Take a Hike! The Big Sky area offers incredible hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. There’s no better way to experience the beautiful scenery and serenity of Big Sky than by hiking one of our many trails. With numerous trails covering hundreds of miles, there’s an adventure waiting for you! Pack a camera, water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, bear spray and snacks before heading out. A waterproof jacket can also come in handy as they say in Montana, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes."  If you don't have what you need, a quick stop into Grizzly Outfitters in Town Center will get you covered. Recommended Hikes Ousel Falls Park Trail Located less than a mile from Town Center, the Ousel Falls Park Trail is an enjoyable hike for everyone. It is easily accessible for all ages and abilities, has many benches and picnic tables along the way, is wide enough for passing or walking alongside someone, and is simply picturesque. The trail winds through a small canyon offering variations in environment and numerous interesting sites. Plant life, wildlife, and the falls themselves offer tremendous satisfaction for trail users. It is not uncommon to see people swimming, fishing, picnicking, reading, or taking their grandparents on a hike here. Although the trail is well used, it is quite easy to find a place all your own if you are in need of some personal time. Scenery: Distance: 1.7 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 378 ft Hike Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy Trail Condition: Well maintained trail Beehive Basin Trail Beehive Creek Trail is a nice little trail with interesting sites marked by nature education signs. It is a great trail for learning more about the area and really taking note of one's surroundings. The trail follows Beehive Creek, crossing it at a few points, and has several benches for relaxation along the way. In early summer, wildflowers of various colors and shapes blanket the ground--truly adding to the beauty of this trail. Scenery: Distance: 6 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 693 ft Hike Time: 2-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate Trail Condition: OK, but a few difficult spots Lava Lake Trail The reward of reaching Lava Lake is well worth tackling the somewhat steep trail. The hike to the lake is about 3 miles and should take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on the hiker. Plan on spending a little time at the lake for pictures and bring a sandwich for lunch. The trail does continue on if you decide you'd like to hike longer. The trailhead is approximately 15 miles out of Big Sky heading north towards Bozeman, just past the 35-mph bridge. Scenery: Distance: 6 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 827 ft Hike Time: 2-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate Trail Condition: Steep and rocky a few difficult spots A Sampling of Local Hikes listed by difficulty The starting point for all trail locations begins at the intersection of Highway 191 and State Road 64, often referred to as Spur Road. This is the road that leads to Big Sky Resort and has the only red light within a 20-mile radius. Beehive Creek Trail (Easy) A beautiful 1 mile private trail crisscrossing Beehive Creek and available for public use under the restriction of hiking only. Educational nature signs throughout. Location: Turn left on State Road 64, past Big Sky Resort to Beehive Basin Road. There is parking at the trailhead. Crail Ranch Trail #1 (Easy) A short 1.5-mile loop with much shade and openings for picnics and streamside views; very little elevation change. Location: Continue west; turn left onto Ousel Falls Road, then left onto Aspen Drive. This road leads to the trail sign. Crail Ranch Trail #2 (Easy) A leisurely 1.2-mile path with no gain in elevation tracing the historic Crail Ranch Meadow, original homestead is located off of Spotted Elk Road. Location: Head west, turning right onto Little Coyote, which leads to the Community Park. There is parking at the archway and the trail heads west. Ousel Falls Road Trail (Easy) This trail winds along Ousel Falls Road toward town for about two miles and is great for light hiking and biking. Location: Continue west and turn left on Ousel Falls Road. Follow this road until the trail sign. As this is a popular spot, there is ample parking. Porcupine Creek Trail (Easy) A Forest Service trail with many choices for distance and landscapes, a notable wildlife and flora area. Location: Head south two miles from Big Sky Spur Road and turn left at the Porcupine