Whitefish
Whitefish Trail — North
🔷 Intermediate
🟤 Muddy — Stay Off
Singletrack loop system on the north side of Whitefish Lake. Mixed-use non-motorized trail through lodgepole pine + western larch. Accessible trailheads at Lion Mountain, Swift Creek, and City Beach.
📏 12 mi
⬆ 800 ft gain
🏔 3,050 ft elev
📅 May–Oct
🌧️ 60°F
· 0.18" 💧
· 8 mph 💨
Tomorrow: 🌧️ 60°F · 0.91" precip
MOUNTAIN IQ
44/100 — Poor
0.18" precip today — trails damaged by riding
⚠ Riding muddy trails leaves ruts that take weeks to repair. Come back in a day or two.
💡 North-facing aspects hold moisture — check Weasel Collar and Lion Mountain loops after rain. Swift Creek connector dries faster. Popular with all skill levels; laps on Lion Mtn are a local favorite.
🏛 Flathead National Forest · (406) 758-5208
Whitefish
Whitefish Trail — South (Spencer Mtn)
🔷 Intermediate
✅ Clear — Go Ride
South end of the Whitefish Trail system including Spencer Mountain loop. More exposed, south-facing aspects dry early. Connects to the full Whitefish Trail circumnavigation.
📏 9 mi
⬆ 1,100 ft gain
🏔 3,200 ft elev
📅 April–Nov
🌧️ 60°F
· 0.15" 💧
· 8 mph 💨
Tomorrow: 🌧️ 59°F · 0.87" precip
MOUNTAIN IQ
94/100 — Excellent
60°F — good trail conditions
💡 South-facing slopes dry 2–3 weeks earlier than north side. Spencer Mtn descent has loose shale sections — brake early. Best morning light in September.
🏛 Flathead National Forest · (406) 758-5208
⬛ Intermediate–Advanced
🟤 Muddy — Stay Off
Classic Bozeman MTB venue above the south end of town. Steep singletrack, technical rock gardens, and sustained climbs. Mix of Hyalite Creek drainage access and ridge views toward the Bridger Range.
📏 8 mi
⬆ 1,800 ft gain
🏔 5,200 ft elev
📅 May–Oct
🌧️ 54°F
· 1.08" 💧
· 15 mph 💨
Tomorrow: 🌧️ 50°F · 2.17" precip
MOUNTAIN IQ
20/100 — Avoid
1.08" precip today — trails damaged by riding
⚠ Riding muddy trails leaves ruts that take weeks to repair. Come back in a day or two.
💡 Leverich gets soggy in May — wait for the singletrack to firm up (usually mid-May). Rock gardens on the upper trail are rideable wet; the clay sections are not. Popular after work; arrive early on weekends.
🏛 Gallatin National Forest · (406) 522-2520
Bozeman
Gallagator Linear Trail
🟢 Beginner
🟤 Muddy — Stay Off
Paved + crusher-fine linear trail connecting MSU campus to the Museum of the Rockies and Peets Hill open space. Year-round commuter and fitness route — no mud issues. Low-key local staple.
📏 2.5 mi
⬆ 50 ft gain
🏔 4,900 ft elev
📅 Year-round
🌧️ 56°F
· 0.98" 💧
· 15 mph 💨
Tomorrow: 🌧️ 51°F · 2.21" precip
MOUNTAIN IQ
20/100 — Avoid
0.98" precip today — trails damaged by riding
⚠ Riding muddy trails leaves ruts that take weeks to repair. Come back in a day or two.
💡 Crusher-fine sections get icy in winter — use caution Nov–Mar. Links into Peets Hill open space for off-pavement riding on the south end. Great route to warm up before Leverich or Sourdough.
🏛 City of Bozeman Parks
Bozeman
Sourdough Creek Trail
🔷 Intermediate
🚫 Out of Season
Riverside singletrack in Sourdough Creek canyon south of Bozeman. Creek crossings, dense forest, and moderate technical challenge. Popular connector to backcountry trails in Gallatin NF.
