Willard Creek

Willard Creek is a 4.2-mile out-and-back hike in the Helena Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana. The route climbs from a low of about 5,500 feet to a high of about 5,850 feet, with a total elevation gain of 168 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. The path is natural-surfaced and rated moderate. Bikes and horses are both allowed. The trail starts within a short distance of Tizer/Montgomery Park Gfa - Four-Way Jct Cua, a campground just 0.2 miles away, which makes it easy to pair this hike with a place to stay. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Tizer Gardens show July and August highs in the low 80s, while winter highs sit in the mid-30s with lows near 10 degrees. That station sits about 1,200 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. Nearby options include the Montgomery Park Trail, about 1.8 miles off, and the Casey Meadows and McClellan Creek hikes, each about 2.5 miles away. For climbing, Evening Rock is about 4.5 miles from the trail.