Montana · Hiking · Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Buffalo Fork

Buffalo ForkPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
25.0 mi
round trip
2,152 ft
climb
9,668 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Buffalo Fork open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Custer Gallatin National Forest. It doesn't name Buffalo Fork, so check the source for the area it covers (14 listed).

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

Buffalo Fork is a hard hike in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, part of the Gardiner Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. The route is an out-and-back that climbs from about 7,500 feet to nearly 9,700 feet, with a total elevation gain of 2,152 feet over a 25-mile round trip. The trail is on natural surface and is open year-round. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land. Several other hikes sit close by. Tucker Creek is about 0.4 miles away and Hidden Lake about 0.6 miles. Telephone Basin is roughly 1.1 miles off, and East Fork Buffalo is about 2.8 miles away.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Hidden LakePhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Hidden Lake

~1 min drive

4.02-mile out-and-back trail to Hidden Lake in Montana with 103 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Tucker Creek

Next door

17.99-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,835 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

East Fork Buffalo

~5 min drive

2.69-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 582 ft gain.

HIKE

Buffalo Fork Trailhead (2N3)

~9 min drive

This is a remote trailhead at the northern boundary of the park that is not accessible by road. From this trailhead, you can embark on the following trail within the park: Buffalo Fork Trail

Telephone BasinPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Telephone Basin

~2 min drive

4.46-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 625 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Bull Creek

~2 min drive

12.57-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,992 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Elk Creek Cutoff

~10 min drive

2.7-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 571 ft gain.

HIKE

Buffalo Plateau Trailhead (2N2)

~11 min drive

This is a remote trailhead at the northern boundary of the park that is not accessible by road. From this trailhead, you can embark on the following trail within the park: Buffalo Plateau Trail

HIKE

Elk Creek Cutoff

~10 min drive

3.54-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,503 ft elevation gain and loss.

HIKE

Anderson Ridge Trail

~8 min drive

10.64-mile out-and-back hike in Montana with 3,739 ft gain and 9,337 ft max elevation.