Picnic Lakes
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)- 2.2 mi
- round trip
- 633 ft
- climb
- 6,781 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Picnic Lakes open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Flathead National Forest.
Camp Creek Fire Updated Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
FK&L Area Closed to Public Access Starting July 22, 2026
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
Trail 800 Tally-Ashely Closure
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
Ryan Creek Occupancy and Use Order
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 1-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
Logan Creek Hoke Creek Closure
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Flathead National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Picnic Lakes is an easy out-and-back hike in the Swan Lake Ranger District of Montana's Flathead National Forest, about 2 miles from the trailhead. The route rises from roughly 6,778 feet to about 6,781 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 633 feet, and the steepest stretch comes within the first third of the trail at about 16%. The trail is on natural surface, and the Forest Service manages the land. Bikes and horses are not allowed, so plan on walking. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from June through September. The trip takes about an hour, and the trail is open seasonally from June 1 to September 30. Camp Misery, a mountain biking area, sits about 0.3 miles away, and the Noisy Creek and Mt. Aeneas hikes are each about 0.6 miles off. For an overnight stay, Graves Creek Campground is about 6 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Rocky Mountain Outfitter18 mi away
- North American RV Park & Yurt Village20 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Noisy Creek
~1 min drive
3.77-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 894 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Mt. Aeneas
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Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Pioneer Ridge
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Peterson Creek Trail
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Camp Misery
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Switchback
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Alpine 7
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Black Lake
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Crater Notch
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Blackfoot Lake
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