Hike to Lava Lake

Gallatin Gateway, Montana

5.0/5

based on 3 reviews

Save

View all 6 photos

All 6 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

6 miles

Elevation Gain

1600 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Dwayne Parton

Lava Lake is a popular hike off of US 191 in the Gallatin Canyon. Only a short drive from Bozeman, MT the lake is a popular place to fish, swim, or just relax.

The 6 mile round trip to Lava Lake is a steady climb that runs beside Cascade Creek through the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The trail starts at the Gallatin River and continues upward through dense evergreen forest. There are no confusing intersections but is quite rocky and considered to be moderate in difficulty.

Due to the dense forest, views are limited until you get to Lava Lake. In the first mile you will walk by a summer cabin, as you get closer to the lake the trail begins to have switchbacks and then opens up to some small meadows. Snow may still be present on into May, and the water is cold and refreshing throughout the summer.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Camping

Fishing

Photography

Backpacking

Hiking

Bathrooms

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

Lake

Scenic

Wildlife

Hike to Lava Lake Reviews

Maryssa Fenwick

Hike to Lava Lake

09/03/20

Worth the hike! The 6 mile round trip is a steady climb that weaves around a small creek. I hiked this in early May and did find quite a bit of snow left. I would recommend microspikes if you're doing it before mid-June, although it is very doable without, the melting snow just slows you down a bit. There are campsites around the rim of the lake - continue past these and find yourself overlooking the crystal blue mountain lake. Unreal views upon your "summit". Pack in a beer to enjoy on the large boulders down by the lake, enjoy the sun pouring down on you, meet some new friends and then hike down with that empty beer can securely in your pack :)

5.0

Gabe Priestley

Hike to Lava Lake

03/23/17

I hiked back here in January with my friend. The trail was nice and bootpacked. We brought snowshoes and strapped them on once we got to the frozen snow-covered lake and shoed across the lake in the fresh powder. Amazing view. A bit windy at the lake. The hike is not bad.

5.0

Allen Bredeson

Hike to Lava Lake

08/22/16

Pretty steep incline most the way up. About 3 miles to the lake. The bridge you cross is about a mile from the top. Great swimming in august

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Summit Storm Castle Peak

Storm Castle (or Castle Mountain) is a rocky peak that rises to an elevation of 7,280 ft on the east side of the Gallatin Canyon overlooking Beckman Flats. The hike is a gorgeous 5 mile out and back trail located just 30 minutes south of Bozeman, Montana in the Gallatin Canyon. This trail offers the perfect after work or between class hike that only requires a few hours and the payoffs (views) ...

Hike to Garnet Mountain Lookout

Starting in Bozeman, travel south of Gallatin Gateway about 5 miles on Hwy 191 and turn left on to Storm Castle Creek Road. Follow this road for about 3.5 miles until the road ends. At this point, there is a decent sized parking area. The trail is open year round with ATV access and also snowmobile access as well. Winter travel increases the length of route to 10 miles in one direction. This de...

Summit Beehive Peak

Beehive Basin has it all, a mini playground for outdoorsmen. My first visit was during the winter one year ago. We hoped to ski The Fourth of July Couloir, but conditions were not ideal and we left thinking about all the possible ski routes.I’ve been up numerous times since, running and climbing. Beehive Basin has everything to offer. I went with climbing partners Aki and Wes, to scramble up th...

The Reflector Loop

The Reflector Loop is a well-known hiking trail located in Big Sky, Montana. This trail is approximately 3.65 miles long and is rated as moderate in difficulty. It features an elevation gain of about 814 feet, making it a suitable choice for hikers with a moderate level of fitness. The trail is known for its unique natural features. It winds through a dense forest of pine and spruce trees, of...

Beehive Basin Trail No. 40

Hike to Golden Trout Lakes

The Golden Trout lakes offer a scenic getaway just out of the Gallatin Valley Canyon. To access the trail head, turn east onto Portal Creek Road #984 and continue southeast for 6.8 miles. The road is in rough condition and is better suited for vehicles with a higher clearance. The trail head is equipped with adequate parking.The trail starts off easy and winds past a few small ponds before reac...

Hike to Lava Lake

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Hike to Lava Lake Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Summit Storm Castle Peak

Hike to Garnet Mountain Lookout

Summit Beehive Peak

The Reflector Loop

Beehive Basin Trail No. 40

Hike to Golden Trout Lakes

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps