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Running trails in Montana
105 trails across 11 cities in Montana, with the most in Missoula, Bozeman, and Helena — including 20 natural surface, 15 loops, 10 shaded, and 9 long enough for a 5-mile run. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the Montana trails below.
Cities in Montana
Every city and town in Montana with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.
Notable running trails in Montana
The Montana trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-Montana ranking →
Gibson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,688 reviews
Lush retreat featuring colorful gardens, paths, a duck pond, playground & a historic cabin.
Lake Elmo State Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 1,137 reviews
This 64-acre park features a lake with swimming, boating & fishing, plus a 1.4-mi. hiking trail.
Riverfront Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,088 reviews
Park on the banks of the Yellowstone River offering walking paths, shaded seating & picnic areas.
Woodland Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 1,109 reviews
Green zone with a picnic shelter & playground, 2 duck ponds & an adjacent seasonal water park.
Helena National Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 897 reviews
Diverse wilderness expanse featuring campgrounds, hiking trails & hunting & fishing opportunities.
Lone Pine State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 784 reviews
Woodland park offering scenic overlooks & trails for horseback riding, hiking, biking & snowshoeing.
Spring Meadow Lake State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 620 reviews
This 61-acre state park features an artificial lake with swimming & fishing, plus a nature trail.
Zimmerman Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 562 reviews
Park atop the Billings Rimrocks offering hiking & mountain biking, climbing routes & city views.
Two Moon Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 584 reviews
This tranquil park along the Yellowstone River has trails through meadows & woods, plus wildlife.
Gallatin County Regional Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 570 reviews
This 87-acre park features mixed-use trails, a playground, climbing boulders, a dog park & more.
Peets Hill/Burke Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 499 reviews
Green space featuring a popular hiking trail & a hill with scenic views & wintertime sledding.
Swords Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 504 reviews
Unspoiled natural site on 60 acres offering year-round hiking & biking & seasonal picnicking.
Glen Lake Rotary Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 464 reviews
Park offering fishing, a beach, picnic areas, volleyball, trails, and a dock.
Lawrence Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 419 reviews
Clean, well-kept area featuring 18-hole disc golf, climbs, ziplines and a playground.
Centennial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 416 reviews
Community resource featuring kids' playgrounds, multipurpose trails, fields & a dog park.
College 'M' Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 353 reviews
Tourist attraction featuring a hiking trail with scenic views at the top.
Drinking Horse Mountain National Recreation Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 329 reviews
Shady, scenic trail featuring views from its summit, along with a fort and a bench.
West Bank Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 251 reviews
Clean riverside park featuring a playground, walking trails, and picnic tables.
Four Dances Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 213 reviews
Lookout points as well as steep trails featuring cliffs and river access on the Yellowstone River.
Shiloh Conservation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 191 reviews
Preserve featuring paved pathways and a pond for fishing, plus bird-watching.
Sypes Canyon Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 190 reviews
This popular hiking path through rocky & wooded terrain offers dramatic mountain & valley views.
Skyline Dog Park/ Kids Fishing Pond
4.6 ★★★★★ 188 reviews
Large park for dogs and their parents featuring fenced play areas: a water fountain and a fishing pond for kids.
No trails match those filters.
Montana trails by surface
Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.
More ways to find a trail in Montana
- Best running trails in Montana — the state-wide ranking from runner reviews
- Loop trails — 15 in Montana come back to the trailhead without backtracking
- Long-run trails (5+ miles) — 9 in Montana are long enough for a proper long run
- Shaded trails — 10 in Montana keep tree cover over the path for summer miles
- Lit trails — 3 in Montana have lighting for pre-dawn and post-work runs
- Trails with restrooms — 34 in Montana, and 4 with water fountains
- Trailhead parking — 52 in Montana have parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly trails — 51 in Montana you can run with a dog
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible — 15 in Montana are smooth and wide enough
- Scenic trails — 71 in Montana runners single out for the views
- Browse by surface — paved, crushed limestone, natural dirt or boardwalk
- All trail features — loops, shade, lighting, restrooms, mile markers and more
- Running trails by state — the rest of the country
- Trail-running guides — surfaces and your knees, loop vs out-and-back, trail etiquette, running before dawn
Trail features in Montana
- Scenic Running Trails
- Trails with Trailhead Parking
- Dog-Friendly Running Trails
- Trails with Restrooms
- Hilly Trails & Hill Workouts
- Stroller & Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
- Loop Trails (No Backtracking)
- Quiet, Uncrowded Trails
- Shaded Running Trails
- Long-Run Trails (5+ Miles)
- Flat & Fast Running Trails
- Trails with Water Fountains
- Lit Trails for Early & Night Runs
- Trails with Mile Markers