Montana · Hiking · Near Whitefish

Fire Lakes

0.4 mi
round trip
51 ft
climb
3,731 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Fire Lakes open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Fire Lakes is a short, easy out-and-back hike in the Fortine Ranger District of Montana's Kootenai National Forest, about 0.4 miles long and rising about 50 feet from a low point of 3,678 feet to a high of 3,731 feet. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and sits on natural surface, and it is open to both horses and bikes. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Olney, which sits about 566 feet lower, show July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the low 40s, while winter highs stay in the 20s. The trail is part of the Burnt Lake trailhead area, and the Burnt Lake and Smokey Lake hikes both start within a third of a mile. Climbers can find Mouse House about 2 miles away, and Stillwater Lake Campground is about 3 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Burnt Lake Ds

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Stillwater bar

    Pub

    On your way back · 11 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 Fire Lakes

    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

      28° / 12°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 12°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 19°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 26°

      8 wet

    5. May

      63° / 34°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 41°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 33°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 25°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 19°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 13°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Olney, MT, 8.4 mi away at 3,165 ft. The station sits about 600 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.

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