Montana · Hiking

North Fork Spanish Creek

6.8 mi
round trip
484 ft
climb
7,670 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is North Fork Spanish Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name North Fork Spanish Creek, 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 Fork Spanish Creek is an out-and-back hike of about 6.8 miles on Forest Service land in Montana's Bozeman Ranger District, part of Custer Gallatin National Forest. The trail rises from a low point of 6,600 feet to a high of 7,670 feet, a climb of about 484 feet, and it is rated hard. The route is natural-surfaced, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not, so plan on a foot or horse trip. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July highs reach about 78°F with lows near 41°F, based on averages from a nearby weather station at Big Sky. That station sits about 1,000 feet lower, so temperatures on this trail run cooler. The trip is open year-round. For an overnight base, Spanish Creek Cabin is about 4 miles away. Sweden Creek and Placer Creek are each a little over a mile off. Beehive Peak, about 6.6 miles away, offers climbing.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit North Fork Spanish Creek

    Best months: July–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° / 9°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 9°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 17°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 23°

      11 wet

    5. May

      58° / 30°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      67° / 36°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 41°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 39°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 33°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 25°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      37° / 16°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 9°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Sky 2wnw, MT, 13 mi away at 6,590 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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.