What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Beaverponds Trail #105
This trail starts off U.S. Route 2 in the Thompson Park Municipal Recreation Area. It winds through drainage areas from several old beaver ponds. While you can hike along this trail, it is especially popular with mountain bikers. In places, it runs along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Length: 2.67 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Gold Creek Trail #152
This trail starts off Pioneers Mountain Scenic Byway #73. It begins by following Gold Creek, and you will walk across a puncheon bridge. Then, it runs across several creeks before running alongside a lodgepole pine forest and entering a meadow. Finally, you will climb steep hills, where you will want to turn around and admire the views of Gold Creek, which looks gold when viewed from above.
Length: 5.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Haystack Mountain #82
This hike begins off Forest Road #1538. The road to the trailhead requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle, so if you do not have one, you will need to add another mile to this hike. Once you reach the summit of this trail that runs steeply uphill, beautiful views of Boulder River Valley, Elk Park, and other vistas will be your reward.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
Near Lee Metcalf Wilderness, you will find countless opportunities to fish in the Rock Creek, Madison, Big Hole, Beaverhead, Red Rock, Ruby, and Jefferson rivers. There are numerous mountain lakes, including Wade, Branham, and Elk lakes. Anglers often catch arctic grayling, westslope cutthroat, and bull trout. The nine miles of Madison River running through this wilderness is an ideal place to go whitewater rafting.
Climbing
Beehive Basin, about an hour south of Bozeman, is a fantastic place to go climbing. There are numerous routes up the southeast face of this basin. Usually, climbers scale the face and use the rappel guides to rappel back down near Mountain Village.
Wildlife Viewing
If you want to see elk, head to the area surrounding Wall Cabin in the spring and fall. Another fantastic place to see wildlife is the Cliff Point Campground, where you will often see animals coming in at night and in the morning to get a drink. You may see moose and otters in this area.
Picnicking
Several day-use areas in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest are great places for a picnic. Near Cameron, consider the Bear Creek Campground and Picnic Area. The Branham Lakes Campground and Picnic Area near Sheridan is another excellent choice.
