Montana · Rock climbing · Gallatin Gateway · Near Emigrant

Crows Nest

6 routes
V2 – V4-5
Bouldering
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Crows Nest open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name Crows Nest, 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.

Crows Nest is a bouldering area in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest, within the Bozeman Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the surrounding land, and the climbing sits among several other named spots within a short distance, including the Road Slide Boulders, about 0.1 mile away, and the Rooftop Access, also about 0.1 mile off. The climbing here is all bouldering, with six routes ranging from V2 to V4 on the V scale. The easiest are Comfy Cozy at V2 and Wunderbar at V2+. The hardest are Ultimate Cave Dweller, a V4-5, and Dude Where's My Crimp at V4. The routes fit a range of styles and grades, so climbers can pick a problem that suits their level. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Big Sky show July highs around 78°F with lows near 41°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. Greek Creek campground is about 1.1 miles away, and the Lava Lake hike is about 1.5 miles off. The Pioneer Lakes Trail and Swan Creek campground are both within about 2.2 miles.

Around this trail

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

    Hwy191-38 Mm60.2

    Campground

    Campground · 1.1 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 Crows Nest

    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, 9.9 mi away at 6,590 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (6)