Hiking the Bear Creek Overlook Trail in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana
Distance: 5.2 miles / 8.4 km
The Bear Creek Overlook Trail in the Bitterroot Mountains of western Montana is one of the country’s best hidden gems!
There’s something to be said about a hike where you don’t know how good it’s going to be until the very end, and that’s exactly what the Bear Creek Overlook Trail entails, as the hike winds its way up a number of gradual, fairly easy switchbacks to one of the most beautiful viewpoints imaginable—especially when hiked at sunset!
I say all this because, personally, I have held few hikes with such high regard as the Bear Creek Overlook, and if I had a top five list of the best hikes I’ve ever experienced, it would go Pēpēʻōpae, Awaʻawapuhi, the Weeping Wall, the Kalalau Trail and the Bear Creek Overlook!
Bear Creek Overlook Trailhead Parking
Parking for the trail is located at the very end of the long and bumpy Bear Creek Overlook Trail Road.
Most 2WD cars should be able to make the drive, granted that the road is snow-free. However, please note that the road from the pavement to the trailhead is a long 5.8-mile (9.3 km) drive on mostly single-lane windy road, with steep drop-offs on one side.
Google Maps Directions: Bear Creek Overlook Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Bitterroot Mountains
The Bitterroot Mountains in Montana is both black bear and grizzly country. Therefore, you should be hiking with bear spray for your own safety.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Bear Creek Overlook Trail
The Bear Creek Overlook Trail begins directly adjacent to the parking area at the end of Bear Creek Overlook Trail Road.
At the initial split following the trailhead, go left to stay on the Bear Creek Overlook Trail.
The path to the right is a shortcut for the switchbacks, but it is not the established trail made the National Forest Service.
After the initial split, the Bear Creek Overlook Trail climbs a series of 22 switchbacks from the trailhead to the overlook.
Although that may sound like a lot, the hike up the Bear Creek switchbacks climbs one of the gentlest slopes, making the Bear Creek Overlook one of the best effort-to-reward trails I’ve ever hiked!
One of my favorite things about a trail like the Bear Creek Overlook is that you don’t know what you’re hiking up to until the end, which makes the viewpoint one of the best surprises when you finally arrive!
Toward the upper switchbacks, you’ll likely notice the trees thinning out up the hillside, which is a nice mental checkpoint that you’re getting close to the overlook.
Bear Creek Overlook
At the very end of the trail, you arrive at the stunning Bear Creek Overlook, which overlooks both the North Fork and Bear Creek.
Additionally, the ridgeline at the very back of the two valleys marks the Montana-Idaho border.
Alternatively, you can scramble up the peak to the right of the official trail, as shown in the photos below.
Personally, this upper viewpoint at the Bear Creek Overlook is one of my favorite places to watch sunset, and it’s always a hike that I will revisit every time I come back to Glacier National Park.
Warning
While the Bear Creek Overlook is one of the most beautiful hikes in the world, it can also be one of the most dangerous.
Every cliff along the edge of the overlook is a place where you cannot afford to fall, as it would almost certainly result in death.
I say this to say: enjoy the beautiful views, but be careful along these dramatic cliffs. The end of the official trail is actually an overhanging cliff that you cannot see until you’re standing on the upper viewpoint shown above.
Warning
Afternoon thunderstorms in high Mountain West areas, such as this, are a serious concern during the summer monsoon season.
Even if the weather forecast doesn’t predict any storms, I can tell you from personal experience that they may show up out of nowhere and can put you and your entire group in a very dangerous situation.
I say this to emphasize the importance of turning around at the first sign of lightning, thunder, or even heavy cloud buildup. However, if you ever get caught in a storm unsuspectingly, follow the steps linked below to reduce the risk of getting struck.
U.S. Forest Service: Lightning Safety Tips
More Nearby Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures nearby, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Now more than ever, it’s commonly agreed upon that Grizzly Bears can be found in all mountain ranges across Montana, as their range only continues to expand between the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Glacier National Park.
Therefore, it’s important to hike with bear spray and know how to react in the event of a Black or Grizzly Bear encounter.
Aside from wildlife, Montana, like any Mountain West state, is known for its violent afternoon thunderstorms, which are more typical in the warmer summer months than other times of the year.
That said, it’s important to check the local forecast before setting off on any adventure, as lightning strikes are not uncommon in and near mountain ranges across the West. I have personally been knocked to the ground by a strike that hit near me in the past, and I confidently say that it’s an experience you don’t want to live through. This is why I highly recommend checking Mountain Forecast for any high-elevation adventures you may be interested in—especially when climbing a summit.
Finally, Montana is one of the more glaciated states in the lower 48, and I say this to remind that all skills related to glacier travel are necessary whenever attempting an adventure as such.
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
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