Horse Riding and Camping

The Flathead National Forest offers a multitude of trails for horseback riders including front country, backcountry, and wilderness experiences.

Trail etiquette for multiple use trails calls for horses to have the right-of-way. Hikers should yield to horses. Bicyclists should yield to horses and hikers. Horse riders are responsible for the control of their horse at all times.

Many trails are open to multiple non-motorized uses, meaning the trails are shared by hikers, horse riders, and bicyclists.

Before you embark on your equestrian adventure, make sure to check the national forest guidelines for horseback riding, including trail access, camping with horses,

and leave-no-trace principles. Ensuring your horse is trail-ready and respectful of the natural environment is essential for a safe and enjoyable ride.

Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Required on All Public Lands in Montana
Weed seed free hay is required on all Forest Service lands in Region One and on all public lands in Montana. Weed seed free hay bales are identified by color of twine (often orange and blue), or certification tag. It is recommended that horses coming to forest lands are fed weed seed free hay for three days in advance. Visit our alerts page and the Montana Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage page for specific information. 

Horseback Riding

Front Country Suggested Rides

• Elk Mountain Trail (#252) 10 miles - Tally Lake District
• Round Meadow Trails (#45) 12 miles -Tally Lake District
• South Fork Trail (#80) 43.5 miles - Spotted Bear (Wilderness)
• Gunsight Peak (#43) 7.5 miles -Spotted Bear (some Wilderness)
• Spotted Bear to Schafer (#327) 18 miles Spotted Bear (Great Bear Wilderness)
• Holland Gordon (#35) 8.3 miles Swan Lake District
• Echo Broken Leg /Wolf Creek (#544) 9.5 miles Swan Lk District

Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Required on All Public Lands in Montana

Weed seed free hay is required on all Forest Service lands in Region One and on all public lands in Montana. Weed seed free hay bales are identified by color of twine (often orange and blue), or certification tag. It is recommended that horses coming to forest lands are feed weed seed free hay for three days in advance. Visit Montana Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage page for specific information.

Horse Camping

Horse camping opportunities on the Forest vary from front country to wilderness areas.  Keep in mind that the Forest Food Storage Order applies to all types of camping.  Secure your food in bear resistant containers or hang from a tree using the recommended spacing and height (see our Wildlife Safety page).  Where ever you chose to camp, use the Leave No Trace camping style for all activities; sanitation, food preparation, fires, high lines, etc. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and helps keep campsites in good condition.

Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Required on All Public Lands in Montana

Weed seed free hay is required on all Forest Service lands in Region One and on all public lands in Montana. Weed seed free hay bales are identified by color of twine (often orange and blue), or certification tag. It is recommended that horses coming to forest lands are feed weed seed free hay for three days in advance. Visit Montana Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage page for specific information.

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Recreation Opportunities

Horseback Riding (21)

Horse Camping (3)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 23 results

Bear Creek Trailhead

Trailhead for the Big River Trail #155 as it enters into the Great Bear Wilderness Area.  Parking area, loading ramp, hitch rail, and vault toilet.  Bear Creek River Access site is adjacent.

Beaver Creek Campground

This is a free campground located 63 miles south of the town of Hungry Horse on the gravel East Side Reservoir Road #38. The campground is located at an elevation of 4,200 feet and is open from May…

Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex

Together, the Great Bear, Bob Marshall, and Scapegoat Wildernesses form the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, an area of more than 1.5 million acres. The Flathead National Forest manages the largest…

Echo Broken Leg #544

The Echo Broken Leg Trail is 9.5 miles long and climbs about 2,600 feet. It begins at the junction of Road #5392 and ends at the intersection with Alpine Trail #7. This trail is also known as the…

Glacier View Area

The Glacier View Area is located west of Glacier National Park and borders Canada to the north.  All trails can be accessed from the North Fork road #486.

Gorge Creek Trailhead

This is a free trailhead site located 71 miles south of the town of Hungry Horse on the gravel East Side Reservoir Road #38. The trailhead is located at an elevation of 4,200 feet and is open from…

Great Bear Wilderness

The Great Bear Wilderness is part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex.  It borders Glacier National Park, the Hungry Horse Reservoir and Spotted Bear Ranger District.  The Middle Fork of the…

Meadow Creek Trailhead

This is a free trailhead site located 67 miles south of the town of Hungry Horse on the gravel East Side Reservoir Road #38. The trailhead is located at an elevation of 4,000 feet and is open from…

Middle Big Bill Trailhead

This is a free trailhead site located 61 miles south of the town of Hungry Horse on the gravel East Side Reservoir Road #38. The trailhead is located at an elevation of 5,000 feet and is open from…

Owl Creek Cabin

The Owl Creek Cabin is a rustic one room (16ft X 20ft) cabin. Group size is limited to 4 people. Accommodations for users include sleeping bunks with mattresses, wood heating stove, electric lights,…