Montana · Hiking · Bob Marshall Wilderness

Sunburst Lake

2.7 mi
round trip
396 ft
climb
5,343 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Sunburst Lake 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.

Sunburst Lake is a 2.7-mile out-and-back hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, part of the Spotted Bear Ranger District of Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana. The trail rises from about 4,944 feet to about 5,343 feet, a climb of 396 feet one way, and is rated moderate. The route is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Lindbergh Lake weather station show July and August highs around 78°F with lows near 50°F and only about seven wet days a month. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet below the lake, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. The hike is open year-round. Gorge Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 2.6 miles away. Trickle Creek and Cannon Creek are hikes within about 4.5 miles. Van Lake campground is about 9 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Sunburst Lake

    Best months: July–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° / 16°

      19 wet · 17 snow

    2. Feb

      34° / 17°

      16 wet · 14 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 23°

      16 wet · 11 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 30°

      14 wet · 6 snow

    5. May

      60° / 38°

      14 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      68° / 45°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 50°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 49°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 41°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 32°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      38° / 24°

      16 wet · 10 snow

    12. Dec

      29° / 16°

      19 wet · 16 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lindbergh Lake, MT, 24.6 mi away at 4,320 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.