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Painted Hills Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 26 Google reviews · Running trail in Bozeman, Montana · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Painted Hills Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. 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.
What runners say about Painted Hills Trailhead
“A beautiful trail, definitely a climb on switch backs”
This is an amazing trail for a morning run! The wide span of trails nearby also make for great hiking/walking/running areas.
Fairly nice for hiking, running, biking or walking. It gets narrow at times. Has a nice elevation gain. Leads up to Triple Tree trailhead. Bicyclists rarely slow and yield to people hiking or walking. Some are nice, mostly women, but the men bicycling rarely yield.
Trails are getting deep from so much usage. Can't wait til the cows come back. Maybe fewer people will go out around them. There was a guy and a dog not on the trail. No leash either. I hope others don't get the same idea. It'll ruin our favor with the landowners.
Convenient small parking lot giving access to a wonderful neighborhood trail system, peaceful and pretty in either winter or summer.
Trail conditions & character
“A beautiful trail, definitely a climb on switch backs”
“Convenient small parking lot giving access to a wonderful neighborhood trail system, peaceful and pretty in either winter or summer.”
Plan your run at Painted Hills Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitegvlt.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Bozeman
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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