Camping,
Hiking and Traveling in Montana
MontanaHikes.com
MontanaHikes.com
Hike Index
H=Hike
C=Camp
V=Visit S=SkiLivingston Area
George Lake H
Crow Mountain H
Pine Creek H,C
S. Fk. Deep Creek H
Elephanthead Mtn. H
Big Timber Area
Boulder River H,C,V
Natural Bridge Falls H,C,V
Big Timber Creek Falls H,C,V
Twin Lakes H,C
Bozeman Area
Chestnut Mountain H
Goose Creek H,S
Mystic Lake H
Central Montana
Little Belt Mountains H,C,V,S
Castle Mountains H,C
Central MT Railroading V
Crystal Lake H,C,V
Judith Mountains V
Judith Gap Wind Farm V
Moccasin Mountains V
Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness
Anvil Lake H,C
Kings Hill and the
Little Belt Mountains
I highly recommend that if you want to visit this area you obtain a copy of the Lewis and Clark National Forest travel map. These maps do a great job of giving you trailhead information showing you road in leading you to ideas of where you might go seek recreation. Another great map option is the Montana Atlas & Gazetteer
which contains topographic maps of the entire state.At the top of Kings Hill Pass you will find the Showdown Ski Area. A great local ski area, Showdown offers excellent uncrowded skiing. If you plan to ski at Showdown make sure to check in advance as the slopes are only open a few days a week. Just to the North of the ski area entrance is the Kings Hill Winter Recreation Area. This is a hugely popular snowmobile area which provides access to more than 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.
There are many
parks and open grassy areas in the Little Belt Mountains. Some of these
parks are very large while others little more than large clearings. Be
sure to look carefully for all types of wildlife in these areas.
Driving these secondary roads into the Lewis & Clark Forest will give you access to many different hiking, biking, fishing and camping opportunities. The roads are clearly marked on all good maps and it is easy to plot a route through the forest. Much of the camping on the Lewis and Clark Forest is done in undeveloped campsites that are found in many areas along these roads. There is a lot of wildlife in the hills and mountains you are driving through and a careful observer will find much of interest.
In the fall you will often find hunters camped in the natural parks in the higher areas of the Little Belts. Elk and deer hunting in the Belts is excellent and both archery and rifle hunters are common in the fall. Be sure to be aware of hunting seasons as many hikers prefer to limit their outings when hunters are in the hills.
A pair of sandhill cranes in a small open park in the Little Belt Mountains.
Montana's famous Smith River has its headwaters in the Little Belts. It drains all of the southern and western sections of the mountains while the Judith River drains the eastern slopes and the northern sections run into Belt Creek. All of these rivers are fed by a lot of smaller streams and anglers will find a lot of fishing opportunities. A quick look at the map will show you the many streams available.
Belt Creek is runs roughly parallel to US89 beginning near Kings Hill and running North toward the Missouri. Belt Creek cuts a deep steep walled canyon through the area which has been preserved as the Sluice Boxes State Park. The canyon has a rich human history as at one time there was a rail line running through the canyon, hauling ore from the mines int he mountains. It is possible to hike the length of the canyon but it requires multiple fordings of the creek which is impossible at high water levels. Be sure to check for more information before you attempt to hike or float through Belt Creek Canyon and the Sluice Boxes State Park.
There is a lot of great exploring to be done in the Little Belts and around Kings Hill. Get a good map and learn what the various symbols and indicators are and go explore. You will find a diversity of habitat and experience that will really make you glad you visited.
Montanahikes.com
- your source for reliable information about hiking camping and
traveling in Montana!