Creek trail sign; the road leads to the parking lot and trailhead. Elk Park Trail (Easy to Moderate) An old logging road spanning 2.5 miles with glimpses at the landscape below, great recreational loop when connected with Michener Creek Road. Location: Head south to Michener Creek Road and turn right. Follow the road to the gated turnoff on the left--this is the east trailhead. The west trailhead is further up the road. Middle Fork Trail (Easy to Moderate) A 6-mile gravel path connecting Mountain Village to Meadow Village. An easy bike ride or a nice hike for scenes of the mountain gully. Location: Turn left on State Road 64, past Big Sky Resort, take a left at the resort sign, then a right at the stop sign and follow to the Mountain Village Plaza. Park and access the trail. North Fork Trail (Easy to Difficult) A Forest Service trail intersecting with Bear Basin Trail after about 1 mile and Beehive Basin Trail at 5.3 miles and continuing on into wilderness. The trail is lined with dense pines and is frequented by wildlife--use caution between 8AM and 4PM due to horse traffic. Location: Head west past Lone Mountain Ranch to North Fork Road. Turn right on North Fork and follow the signs to the trail head and parking. Ousel Falls Park Trail (Easy to Moderate) An attractive trail winding through a pine-field gulch and making several bridge crossings, a nice trail for picnicking, picture taking, and gazing at the falls. The trail is approximately one mile. Location: Continue west and turn left on Ousel Falls Road. Follow this road until the trail sign. As this is a popular spot, there is ample parking. South Fork Loop (Easy to Moderate) The trail bends through Aspen groves that accommodate much elk and deer, various paths allow for one half to two- mile distances with a 200 ft. elevation gain. Location: Head south two miles and turn right onto Beaver Creek Road, park at the subdivision sign or along the road, the trail follows either Beaver Creek Road or Fortress Road. Andesite Trail (Moderate) A trail less traveled, this is a four-mile summer trail following ski routes and wrapping around the mountain base with scenes of the valley. Location: Turn left on State Road 64, pass Big Sky Resort. Left at the resort sign, right at the stop sign and follow to Mountain Village Plaza. Take the Pacifier Trail to the top of Andesite and follow the Big Horn run to Southern Comfort and then down to the base trail. Bear Basin Trail (Moderate) A Forest Service trail branching off of North Fork Trail and reaching wilderness at almost seven miles, fairly open with interesting landscapes. Location: Head west past Lone Mountain Ranch to North Fork Road. Turn right on North Fork and follow Trail 402 signs. Beehive Basin Trail (Moderate) A Forest Service trail stretching three miles before entering a wilderness and cast wildlife habitat, wonderful views of the basin cliff sides. Location: Turn left on State Road 64; pass Big Sky Resort to Beehive Basin Road. There is parking at the trailhead. Dudley Creek Trail (Moderate) A forest service trail meeting wilderness after about 1 mile, trail spans just over 4 miles one way and gradually gains about 2000 feet at Dudley Lake, meanders through dense pines and has few visitors. Location: Head north, to trail sign, turn left and follow the narrow road to the trailhead. Lower Beehive Basin Trail (Moderate) A nice connector trail leading to Beehive Basin Trail after 1.6 miles. Location: Turn left on State Road 64; pass Big Sky Resort to the Upper Mountain Fire Station turnout. Yellow Mules Trail (Moderate) A forest Service trail extending from the Ousel Falls Park Trail into a vast forest and eventually separating into two trails after about one mile. Location: See Ousel Falls Park Trail. Lone Peak Trail (Difficult) An advanced trail concluding at the 11,166-foot summit, extensive views and much exposure with little footing. Location: Turn left on State Road 64, turn left at Big Sky Resort, take a right at the stop sign, follow the signs to the Mountain Village Plaza and take the gondola to the top of the mountain (runs through September) you may also take the 2.5 mile Moose Tracks route or the service road to the top of the gondola, here you will follow the ridge line for 1.4 miles to the peak, a prompt elevation gain of just over 2,000 feet. YOU ARE IN BEAR COUNTRY! Many Grizzly and Black bears live in the Big Sky area, with some areas specified as protected habitats for Grizzly bears. Chances are you will never see a bear, but we do recommend people carry bear spray and make lots of noise when hiking. Hiking in groups of 2 or more is always a good idea.