over, but grateful that I went.
Written 25 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Derek S
Loveland, Colorado, Usa40 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
I took some time out of a business trip to Helena, MT to take my family to the mountains. A short drive and we were in the middle of national forest. Not only are the mountains great it was a nice break from business. If only I had my bow and a big game license.
Written 5 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CAP2278
Helena, MT6 contributions
There isn't much to say except how beautiful this place is. What a great experience! My family never gets tired of this place...
Written 16 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J. A
Pocatello, ID123 contributions
Aug 2014 • Business
Checked out the National Forest along Hwy 12 west of Helena. Stopped at the top of the mountain pass, beautiful views of the valleys and wildlife everywhere. Lots of deer, and large birds. Great time spent walking/hiking around.
Written 4 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VW1012
Great Falls, MT109 contributions
Nov 2012
My family and I have spent a lot of time in the forest. There is something to do all year round. We hunt, fish, camp, hike, snowshoe, and just go there to relax. There are plenty of camp sites or we like to find a small stream and camp there.Keep your camp safe and watch out for bears.
Written 20 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you accept the National Parks America the Beautiful permanent disability pass.
Written 5 July 2016
Do you accept the National Parks America the beautiful permanent disability pass?
Written 4 July 2016
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