Montana · Hiking · Near Whitefish

Star Meadow

3.4 mi
round trip
671 ft
climb
4,675 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Star Meadow 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.

Star Meadow is a 3.4-mile out-and-back hike in the Tally Lake Ranger District of Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 4,000 feet to roughly 4,675 feet, with a total elevation gain of 671 feet, and is rated moderate. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Olney put July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the low 40s, though that station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The trail is gravel and bikes are allowed. It is not an accessible route. Star Meadows Guard Station campground is about half a mile away. Sylvia Lake Campground and Tally Lake Campground are both within about 6 miles, and the Griffin Creek hike is about 4.7 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Star Meadows Guard Station

    Campground

    Sites open the weekend of Nov 13 on Recreation.gov
  • If it rains

    Dick Idol Signature Gallery

    Gallery

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Whitefish

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Star Meadow

    Best months: May–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

      28° / 12°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 12°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      43° / 19°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 26°

      8 wet

    5. May

      63° / 34°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 41°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 33°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 25°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 19°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 13°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Olney, MT, 13.6 mi away at 3,165 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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.