Montana · Hiking

Bear Paw

2.1 mi
round trip
849 ft
climb
4,617 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Bear Paw open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Kootenai National Forest. It doesn't name Bear Paw, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Bear Paw is a short hike in the Cabinet Ranger District of Kootenai National Forest in northwest Montana. The out-and-back covers about 2.1 miles on a natural surface. It climbs about 850 feet one way, from a low point near 3,770 feet to a high point around 4,620 feet. Despite that steady gain, it's rated easy. Bikes and horses are both allowed, and it is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable season. July and August typically bring highs near 78°F and lows around 40°F, based on typical averages from a nearby weather station in the Libby area. That station sits more than 1,000 feet below the trail's high point, so temperatures up high run cooler. Goat Ridge is the closest neighbor, just 0.4 miles away, and Wanless Lake is about 2.6 miles off. North Shore Campground and Marten Creek Campground, both within about 8 miles, offer places to camp nearby.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Bear Paw

    Best months: May–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

      30° / 15°

      14 wet · 12 snow

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 22°

      13 wet · 10 snow

    4. Apr

      52° / 28°

      12 wet · 5 snow

    5. May

      62° / 34°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      69° / 39°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 42°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 40°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 34°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 27°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      37° / 22°

      14 wet · 9 snow

    12. Dec

      29° / 15°

      15 wet · 13 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Libby 32 Sse, MT, 19.1 mi away at 3,440 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.