Montana · Rock climbing · Gallatin Gateway · Near Emigrant

Lava Pit

7 routes
V3 – V10
Bouldering
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Lava Pit open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Lava Pit is a bouldering area in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, part of the Bozeman Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. The Forest Service manages the land, and the climbing sits within designated wilderness. The area is a cluster of boulders rather than a single route. Seven bouldering problems are listed, all rated on the V scale from V3 to V10. Lava Lunge is the easiest at V3, and Gorilla Knife Fight is the hardest at V10. The routes include Lava Lunge Traverse (V4), Lava Lunge SDS (V6) and Magma Man (V7), with Monkey Knife Fight at V9. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Big Sky run to highs around 78°F in July and 77°F in August, with lows in the low 40s. Winter is cold, with January highs near 30°F and lows around 9°F. The closest neighbors are the Explosive Boulder and Carpenter Boulder bouldering areas, each about 0.1 mile away. Table Mountain is a hike 0.8 mile off, and the Gallatin River offers fishing about 1.8 miles away.

Around this trail

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  • Sleep close

    Hwy191-38 Mm60.2

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail

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

    Best time to visit Lava Pit

    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, 8.9 mi away at 6,590 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (7)