Montana · Hiking

Rock Creek

21.4 mi
round trip
2,369 ft
climb
6,712 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Rock Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Bitterroot National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Bitterroot National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Rock Creek is a hard hike on natural trail in the Darby Ranger District of Montana's Bitterroot National Forest. The route is 21.4 miles long and rises from 4,340 feet to 6,712 feet, a climb of 2,369 feet one way. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trailhead is at Little Rock Creek. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 81°F with lows near 40°F and the fewest wet days of the year. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the high ground run cooler. Nearby options include the Little Rock Creek and Waddel Creek Trail hikes, Tin Cup Overlook, and Three Frogs Campground.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Rock Creek

    Best months: June–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

      31° / 10°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 12°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 20°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 25°

      13 wet

    5. May

      61° / 32°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 37°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 40°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 38°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 32°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 26°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 18°

      13 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 10°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sula 14 Ne, MT, 28.5 mi away at 5,155 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.