Top Outdoor Activities in Helena, MT
Outdoor Activities in Helena
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What travellers are saying
- April LRaleigh, NC11 contributionsMount Helena is a small mountain in Helena that has many trails to hike. From beginners to advance. We took the easier trail since I had a bad foot on our vacation and it was do able. The views of the city are beautiful from this mountain. We did not see any wildlife except for a few birds but it was a beautiful and peaceful hike.Written 29 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Becky DClearwater, FL24 contributionsIt's a short drive and beautiful drive from Helena. Recommend going on to Lincoln from this drive. Best to have a 4 WD, big holes in the drive to the top.Written 18 September 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rehoboth5Helena, MT509 contributionsWe live in Helena, and love Great Divide. I'm a telemark skier, and my wife is a snowboarder. We're retired, and have flexibility to go to Great Divide during the weekdays.
If and when the snow is good (it can be spotty), it's a great place for a relaxed day on the snow. Old lifts, limited facilities. But a true Montana experience.
One of the best things is that Great Divide's lift prices are pretty much unbeatable these days. When we feel like skiing/boarding only a short time, we can buy lift tickets for just two hours (they sell by the hour, 10 dollars per hour). Perfect. Compare that to $140 at Big Sky.
The vibe at Great Divide is friendly and relaxed. Rarely any lift lines. Few of the skiers or boarders have bad attitudes.Written 17 December 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - mtzennmasterKapolei, HI1,529 contributionsWe had a few hours on a blustery afternoon in Helena and were looking for a nice loop trail. We were told to check out the Mount Ascension Trail Head. There are at least a half dozen trails with multiple levels of challenge and distance. We chose to do the "Easy Rider Loop", a 2.3 mile easy climb through pine, sage, flowers, old mines, and pretty spectacular views of Helena and beyond. It was a great trail, well used by folks with dogs, folks on bikes, and us walking types too.Written 10 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robby G CToronto, Canada81,657 contributionsThe first thing we saw was the geese with their little ones.
I loved the mountains.
I saw lots of speedboats having fun with the river.
The beach was worthwhile for children and parents.
We hiked as well and found yellow flowers.
They have some shelters and picnic tables.
I liked swimming here.
A must see!Written 13 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Amy C1 contributionWe recently went to Montana for the first time and had an amazing experience with both the activities and lodging at Summer Star Ranch. We did both the half-day UTV guided tour with Star and a one and a half hr horseback riding with Matt. We loved the scenery on our UTV tour, saw a bull and other wildlife and learned fun history of the area from Star. They were able to be flexible on our start time and accommodated our interest if we wanted to stop anytime along the way. Snacks like chips and cookies and drinks were provided but we’d recommend bringing sandwiches if you wanted anything more substantial. The horseback riding was peaceful with gentle horses and more beautiful scenery within the Helena National Park. I felt very comfortable as a first time rider and would definitely do it again. We also stayed on the property for 1 night in their JW cabin. It had a comfortable bed, modern indoors bathroom and a fun outdoor shower and great view of the horse pasture. You can grill at the cabin or go to one of the restaurants that Star and Matt suggest….they gave great recommendations.
We loved Summer Star Ranch and hope to be back again!Written 7 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Rehoboth5Helena, MT509 contributionsI live in Helena (about 16 miles from the pass) and have skied the MacDonald Pass ski trails more than 100 times. The ski trail network is located just on the East side of the pass (heading West from Helena, turn right into the parking lot after you pass the Highway Dept facility). There is a parking lot there and a trailhead.
These trails are for cross country skiers only! No dogs, no snowshoers, no walkers. The Last Chance Nordic Ski Club maintains the trails. There is no charge to use the trails, but it's kind to make a donation to the club to help pay for the maintenance work. A team of groomers try to keep the trails in shape for both classic and skate-style skiing.
There's a variety of trails of different lengths and difficulties. Beginners should be aware that the first part of the trail (right from the trailhead) involves a fairly steep downhill.
Maps are posted here and there, and trail junctions are well signed. On one trail (Old Cabin) there is a small, three-sided leanto shelter. And on another trail there is an outhouse. There are no other facilities (no rentals, no patrol, etc). There's cell phone service from most of the trails.
Depending upon weather and snow conditions, skiing can be superb. Occasionally, moose are seen. In my experience, the skiers who frequent these trails are courteous and friendly.
Before going up to the pass, check the Facebook page of the Last Chance Nordic Ski Club, where trail conditions typically are posted. Officially, skiing on the trails typically begins December 1.Written 17 December 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JP-CruiseMississauga, Canada41 contributionsI took my first half day fly fishing excursion. John Henneman picked me up in the morning at my hotel. He was the best fly fishing guide. So patient the whole time and was an amazing teacher. I caught 4 fish including one big rainbow trout. The views on the Missouri River was also amazing. Garrett was also super friendly while speaking with him over the phone and promptly responded to all my emails. I would highly recommend choosing this tour operator for your next fly fishing trip!Written 25 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- lambroryBoise, ID72 contributionsAmazing experience for myself and my 12 year old. He caught 20 rainbow trout during the trip! Forrest was fantastic, and absolutely knew where to fish. We were provided a picnic style lunch up in the Gates of the Mountains with drinks. The boat was set up with a chair on front, and one on the back.Written 13 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- resqdivr88Helena, MT2 contributionsI’ve gone on about a dozen trips organized by Helena Scuba, as well as taken several advanced courses through the shop. You will never find people more dedicated to helping you immerse yourself in the U/W experience than Karen and Glen! Exceedingly competent instruction, a knack for finding exciting destinations, and making all of the arrangements - Helena Scuba does it all.Written 7 August 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jmtrout1Mishawaka, IN95 contributionsMy brother and I recently spent three days fishing the Missouri River with guides from Ten Mile Creek Outfitters, owned by Casey Phelps. The guides were absolutely outstanding. If you are fishing the Missouri River between Great Falls and Helena, Montana, they are the guides that you want rowing your boat. Casey and Chad provided the things that were important to me: 1) very full days on the river - fourteen miles of river the first day and twelve miles of river the second day - both different sections of the river. The third day, we fished The Land of the Giants - beautiful surrounding scenery in the canyon and loads of BIG fish. The Land of The Giants is an experience that every serious fly fisherman should experience. 2) recognition of my level of fishing expertise and accommodating the trip accordingly, with clear directions during our floats regarding the locations where fish were holding and excellent positioning of the boat so that both fishermen in the front and back of the boat had great access to fish. 3) lots of information about the Missouri River, its fish, the surrounding beautiful scenery, the Lewis and Clark's travels through this section of the Missouri AND 4) they put us on a lot of BIG fish!! So, if you are fishing the "Mo" between Great Falls and Helena, MT, connect with Ten Mile Creek Outfitters. You will get great service and BIG FISH and you won't be disappointed!!Written 9 September 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
