While there’s never truly a bad time to get out and enjoy Montana’s great outdoors, most of our hiking trails are best enjoyed in the late spring or summertime. If you’re trying to decide where your first hike of the season should be, we highly recommend checking out the Drinking Horse Mountain Trail. This nice, pleasant loop will leave you breathless, but only because of the views.

Drinking Horse Mountain is located in the Bozeman area, but you’ll feel like you’re in your own world instead of mere minutes from one of Montana’s largest cities.

Tara Pratt / alltrails.com This 2-mile loop shines its brightest from early May until mid-September, but you can check it out anytime.

This trail can be busy during the summer, but it’s not as well-known as some of the others in the area.

Tammy Souder / alltrails.com Go during the week and early in the day, to avoid other hikers.

From the trailhead at Bridger Canyon Road (which has a parking lot), you’ll make your way downhill into the trees at first, crossing a bridge to a large gate that designates the Drinking Horse Mountain area.

Leslie Taylor / alltrails.com From there, the uphill adventure begins.

This trail is ranked as moderate, meaning it’s somewhat challenging, but not too strenuous for most Montanans.

Mary Alice Blythe / alltrails.com It’s a bit of a steep climb, but the views are worth it.

Eventually, you’ll come to the top, where you can take in views of Bridger Canyon and the Gallatin Valley.

Greg Olson / alltrails.com This is definitely one of the most beautiful parts of Montana, and the views from this trail are amazing.

This trail has been popular for over a decade, after the land was donated by the White family in the early 2000s.

Brandi Cole / alltrails.com The trail was completed in 2009 after the Gallatin Valley Land Trust and the USFS for Gallatin National Forest teamed up to make it easily accessible.

Don’t miss this gorgeous nature trail, perfect for stretching your legs after a long period indoors.

Nichole Ohlhaber / alltrails.com This hike will make you appreciate Montana life all over again.

Have you ever hiked this trail? Here are some other Treasure State trails under 3 miles long that are always worth exploring.

Tara Pratt / alltrails.com

This 2-mile loop shines its brightest from early May until mid-September, but you can check it out anytime.

Tammy Souder / alltrails.com

Go during the week and early in the day, to avoid other hikers.

Leslie Taylor / alltrails.com

From there, the uphill adventure begins.

Mary Alice Blythe / alltrails.com

It’s a bit of a steep climb, but the views are worth it.

Greg Olson / alltrails.com

This is definitely one of the most beautiful parts of Montana, and the views from this trail are amazing.

Brandi Cole / alltrails.com

The trail was completed in 2009 after the Gallatin Valley Land Trust and the USFS for Gallatin National Forest teamed up to make it easily accessible.

Nichole Ohlhaber / alltrails.com

This hike will make you appreciate Montana life all over again.

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Address: Drinking Horse Hill Trail, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA