Montana · Hiking · Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Hidden Lake

Hidden LakePhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
4.0 mi
round trip
103 ft
climb
7,741 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Aug
best months

Is Hidden Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Hidden Lake is a 4-mile out-and-back hike in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, within the Gardiner Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and runs on natural surface, with a total elevation gain of about 100 feet from a low point of 7,648 feet to a high of 7,741 feet. It is a moderate route, and horses are allowed. 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. The hike is open year-round, and the trailhead sits within the wilderness. Several other hikes start close by, including Tucker Creek about half a mile away and Buffalo Fork at 0.6 miles. Telephone Basin is about a mile off, and Bull Creek is roughly 1.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Aug

    Best time to visit Hidden Lake

    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, 14.9 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

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

Telephone Basin

~2 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

~1 min drive

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

HIKE

East Fork Buffalo

~6 min drive

2.69-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 582 ft gain.

HIKE

Buffalo Fork Trailhead (2N3)

~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: Buffalo Fork Trail

HIKE

Slough Creek Trail

~13 min drive

Scenic out-and-back creek hike through Wyoming forest and meadows.

HIKE

Buffalo Butte Trail

~10 min drive

6.88-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,264 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Tucker Creek

Next door

17.99-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,835 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Tucker Creek

~9 min drive

2.18-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 89 ft of elevation 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

Anderson Ridge

~10 min drive

7.55-mile out-and-back trail on Anderson Ridge in Montana with 2,232 ft gain.