Montana · Hiking · Near Whitefish

Dam Loop

1.2 mi
loop
430 ft
climb
3,589 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Dam Loop open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Flathead National Forest.

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

Dam Loop is a 1.2-mile loop hike in the Hungry Horse Ranger District of Flathead National Forest in western Montana. The route climbs about 430 feet from its low point near 3,100 feet to a high point of about 3,589 feet, and it is rated easy. The trail runs on natural surface, and bikes are allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Hungry Horse Dam weather station show July highs around 82°F with lows near 53°F and only about seven wet days, while winter highs sit near 31°F. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the loop's high point, so expect it to run a little cooler up top. The hike takes about half a day. Lion Lake lies about 0.4 mile away, and Fawn Creek is about 2.7 miles off. For overnight stays, Emery Bay Campground is about 5 miles away, and Bad Rock Canyon, a climbing area, is about 2.9 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Mountain Meadow RV Park & Cabins

    Campground

    Campground · 1.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Great Bear Cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Glacier Fine Art

    Gallery

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Whitefish

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Dam Loop

    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

      31° / 20°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 20°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 25°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 32°

      12 wet

    5. May

      64° / 40°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 47°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 53°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 52°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 44°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 35°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 27°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 21°

      15 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Hungry Horse Dam, MT, 2.2 mi away at 3,160 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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