Hike Drinking Horse Mountain Trail in Bozeman, MT (USA)

Drinking Horse Mountain Trail in Bozeman, Montana. USA. Photo by Jenny Hershberger.

So you are a passive hiker, looking for a slightly-less-than-easy trail in Bozeman, Montana? I recommend the Drinking Horse Mountain Trail. The first time I went to it, I was a teensy confused about how to get from the parking lot to the trail head. The parking lot is visible from the road. That was easy to find, and pass. Oops. I had to turn around that first visit.

The “pre trailhead”, however, is a bit obscured by bushes. A little harder to find. Don’t lose hope, you will find it. I call it the pre trailhead because it seems more like a path to get to the trail. You cross over a couple of driveways. Don’t go down the driveways. That’s what I did the first time. (I guess I wasn’t paying much attention to signs that first day.) Keep moving forward.

Drinking Horse Mountain Trail in Bozeman, MT. USA. Photo by Jenny Hershberger.

You will go over a pedestrian bridge. You are almost to what I consider the beginning of the trail, even though you have been walking for a few minutes by now. You get to a fork in the path, to hike up hill. This path is a loop. So either direction you take, you will end up back to that very spot.

If you go to the right, the path is a little longer, but also a little more gentle in slope. The switch backs are nicely placed. I find I am just about out of breath by the time there is a nice flat stretch to walk. If you go to the left, the trail is shorter to the top, but also notably more steep. If you are in good shape, you may consider this a short cut to the top. I usually go right.

Drinking Horse Mountain Trail in Bozeman, MT. USA. Photo by Jenny Hershberger.

The trail offers pleasant shade through the woods. There are open sunny spots as well. When you get to the top, you loop toward the back of the hill for some unencumbered vistas. Really beautiful and more than worth the short mile plus hike uphill. Over all, the hike is a little more than two miles. Not long at all. I do recommend bringing drinking water with you. This is a dryer climate. And though it isn’t a long hike, you will find yourself getting thirsty. If you have a pup with you, bring some extra for him/her.

This trail tends to get snow/ice pack on it. It can take a little while for it to melt in the spring. And then is a little muddy for a bit. I have heard of people spotting bear while on this trail. Wherever you walk in Montana, it’s a good idea to bring bear spray.