These 8 Backpacking Trips in Montana Will Prepare You for Anything

Montana is one of those places that still feels truly wild. Home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the world, it’s not exactly a beginner’s backcountry. The rugged alpine terrain, the bears, and the icy glacial fed waters sure are nice to look at, but require experience and grit to navigate safely. With well over 20 miles and thousands of feet of elevation gain for most of these adventures, it’s no wonder “grueling,” “epic,” and “challenging” are some of the common words used to describe them. If you can handle these, you can handle pretty much any trip into the backcountry.

1. Backpack Glacier’s North Circle Route (North East Section)

Photo: Adrien Patane

2. Backpack Granite Peak

Photo: Karissa Frye

3. Backpack the Triple Divide Pass Trail to Red Eagle Lake

Photo: Hunter Day

4. Backpack the Beartooths

Photo: Seth Langbauer

5. Backpack from Glacier NP to Waterton Lakes NP

Photo: Kathleen Morton

6. Backpack to Waterton Lake

Photo: Sam Patterson

7. Backpack the Beartooths via the Rosebud Trail

Photo: Derek Tice

8. Backpack the Continental Divide Trail in Glacier NP

Photo: Rob Witt

Cover photo: Adrien Patane