Huckleberry Lookout Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Bears not withstanding, the Huckleberry Lookout Trail itself is a great run. Green with forest, purple with berries, and a wide-open view at the top make this worthwhile. That said, be cautious; have some bear spray at the ready and make some noise - i.e. bring some bear bells or at least your iPhone and play some music while you run!

Just off Camas Road from West Glacier, Huckleberry Lookout Trail offers a nice, accessible run that doesn't require navigating the crowds and shuttle buses along Lake McDonald.

Start immediately from your car and the obvious "Huckleberry Lookout" trail sign. Meander through a beautiful and calm forest/meadow. The trail here is flat ground with a couple of nice wooden bridges as you cross over the creek a few times. After a short while, the trail begins to turn right and head up-slope along more dedicated singletrack.

From here, it's uphill the whole way, but with easy to moderate inclines and nice views of abundantly forested hillsides the miles go by quickly. Plus, if the season is right, the red and purple pearls of delicious delight that give this trail its name, gleam at you from the bush and practically beg you give them a taste! BUT BEWARE: humans aren't the only ones that find these berries irresistible.

Warning! Huckleberry Lookout Trail has one of the highest bear densities in the entire country, and while they can't make a pie, grizzlies happily chow down on these tasty morsels throughout the day. Be careful to travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray and stay alert so you don't surprise one during its midday lunch.

At the top, enjoy wide-open views of the surrounding mountains and open sky before turning around and enjoying the easy downhill run back.