These 7 Montana Trails Are Ripe For Huckleberry Picking

If you’ve ever wanted to go berry picking in Montana, you’ll have several u-pick berry farms to choose from. But if you’d rather go the more natural route and head out for some wild huckleberry picking, you can always hit one of our local trails that are known for their delicious berries. These are a few of our favorites.

1. Huckleberry Lookout Trail

Located just off Camas Road from West Glacier, this trail is appropriately named — it’s full of huckleberries all summer. Unfortunately, the grizzly bears seem to know this, so if you hike it, be on the lookout and check with the park rangers before you hit the trail. You can find the trail on the map at the official Glacier National Park website.

2. Lava Lake Trail

You’ll find Lava Lake near Gallatin Gateway, and the 5.5-mile hiking trail that leads to the lake is often full of wild berries waiting to be picked. And even when berries aren’t in season, the views of the Spanish Peaks make it worth the trek. Our article has more details about this beautiful Montana trail.

3. Danny on Memorial National Recreation Trail

This 7-mile hike near Whitefish is a pretty popular trail, but if you go early in the season, you’ll find plenty of ripe huckleberries. This is another area known for bear sightings, so take appropriate precautions. Visit our article for more about the Danny On Trail and the scenic lift ride you can take up or down the mountainside.

4. Leverich Canyon

This 5-mile trail near Bozeman is full of beautiful wildflowers and is often used by bikers. However, if you travel on foot, you’ll have an easier time scoping out the huckleberries that line it all summer long. Visit the Forest Service website for more information about this trail.

5. Marion Lake Trail

This is another great Glacier National Park Trail, which you’ll find near the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex. The 7-mile trail takes you right through some raspberry bushes, huckleberries, and blueberries. You can find the trail on the map at the official Glacier National Park website.

6. Baree – Bear Lakes Trail

Located near Trout Creek, this 9-mile trail makes a steady climb to the Cabinet Divide. The best time to pick berries here is late July or early August when the season is just beginning. Visit the Kootenai National Forest website to find this trail on the map.

7. Grotto Falls

The good news is, this easy 2.4-mile trail near Bozeman is great for all skill levels, unlike some of the other trails on this list. The bad news is, that means the early birds will get the best berries, so plan your hike accordingly. Visit our in-depth guide to the Grotto Falls Trail.

Hiking trails should all come with a sweet reward. These Montana hikes all have spectacular scenery, which is the next best thing to fresh berries.