Montana · Hiking

North Cottonwood

North CottonwoodPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
22.4 mi
round trip
4,024 ft
climb
8,977 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is North Cottonwood open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name North Cottonwood, so check the source for the area it covers (16 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Bozeman Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

North Cottonwood is a hard hike in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest, within the Bozeman Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back of about 22.4 miles with a total elevation gain of 4,024 feet, rising from a low point of about 6,000 feet to a high point of nearly 9,000 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is open year-round. Bikes and horses are both allowed, and the surface is natural. The climb is a long, steep one, so plan on a full day and expect the high point to feel far above the starting point. North Cottonwood Access sits about 1.4 miles away. The Bridger Range climbing area is about 1.6 miles off, and Johnson Canyon and Felix Canyon are within about 3 miles. Fairy Lake campground is about 4.3 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

North Cottonwood AccessPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

North Cottonwood Access

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4.12-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 867 ft gain.

Fairy LakeshorePhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Shafthouse HillPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Shafthouse Hill

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Fairy Creek TrailPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Sacagawea PassPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Raptor View NorthPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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East Bridger SouthPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

East Bridger South

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HIKE

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25.44-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 4,227 ft elevation gain and 7,943 ft max elevation.

Ross Pass TrailPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ross Pass Trail

~14 min drive

4.8-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,228 ft gain/loss.

Meadow Loop (North)Photo: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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~17 min drive

0.6-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 90 ft elevation gain.