📏 7 mi
⬆ 900 ft gain
🏔 5,100 ft elev
📅 June–Oct
🌧️ 55°F
· 1.43" 💧
· 13 mph 💨
Tomorrow: 🌧️ 50°F · 2.22" precip
MOUNTAIN IQ
0/100 — Avoid
Typical season: June–Oct
⚠ Check local conditions before attempting — seasonal closures may be in effect.
💡 Creek crossings are significant May–June runoff — check flows before heading out. Bears active mid-summer; make noise. Trail narrows and gets overgrown above mile 4 — machete optional.
🏛 Gallatin National Forest · (406) 522-2520
Helena
South Hills — Capital City Complex
🔷 Intermediate
✅ Clear — Go Ride
Helena's 80-mile singletrack network directly behind the state capital. BLM + Lewis & Clark NF terrain with exposed ridgelines, rocky doubletrack, and flowy flow sections. Some of the best all-season riding in MT.
📏 15 mi
⬆ 1,200 ft gain
🏔 4,200 ft elev
📅 March–Nov
⚠ Weather data unavailable
Looks good
💡 Lower elevation + south exposure = Helena rideable by March most years, making it one of the earliest-opening trail systems in MT. Prickly Pear and Dry Gulch drain fast. Upper Powerline holds moisture longer. Great trail infrastructure — well-signed.
🏛 BLM / Lewis & Clark National Forest · (406) 449-5490
Helena
Mount Helena City Park
🔷 Intermediate
✅ Clear — Go Ride
City park directly west of downtown Helena. 620 acres with 15+ miles of trail. Rocky, technical park riding with great views of the Beartooth Range. Excellent for before/after work laps.
📏 10 mi
⬆ 900 ft gain
🏔 3,900 ft elev
📅 March–Nov
⚠ Weather data unavailable
Looks good
💡 West-facing slopes make sunset laps a Helena tradition. Limestone gets slippery when wet — wait 24h after rain. Prairie connector loops at base good for beginner exploration.
🏛 City of Helena Parks
Missoula
Blue Mountain Recreation Area — North
🔷 Intermediate
🟤 Muddy — Stay Off
Primary MTB destination for Missoula with ~40 miles of maintained singletrack. BLM-managed terrain west of the city. Mix of flow trails, tech singletracks, and fast doubletrack descents. The Rattlesnake Wilderness adjacent.
📏 12 mi
⬆ 1,400 ft gain
🏔 3,500 ft elev
📅 April–Nov
🌧️ 55°F
· 0.26" 💧
· 9 mph 💨
Tomorrow: 🌧️ 58°F · 0.5" precip
MOUNTAIN IQ
32/100 — Avoid
0.26" precip today — trails damaged by riding
⚠ Riding muddy trails leaves ruts that take weeks to repair. Come back in a day or two.
💡 Blue Mountain dries fast due to ponderosa-dominated south exposure. April riding common in dry years. Rattlesnakes active June–September — watch sunny rocky sections. Great wildflower season mid-May. Dockins Mtn loop is the go-to half-day objective.
🏛 BLM Missoula Field Office · (406) 329-3914
Missoula
Rattlesnake National Recreation Area
🔷 Beginner–Intermediate
🟤 Muddy — Stay Off
NRA + Wilderness north of Missoula. Creek-bottom singletrack along Rattlesnake Creek transitions to high wilderness terrain. Bikes allowed only below the wilderness boundary — upper terrain is hike-a-bike + hike.
📏 10 mi
⬆ 600 ft gain
🏔 3,200 ft elev
📅 May–Oct
🌧️ 55°F
· 0.26" 💧
· 13 mph 💨
Tomorrow: 🌧️ 61°F · 0.41" precip
MOUNTAIN IQ
32/100 — Avoid
0.26" precip today — trails damaged by riding
⚠ Riding muddy trails leaves ruts that take weeks to repair. Come back in a day or two.
💡 Bikes only allowed below the Wilderness boundary — no bikes in the Rattlesnake Wilderness itself. Heavily used by hikers + runners; yield aggressively. Creek crossings can be hip-deep in May. Good wildlife corridor — bear/mountain lion country.
🏛 Lolo National Forest · (406) 329-3750