Blacktail Loop
- 14.8 mi
- round trip
- 271 ft
- climb
- 5,823 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Blacktail Loop open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Kootenai National Forest. It doesn't name Blacktail Loop, so check the source for the area it covers.
Kootenai Flood Event & Inaccessible Areas
Agency closure covering Kootenai National Forest · USFS · Kootenai National Forest
Updated Skillet Fire Area, Road, Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Kootenai National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Kootenai National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Kootenai National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Blacktail Loop is a 14.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Cabinet Ranger District of Montana's Kootenai National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 3,500 feet to a high point of 5,823 feet, with a total elevation gain of 271 feet. It is a hard route, and the climb is spread across the full length of the loop. The trail is open from May 1 to October 31. Bikes and horses are both allowed, and the surface is natural. Sylvan Lake Campground is about 2 miles away, and Willow Creek Campground is about 3 miles off. Spring Creek and Moose Peak are both within 3 miles for more hiking.
Local outfitters
- Kootenai River Campground49 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
Spring Creek
~5 min drive
2.84-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 287 ft gain
HIKE
Moose Peak
~5 min drive
5.14-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,775 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Silver Butte Ridge
~11 min drive
5.66-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,114 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
West Fork Canyon Creek
~15 min drive
9.71-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,786 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Elk Lake
~7 min drive
1.00-mile loop trail at Elk Lake in Montana with 407 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Bear Creek
~8 min drive
8.60-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,484 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Trapper Creek
~12 min drive
3.83-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 633 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Grouse Ridge
~12 min drive
1.23-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 451 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Grouse Creek
~8 min drive
5.92-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,214 ft gain.
HIKE
FISHTRAP LAKE
~12 min drive
3.72-mile out-and-back trail to Fishtrap Lake in Montana with 2,329 ft elevation gain