Montana · Hiking

Mill Creek

22.2 mi
round trip
2,779 ft
climb
6,568 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Mill Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Bitterroot National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Bitterroot National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Mill Creek is a hard hike in the Stevensville Ranger District of Montana's Bitterroot National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. It is an out-and-back route of about 22 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of roughly 2,800 feet, taking you from a low point around 4,050 feet to a high of about 6,568 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July and August highs reach about 81°F with lows near 40°F, based on averages from a nearby weather station. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures up high run cooler. The route lies close to several climbing areas, including Mill Creek North Rim and Tiger Stripe, each about a mile away. Cow Creek and Sheafman Creek are also within two miles, and Blodgett Campground is about 3 miles off for an overnight stay.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Mill Creek

    Best months: June–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

      31° / 10°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 12°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 20°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 25°

      13 wet

    5. May

      61° / 32°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 37°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 40°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 38°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 32°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 26°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 18°

      13 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 10°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sula 14 Ne, MT, 37.3 mi away at 5,155 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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.