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Helena National Forest

4.7 ★★★★★ 897 Google reviews · Running trail in Helena, Montana · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Helena National Forest yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Scenic

Diverse wilderness expanse featuring campgrounds, hiking trails & hunting & fishing opportunities.

What runners say about Helena National Forest

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (897 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Such a beautiful place to enjoy a ride with the family!”

I LOVE the GREAT OUTDOORS!! Helena National Forst is the best!!! Camping, hiking (everywhere), horse back riding, ATV trails, lakes, mountains, ponderosa pines ( they are my favorite tree), boating, kayaking, fishing ... so much more to do.

★★★★★ — Linda , Jul 2019

Gorgeous area. Tons of snowmobile trails. We did some alpine touring, snowmobiling, and camping in February. It got cold, so it was pretty empty. Felt like we had it all to ourselves. It's hard to get the feeling anywhere these days.

★★★★★ — Chris , Feb 2021

The Trailhead to Crow Creek Falls is approximately 16.5 miles AFTER Radersburg. The trail is wonderful, just stay on the 109 trail. The falls are spectacular and most definitely the crown jewel of the Helena National Forest.

★★★★★ — Cory , Jul 2023

Absolutely a blast if you want to take your ATV or UTV up into the Hills or just take a walk to Hell's Canyon Gates had a great weekend of camping with friends and family

★★★★★ — David , Jul 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 897 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“Such a beautiful place to enjoy a ride with the family!”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Helena National Forest

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitefs.usda.gov
  • Phone(406) 449-5201

Where to find Helena National Forest

2880 Skyway Dr, Helena, MT 59602

Get directions

Running trails near Helena

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Trout Creek Canyon trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 16 reviews

Helena, MT

2 miNatural surface

8.2 miles away

Sierra Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 39 reviews

Helena, MT

13.8 miles away

John G. Mine Trailhead

5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Helena, MT

40 miLoopNatural surfaceDog-friendly

14.4 miles away

Head Lane Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 12 reviews

Helena, MT

16.2 miles away

Nature Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 80 reviews

Helena, MT

PavedScenic

Paved trail around a former gold-dredging site plus a park with a brook and wildlife.

16.9 miles away

Centennial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 416 reviews

Helena, MT

Dog-friendly

Community resource featuring kids' playgrounds, multipurpose trails, fields & a dog park.

17.4 miles away

All running trails in Helena, MT →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.