Stillwater Trail (# 24)
Stillwater Trail (# 24) is 26 miles long. The trail begins at Stillwater Trailhead and follows the Stillwater River for 3.25 miles to Sioux Charley Lake, a popular day hike destination. From Sioux Charley Lake the trail continues the entire length of the drainage to Lake Abundance. Elevation change: 3000 feet. The trail is open for the following uses: hiking, horseback riding. Woodbine Campground, Woodbine Falls Trail (# 93), and the Old Nye Picnic Area and Fishing Access are also in the Stillwater drainage.
*From September 11, 2024 to early October 2024, the parking lot will be closed as helicopters could make multiple trips a day to transport all the materials needed for bridge installation.
*Please be aware that travelling in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness comes with additional regulations. Please know what is expected of visitors before entering the wilderness.
Distance to:
- Sioux Charley Lake: 3.25 miles
- Flood Creek: 5 miles
- Tripod Hill: 6 miles
- West Stillwater Trail # 90
junction (Wounded Man Cr.): 11 miles - Horseshoe Creek Trail # 4 junction: 16 miles
- Lake Abundance Trailhead: 26 miles
Side Trails off the Stillwater Trail:
- Gorge By-Pass # 24 1 mile
- West Fork Stillwater # 90: 26.5 miles
- Horseshoe Cr. # 34 3.5 miles
*Because of the low elevation, the Stillwater Trail is usually one of the first snow-free trails, making it a good late spring, early summer hike.
** The first mile of the Stillwater Trail passes through a rocky gorge that is near the banks of the raging Stillwater River. For travellers on horseback, the Gorge By-Pass Trail offers an option to go around this section. It leaves from the trailhead and comes back to the Stillwater Trail after the gorge.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Type
Getting There
Directions
Directions from district office to Stillwater Trailhead:
Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles. Turn left (west) onto MT-78 and drive 30 miles. Turn left (west) onto MT-419 towards Fishtail. Drive through Nye and past the Stillwater Mine for 28.7 miles until you dead-end at the trailhead.
Directions from district office to Lake Abundance Trailhead:
Drive south on US Hwy 212 for 62 miles. Turn right (north) onto Daisy Pass Trail Road and drive 4.3 miles. Turn left (west) onto Forest Road 3219 towards Lake Abundance. Drive 3.1 miles to the trailhead. High clearance vehicles advised. Call Gardiner Ranger District for road conditions (406-848-7375).
