Near Bear Trap Canyon
Near Bear Trap Canyon
Near Bear Trap Canyon
Near Bear Trap Canyon
Near Bear Trap Canyon

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Hike Route

Bear Trap Canyon

4.8 (5 Ratings)
A great fall/winter/spring trail near Bozeman.
7.7
mi
Distance
762
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
LakeRiver/Creek

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
7.74mi
Distance
762ft
Elevation Gain
557ft
Elevation Loss
45%
Max Grade
4,774ft
High Point
4,510ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The Madison River flows below the stunning rock cliffs of Bear Trap Canyon. Yellowstoneas Firehole and Gibbon rivers feed into the Madison River, which eventually merges with the Jefferson and Gallatin rivers in Missouri Headwaters State Park. Bear Trap Canyon is popular with fly fishermen hoping to snag big trout from its Blue Ribbon waters. The Bear Trap Canyon Trail winds along the east side of the river through a stunning rocky landscape that is also popular with rattlesnakes in the warmer months. Over 3.5 miles in the trail approaches the mouth of Bear Trap Creek. There are a few evident campsites in this area. Past Bear Trap Creek the trail winds through forest and later becomes a road en route to Ennis Lake. The lake formed back in 1906 when a hydroelectric dam was built on the Madison River.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
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Contributors
Stephanie Keene