Bear Basin
- 14.4 mi
- round trip
- 3,822 ft
- climb
- 9,763 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Bear Basin open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name Bear Basin, so check the source for the area it covers (17 listed).
Hyalite Canyon South Road #620 Closure
Agency closure covering Bozeman Ranger District · Order 01-11-06-27-03 · USFS · Bozeman Ranger District
Sourdough/Bozeman Creek Trailhead and Trail Closure
Agency closure covering Bozeman Ranger District · Order 01-11-06-27-02 · USFS · Bozeman Ranger District
NFSR #1700 South Plateau Road Closure
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Storm Castle Creek Trail #185 Temporarily Closed Due to Storm Damage
Agency closure covering Bozeman Ranger District · Order 01-11-06-26-07 · USFS · Bozeman Ranger District
Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Summer Interim Travel Order and Map and Order # 01-11-00-26-02
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · Order 01-11-00-26-02 · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Bozeman Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Bear Basin is a hard, out-and-back hike of about 14.4 miles in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest, within the Bozeman Ranger District. It rises from a low point of 7,110 feet to a high point of 9,763 feet, with an elevation gain of 3,822 feet. The trail is managed by the Forest Service, and the route is on natural surface. Horses are allowed. The trip starts at the North Fork parking area and is open year-round. The North Fork Tie trail begins just 0.1 mile away, and North Fork Ridge is about 0.8 mile off. Nearby, Beehive Peak offers climbing about 3.4 miles away, and the West Fork Gallatin River is about 5.1 miles away for canoeing. Yellow Mule Cabin and Spanish Creek Cabin sit roughly 9 miles from the trailhead.
Local outfitters
- Yellowstone Safari Company31 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Monica's Dad, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Coolridge
~5 min drive
6.16-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,043 ft elevation gain
Photo: schvin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Lodge Loop
~5 min drive
3.94-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 893 ft elevation gain and loss.
Photo: schvin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Elkhorn Loop
~5 min drive
1.96-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 987 ft elevation gain
HIKE
North Fork Hellroaring
~12 min drive
11.66-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,113 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Monica's Dad, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Mountain to Meadow
~5 min drive
9.08-mile out-and-back in Montana with 3,270 ft gain/loss
Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Ranch Loop
~7 min drive
0.74-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 168 ft elevation gain.
Photo: senatortester, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Mountain to Meadow
~6 min drive
1.14-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,119 ft gain/loss
HIKE
JACK CREEK
~14 min drive
17.08-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,918 ft elevation gain
Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Deer Creek
~13 min drive
16.42-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,127 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Crail Ranch Trail
~8 min drive
1.16-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 174 ft gain and 6,285 ft max elevation.