ギャラティン郡の天然記念物・トップ9

Great nontechnical hike to the summit of one of Bozeman's iconic southern peaks. A few stream crossings for filtration if you want to go light. Some steeper grades just up from the lake, but mostly very manageable grades, gorgeous views! Mountain goats were seen as well. Highly recommended.

Great alpine lake sitting in a cirque/basin at the base of Sacajawea Peak. The main access trail is a gentle grade of switchbacks to the lake's edge for magnificent views of the pristine lake and the dramatic mountains behind. There is a rougher rooted out trail that encircles the lake, and you can take the steps back up to the trail head, which is a "shortcut". Highly recommended! There are longer trails that access the lake, too, if you want a longer hike and better workout. Campground nearby, mostly just tents, since trailers can't be hauled up the rough access road.

At Missouri Headwaters State Park (30 minute drive from Bozeman) the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers converge into the Missouri River.

Fairy Lake is a high elevation lake tucked in the trees just below treeline in Custer Gallatin National Forest. There is camping close by and a trailhead for gaining access to Sacagawea Peak and Bridger Ridge. The reservoir stays frozen late into the springs and has a small nature trail that travels around the banks.

Grotto Falls is the first of many (nine named) waterfalls on the way up Hyalite Creek Trail towards Hyalite Peak. The trail leading to the falls is easy and wheelchair accessible, and you can even make your way down to the base of the falls to feel water spraying off of the rock walls.

Away from the crowds and offering a true mountain lake feeling, the two Bear Lakes sit just under 7,000 feet in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. If you are up for a big day and just want to see mountain lakes, you can combine these lakes with Mystic Lake and form a loop (or a point-to-point) starting from various trailheads.

Chestnut Mountain tops out at 7,627 feet. It has great views of Mount Ellis and other peaks in Custer Gallatin National Forest, and you can sometimes even see down to Mystic Lake. On the other side of the highway, you have open views of the Bridger Peaks and Crazy Mountains.

Fairy Lake is a high elevation lake tucked in the trees just below treeline in Custer Gallatin National Forest. There is camping close by and a trailhead for gaining access to Sacagawea Peak and Bridger Ridge. The reservoir stays frozen late into the springs and has a small nature trail that travels around the banks.