Montana · Hiking

Copeland

5.1 mi
round trip
179 ft
climb
4,423 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Copeland open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Kootenai National Forest. It doesn't name Copeland, 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.

Copeland is a moderate hike of about 5 miles in the Rexford Ranger District of Montana's Kootenai National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 180 feet, starting at roughly 3,250 feet and reaching about 4,420 feet at the high point. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 81°F with lows in the low 40s, while winter highs stay in the 20s. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surface trail. The closest neighbors are the East Pipe/Big Creek Snowmobl hike, about a mile away, and Pinto Point and North Fork Big Creek, each a little over 2 miles off. For an overnight base, Big Creek Baldy Lookout Rental is about 7.5 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Copeland

    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

      29° / 14°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      36° / 14°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 22°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 27°

      11 wet

    5. May

      65° / 35°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 41°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 43°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 42°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 35°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 28°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 21°

      13 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 15°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yaak 9nne, MT, 15.7 mi away at 3,085 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.