Montana · Hiking · Scapegoat Wilderness

Twin Lakes

4.6 mi
round trip
226 ft
climb
6,022 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Twin Lakes open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Twin Lakes is a 4.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Scapegoat Wilderness, part of the Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana. The trail rises about 226 feet from a low point of 5,813 feet to a high of 6,022 feet, and it is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is on natural surface. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The trail is open year-round. 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 in the low 40s, while winter highs stay near freezing. That station sits about 1,400 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. Bugle Mountain is just 0.2 miles away, and Mineral Creek and the Meadow Creek Cutoff Trail are within about a mile. Paddlers can reach the East Fork North Fork Blackfoot River about 1.3 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Twin Lakes

    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

      32° / 12°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 22°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 27°

      9 wet

    5. May

      63° / 33°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 40°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 44°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 42°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 35°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 29°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 20°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      30° / 13°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lincoln Rs, MT, 16.1 mi away at 4,575 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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.