Montana · Hiking

Acorn Lake

3.3 mi
round trip
1,483 ft
climb
6,054 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Acorn Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Lolo National Forest.

  • East Fork Big Creek Road & Trail Closure- Superior Ranger District

    Agency alert covering Lolo National Forest · Order 26-003- · USFS · Lolo National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Lolo National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Acorn Lake is a moderate hike of about 3.3 miles on the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District of Lolo National Forest in western Montana, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 1,480 feet, from a low point of roughly 4,530 feet to a high of about 6,050 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July and August highs around 70°F with only about six wet days a month, while winter highs stay near 28°F. The trail is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. Nearby options include Dee Creek, about 1.9 miles away, and Sacajawea Peak, about 2.5 miles away. For an overnight stay, Gold Rush Campground is about 8.9 miles off, and Twelvemile Creek offers canoeing about 7.7 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Acorn Lake

    Best months: July–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      28° / 19°

      19 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 19°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      34° / 22°

      19 wet

    4. Apr

      40° / 27°

      17 wet

    5. May

      50° / 36°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      58° / 42°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      70° / 52°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      69° / 51°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      59° / 44°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      44° / 32°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      32° / 23°

      17 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 18°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mullan Pass Vor/Dme, ID, 24.1 mi away at 6,028 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.