Montana · Hiking

Dearborn River

11.8 mi
round trip
197 ft
climb
5,306 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Dearborn River open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Rocky Mountain Ranger District.

As of · Source: USFS · Rocky Mountain Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Dearborn River is an out-and-back hike of about 12 miles in the Rocky Mountain Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in western Montana. The trail rises roughly 200 feet from its low point of about 4,800 feet to a high of about 5,300 feet, and it is a hard route. The trail is a natural surface route, and the Forest Service allows horses. It is not accessible. Trailhead parking is at Dearborn TH, and the route is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. A nearby weather station records typical July and August highs around 81°F with lows in the low 50s, and the trail sits higher than that station, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Dearborn Alternate lies about 2.5 miles away, and Falls Creek, a paddling spot with a campground, is about 2.8 miles off. Eastside Falls Creek and East Fork Falls Creek are both within about 3.5 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Dearborn River

    Best months: May–October. 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

      36° / 17°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 16°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 23°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 30°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 38°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 45°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 51°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 49°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 41°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 32°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 25°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      34° / 18°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rogers Pass 9 Nne, MT, 12.8 mi away at 4,200 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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.