Directions
21.5 Miles from Bozeman, MT. 43 Minutes

From Bozeman, drive South on 19th Street for about 5 miles. Follow the curve to the right and drive for another mile or so, following the signs to take a left onto Hyalite Canyon Road.

Follow Hyalite Canyon Road up to the reservoir. Take it across the dam and keep right onto the gravel. Continue on the road along the East side of the reservoir, staying right until it dead ends at the Hyalite Lake Trailhead.

Be Advised: Hyalite Canyon Road is closed annually between April 1st and May 15th. You will not be able to reach this hike by car during this time.

Difficulty Moderate

This hike will be challenging due to the long distance. The elevation gain is steady and there's only about a mile of steep hiking as you approach the lake.

Round Trip Distance 12 Miles

If you're able to average roughly 1.5 mph on the hike, you'll be able to make it up and back to your car within 8 hours. Be sure to plan some extra time for viewing and photographing the many waterfalls.

Net Elevation Gain 1885 feet

Destination Quality 3 (out of 5)

The beautiful waterfalls and canyon views leading to the top can make the final destination a little underwhelming. The lake itself is pretty, but small and shallow, so leave your fishing pole at home.

Food

Though not overly strenuous, you'll be on the trail all day. Pack a full meal to eat at the top as well as snacks to munch along the way.

Trail Conditions Good

This trail is heavily used, well worn, and easy to find.

Expect snow on the trail all the way into July and again in late September.

Dog Friendly Friendly

There is plenty of shade and water along the entire hike— this is a great trail for your pooch if it has the endurance.

Road Condtions Good

The road up to Hyalite is windy and slow, but paved and in great condition. Once you cross the dam the dirt road begins. It's bumpy and narrow, but is passable with a car.

Map Recommendation

Beartooth Publishing's Bozeman Area Map includes this trail all the way to the lake.

Trailhead Bathroom Yup

There's a vault toilet near the trailhead sign.

Foot Traffic Medium

All hikes near the reservoir see a lot of foot traffic, but due to its length, this one never gets too crowded.

Suggested Clothing

The hike is mostly shaded, so in cooler months (May, September, Oct.) you will want long pants and a warm layer (sweater, jacket). In warmer weather you will be able to enjoy nice long breaks from the sun. If you’re planning on spending some time at the lakes there is little to no cover, so you will want sunscreen.

Footwear: Tennis Shoes OK

Hiking boots in the early spring and fall because of snow melt. A comfortable pair of tennis shoes would work in the dryer months, though, there are a few very shallow stream crossings where waterproof boots will keep your feet dry.

Bugs Medium

The area around the lakes near the top of the hike is wet and has potential for bugs. Bring your spray.

Tree Cover Thick

The majority of the hike is in dense trees with lots of shade, however, the basin with the lake has very few trees.

Cell Service 1 (out of 5)

You won't have any phone service on this hike.

Overnight Potential Yup

This entire hike runs through national forest and there's potential camping spots off of spur trails. There's also some well worn sites near the lake, connections to open up multi-day trip possibilities, as well as developed campgrounds near Hyalite reservior: Chisholm Campground or Hood Creek Campground.

Trail Connections

Grotto Falls
About a mile into the hike you'll see a a sign for a dead-end spur trail that drops 1/2 mile towards Grotto Falls.

Storm Castle Creek
When you're getting close to the lake, instead of taking a left, hang a right onto Storm Castle Creek Trail.

Hyalite Peak
Continuing on from the lake takes you to Hyalite Peak. Expect this to add another 3 hours round trip to the hike.

Past the Peak
Continuing on past Hyalite Peak brings you to a network of trails with lots of options. Loop west to Swan Creek, East to Horseshoe Basin and Fridley Lakes, or South then East towards Big Creek in Paradise Valley.