Bear Canyon Trail

Hiking Distance: 4.4 miles round trip
Hiking time: 2.5 hours
Elevation gain: 400 feet
Maps: U.S.G.S. Mount Ellis and Bald Knob, U.S.F.S. Gallatin National Forest West Half or East Half, Crystal Bench Maps—Bozeman, Montana

Summary of hike: The Bear Canyon Trail follows Bear Creek eight miles up the lush, shady canyon to the Bear Lakes. This hike takes in the first 2.2 miles of the trail, which includes several creek crossings and a one–mile loop. The trail stays close to the cascading waters of the creek. Beyond this hike, the Bear Canyon Trail climbs 1,400 feet to the Bear Lakes, which sit at an elevation of 6,900 feet.

Driving directions: From Bozeman, drive east on I–90 to Bear Canyon Road, the first exit east of Bozeman. Turn right on Bozeman Trail Road and continue 0.2 miles to Bear Canyon Road on the left. Turn left and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead parking area at the end of the road.

Hiking directions: From the parking area, the hike begins on an old jeep road heading southeast, parallel to Bear Creek on the left. At 0.5 miles is an unsigned junction–stay to the right. (The left fork crosses Bear Creek and rejoins the trail a short distance ahead.) At 1.2 miles is a log crossing of Bear Creek. The trail passes Dean Gulch from the left. A short distance ahead is a culvert crossing over Bear Creek and a trail divide. This begins the one–mile loop. Take the right fork, which leads to a junction with the Goose Creek Trail. Stay on the main trail, bearing left to a wooden bridge crossing Bear Creek into a meadow. Two hundred feet ahead, a trail heads off to the left. The main trail through the meadow leads to Bear Lakes. Take the left fork, completing the loop, and head back to the trailhead.