HomeMontanaButte › Thompson Park

Thompson Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 43 Google reviews · Running trail in Butte, Montana · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
4.5 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Thompson Park'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.

4.5 miLit at nightScenicRestroomsTrailhead parking

What runners say about Thompson Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (43 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Beautiful park with numerous trails for hiking and mountain biking, short and long and everything in between.”

First, if you follow Google's directions and you're looking to get into the rail trail. The access points are on the other side of the highway. This is a really cool hiking area really closer to Butte, and the park is on both sides of the road. The hiking is great. I hear the biking is excellent.

★★★★★ — Jesse , Jul 2020

Awesome trails and beautiful scenery! Perfect for horses, dogs, bikes, hikes or casual strolling. Beautiful bridge and multiple tunnels ( scarce light in tunnels but well worth it). Lots of falling trees too, wildlife presence all around.

★★★★★ — Kane , Dec 2021

Got to hike this area this past July of 2015. Had no idea this beautiful hiking area existed. EXCELLENT trails.. & interesting rock formations. SO glad we got to hike up here while back up in MT!!

★★★★★ — Brian , Aug 2015

Nice area for hiking & mountain biking. Several parking areas. Beautiful drive along highway 2.

★★★★★ — Eric , Jun 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 43 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 5 mentions

“Beautiful park with numerous trails for hiking and mountain biking, short and long and everything in between.”

More trails like this →

💡 Lit for night running 2 mentions

“Beautiful bridge and multiple tunnels ( scarce light in tunnels but well worth it).”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“We started at the Lion's Den trailhead just down the road and had an excellent evening hike.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Thompson Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • Distance4.5 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websiteco.silverbow.mt.us
  • Phone+1 406-494-2147

Hours

Monday 8 am–9 pm
Tuesday 8 am–9 pm
Wednesday 8 am–9 pm
Thursday 8 am–9 pm
Friday 8 am–9 pm
Saturday 8 am–9 pm
Sunday 8 am–9 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Thompson Park

MT-2, Butte, MT 59701

Get directions

Running trails near Butte

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

Lions Den Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 14 reviews

Butte, MT

under a mile away

Beaver Ponds Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

Butte, MT

4.5 miScenic

1.9 miles away

Homestake Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 87 reviews

Whitehall, MT

Scenic

Hiking area with kid-friendly trails and vault toilets.

3.5 miles away

Maud S Canyon Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 44 reviews

Butte, MT

LoopScenic

Popular canyon trek and sightseeing locale featuring multiple trails, plus mountain-biking routes, loops and stunning vistas.

5.3 miles away

Skyline Dog Park/ Kids Fishing Pond

4.6 ★★★★★ 188 reviews

Butte, MT

ScenicDog-friendly

Large park for dogs and their parents featuring fenced play areas: a water fountain and a fishing pond for kids.

6.8 miles away

McGruff Park

4 ★★★★☆ 96 reviews

Butte, MT

Dog-friendly

Informal park featuring a playground plus a skate park and a basketball court.

8.6 miles away

All running trails in Butte, 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.