Montana · Hiking

Spotted Bear River

16.2 mi
round trip
354 ft
climb
4,269 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Spotted Bear River open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Flathead National Forest.

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

Spotted Bear River is a hard hike of 16.2 miles on natural surface in the Spotted Bear Ranger District of Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana. It is a long, out-and-back route with a total elevation gain of 354 feet, rising from about 3,744 feet to 4,269 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is not accessible. Horses are allowed, so riders can take this route on foot or on horseback. The trail is open year-round, and the closest neighbors are Red Creek, just 0.1 mile away, and Spotted Bear Campground, 0.3 mile away. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July and August highs reach about 82°F with lows in the mid-40s, according to averages from a nearby weather station at Swan Lake. That station sits roughly 1,200 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Winter is harsh, with January highs around 31°F and lows near 18°F. Other nearby options include Spotted Bear Lookout, about 1.8 miles off, and Lemonade Springs, about 2.3 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Spotted Bear River

    Best months: May–October. 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° / 18°

    2. Feb

      36° / 18°

    3. Mar

      45° / 26°

    4. Apr

      54° / 31°

    5. May

      64° / 38°

    6. Jun

      71° / 44°

    7. Jul

      82° / 48°

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

    9. Sep

      70° / 39°

    10. Oct

      55° / 32°

    11. Nov

      39° / 25°

    12. Dec

      30° / 20°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Swan Lake, MT, 14.7 mi away at 3,100 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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.

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