Montana · Hiking · Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Hellroaring

19.6 mi
round trip
1,044 ft
climb
7,355 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Aug
best months

Is Hellroaring open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Custer Gallatin National Forest. It doesn't name Hellroaring, 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.

Hellroaring is a hard out-and-back hike in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, within the Gardiner Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest. The trail runs about 19.6 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,044 feet, from a low point of 6,346 feet to a high of 7,355 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is on natural surface. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Cooke City show July highs around 74°F with lows near 39°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. Beaver Creek is a hike just 0.2 miles away, and Hellroaring Meadows and Brundage Creek are mountain biking spots within half a mile. Red Rock Plateau is a hike about 1.7 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Aug

    Best time to visit Hellroaring

    Best months: July–August. 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

      24° / 6°

      17 wet

    2. Feb

      29° / 7°

      13 wet

    3. Mar

      37° / 14°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      43° / 21°

      13 wet

    5. May

      54° / 28°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      64° / 34°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 39°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      71° / 38°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      62° / 31°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      47° / 24°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      31° / 13°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      22° / 6°

      17 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cooke City 2 W, MT, 21.4 mi away at 7,483 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

HIKE

Coyote Creek Trailhead (2N1)

~8 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: Coyote Creek Trail

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

Telephone Basin

~10 min drive

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

Buffalo ForkPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Buffalo Fork

~11 min drive

24.95-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,152 ft gain.

HIKE

Hellroaring Meadows

Next door

2.48-mile out-and-back trail to Hellroaring Meadows in Montana with 165 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Upper Hellroaring Trailhead (2N5)

~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: Hellroaring Creek Trail

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

Hidden Lake

~11 min drive

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

HIKE

Red Rock Plateau

~3 min drive

11.20-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,227 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Elk Creek Cutoff

~2 min drive

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

HIKE

Buffalo Plateau Trailhead (2N2)

~10 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

Beaver Creek

Next door

5.37-mile out-and-back trail at Beaver Creek in Montana with 136 ft of elevation gain.