Montana · Hiking

Murphy Lake

0.7 mi
loop
104 ft
climb
3,136 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Murphy Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Murphy Lake is a short, easy hike in the Fortine Ranger District of Montana's Kootenai National Forest, about 0.67 miles long and roughly 104 feet of elevation gain. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is a loop with a natural surface. Bikes are allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Fortine show July highs around 84°F with lows near 50°F, while winter highs stay in the low 30s. Martin Lake and Hagadore Lake are both about a mile away. North Dickey Lake campground is about 1.9 miles off, and Fortine Creek offers canoeing about 5.4 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 Murphy Lake

    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° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 19°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 25°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      56° / 31°

      7 wet

    5. May

      68° / 38°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 45°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 50°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 47°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 40°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 31°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 25°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 17°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Fortine 1 N, MT, 3.2 mi away at 3,000 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.