Montana · Hiking

North Fork Parsnip Creek

6.0 mi
round trip
454 ft
climb
4,732 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is North Fork Parsnip Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Kootenai National Forest. It doesn't name North Fork Parsnip Creek, 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.

North Fork Parsnip Creek is a 6-mile out-and-back hike on natural trail in the Rexford Ranger District of Montana's Kootenai National Forest. The trail climbs from about 2,700 feet to roughly 4,700 feet, and it's rated hard. The most comfortable months for a trip are July and August, when typical highs reach about 80°F with lows near 40°F, based on averages from a nearby weather station at Olney. That station sits well below the trail, so expect temperatures on the route to run cooler. The trail is open to bikes. Parsnip Overlook lies about half a mile away and High Divide about 1.3 miles. For an overnight stay, Rocky Gorge Campground is about 2.5 miles off, and Peck Gulch Campground is about 3.6 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 North Fork Parsnip Creek

    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

      28° / 12°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 12°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 19°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 26°

      8 wet

    5. May

      63° / 34°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 41°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 33°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 25°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 19°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 13°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Olney, MT, 36.6 mi away at 3,165 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.