Speculator
- 19.5 mi
- round trip
- 3,703 ft
- climb
- 9,958 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Speculator open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Yellowstone Ranger District. It doesn't name Speculator, so check the source for the area it covers (13 listed).
East Fork of the Mill Creek Trail Bridge Stock Closure
Agency closure covering Yellowstone Ranger District · Order 01-11-04-26-03 · USFS · Yellowstone Ranger District
NFSR #1700 South Plateau Road Closure
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Summer Interim Travel Order and Map and Order # 01-11-00-26-02
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · Order 01-11-00-26-02 · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Winter Interim Travel Order and Map Order Number: #01-11-00-26-01
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Glacier Lake Road #2421 Closure Order Number: # 01-11-82-26- 01
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · Order 01-11-82-26- · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Yellowstone Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Speculator is a hard out-and-back hike in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, part of the Yellowstone Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. The trail runs about 19.5 miles, with a total elevation gain of 3,703 feet, from a low point of 5,694 feet to a high of 9,958 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced and open year-round. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The trailhead parking is named SPECULATOR, and the route is best suited to a long day or a multi-day trip with an overnight base nearby. Placer Basin is about 2 miles away, and Fourmile Cabin and Chippy Park are both about 3.5 miles off. The Fourmile hike lies about 3.8 miles from the trailhead.
Local outfitters
- Yellowstone Safari Company44 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)Meatrack
~6 min drive
9.06-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,031 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)East Rim of Natural Bridge
~19 min drive
0.66-mile out-and-back trail along the east rim of Natural Bridge in Montana.
HIKE
Trail Creek
~11 min drive
3.73-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 254 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Falls Creek
~11 min drive
9.53-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,782 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Fourmile
~7 min drive
Fourmile is a 14.85-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3011 feet of elevation gain.
HIKE
Upsidedown Creek
~17 min drive
0.30-mile out-and-back trail at Upsidedown Creek in Montana
HIKE
Boulder River-Great Falls Trail
~11 min drive
1.92-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,249 ft elevation gain/loss
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Green Mountain
~18 min drive
10.99-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,158 ft gain.
HIKE
Fish Creek
~18 min drive
5.65-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 817 ft gain.
HIKE
Silver Lake
~11 min drive
3.76-mile out-and-back trail to Silver Lake in Montana with 1,087 ft gain.
Also worth it near here
