Montana · Hiking

Iron Meadows

7.9 mi
round trip
1,644 ft
climb
4,686 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 11 h ago

Is Iron Meadows open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Iron Meadows is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Libby Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest in northern Montana. The trail starts at about 3,583 feet and climbs to a high point of 4,686 feet, a gain of 1,644 feet over the course of the 7.9-mile round trip. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open from May 1 through November 30. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Libby run to highs around 78°F in July and August, with lows in the low 40s and few wet days. That station sits about 1,200 feet lower than the high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes. Waloven Tie lies just 0.3 miles away and Bear Lakes about 0.7 miles. For an overnight stay, Lake Creek Campground is 5.2 miles off, and the Silver Butte Fisher River offers canoeing about 2.2 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Iron Meadows

    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

      30° / 15°

      14 wet · 12 snow

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 22°

      13 wet · 10 snow

    4. Apr

      52° / 28°

      12 wet · 5 snow

    5. May

      62° / 34°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      69° / 39°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 42°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 40°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 34°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 27°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      37° / 22°

      14 wet · 9 snow

    12. Dec

      29° / 15°

      15 wet · 13 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Libby 32 Sse, MT, 11.8 mi away at 3,440 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.