Montana · Mountain biking · Near Emigrant

Rat Lake Trail

5.3 mi
round trip
2,479 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Rat Lake Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name Rat Lake Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (16 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Bozeman Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Rat Lake Trail is a mountain biking route in the Bozeman Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back that runs about 10.6 miles, with a total elevation gain of 2,479 feet. The route starts at about 6,140 feet and climbs to nearly 8,000 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 32% grade around the 4.8-mile mark. Summer is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 78°F with lows near 41°F, and temperatures on the trail run cooler than that station because the route rises to higher ground. The Rat Lake Accessible hike is about 0.3 miles away, and Mica Creek Road offers more riding about 0.5 miles off. Spire Rock and Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout are both campgrounds within about 2 miles.

Around this trail

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

    Fr3114-16

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Blacksmith Italian

    Restaurant

    Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Emigrant
  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Rat Lake Trail

    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

      30° / 9°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 9°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 17°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 23°

      11 wet

    5. May

      58° / 30°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      67° / 36°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 41°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 39°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 33°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 25°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      37° / 16°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 9°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Sky 2wnw, MT, 13.1 mi away at 6,590 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.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors