The Bob Marshall Wilderness: 6 Easy Day Hikes in Montana

The Bob Marshall Wilderness, often called “The Bob,” is one of the most iconic and remote wilderness areas in the continental United States.

My first introduction was covering a wildfire in the area in 2003. A helicopter flew me up to a lookout with a fire crew, and I was in awe of the surroundings.

The wilderness area covers more than a million acres and offers a raw, rugged backcountry experience for those seeking solitude, wildlife, and adventure.

Full transparency:  I’m far from an expert on the Bob, but I’ve explored different slivers of this massive area enough over the years to give you some of the best day hikes. While the Bob Marshall Wilderness can seem overwhelming and daunting, there are some great options for families and hikers of all abilities.

Key Advice on Visiting the Bob Marshall Wilderness

• If you’re hiking, download a trail map before you go.
• Cell reception will be limited (or non-existent).
• A downloaded map to use offline (on AllTrails) will keep you on track!

Basics on Hiking in the “The Bob”

It’s just massive.   

The Bob Marshall Wilderness covers around 1,562 square MILES.  For perspective, that’s about the size of:

• almost 70 Manhattans!
• the entire state of Rhode Island! 

Remember: you’ll have snow on the ground at higher elevations well into June!   So the trails might be muddy, snowy, or icy even though it’s warm and dry down below.

More Basics on the Bob Marshall Wilderness:

• Established: 1964 (as part of the original National Wilderness Preservation System)
• Size: 1,009,356 acres
• Location: Spans the Flathead National Forest and Lewis and Clark National Forest, just east of the Continental Divide, south of Glacier National Park. It’s an easy drive from Great Falls, which is home to dozens of hotels and local Montana restaurants.
• Named For: Bob Marshall, a forester, writer, and wilderness advocate who helped lay the groundwork for the U.S. wilderness movement in the 1930s.
• The Chinese Wall might be the most famous part of the area. It’s a stunning 1,000-foot-high, 12-mile-long limestone wall, which forms part of the Continental Divide.  It’s just too challenging and advanced to conquer in a day hike.
• Beautiful Blue Water: Several of the easier hikes will take you to crystal clear, pristine lakes and creeks.

Easier Day Hikes in the Bob Marshall Wilderness

These are in no particular order:

1. Gibson dam

• 25 miles northwest of Augusta, MT
• Beautiful lake and scenery
• Easy to access (in good weather)
• Good day trip from Great Falls

2. Swift Dam & Reservoir

I have a whole separate post about Swift Dam, which is accessible to hikers of all levels. Here are the basics:

• West of Dupuyer, MT
• Good for hiking, fishing, and camping
• Scenic: turquoise water, surrounded by tall peaks

3. Muddy Creek Falls

• 20 miles west of Bynum, MT
• 4.5-mile trail (out and back)
• Slot canyon leads to a waterfall

4. Our Lake

• From the South Fork Teton Trailhead
• 30 miles west of Choteau
• 6.5 miles (out and back)
• Known as a prime fishing spot

5. Willow Creek Falls

• Trailhead: 20 miles west of Augusta
• 5-mile hike (out and back)
• Beautiful waterfall
• I’d drive an SUV to the trailhead. The road can be rough!

6. Devil’s Glen

• Trailhead: Dearborn Canyon (20 miles south of Augusta)
• 6-mile hike (out and back)
• Pretty creek and waterfalls
• Wildflowers in the summer
• It’s a pretty easy hike & good for kids
• Bring bear spray

Bears & Wildlife in Montana

Bring bear spray, just in case.

The Bob is known for its abundant wildlife, including:

• Grizzly and black bears (one of the few places in the Lower 48 with a healthy grizzly population)
• Mountain goats
• Moose
• Wolves
• Elk, deer, and cougars
• Bald eagles and peregrine falcons

Advice from Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks

While hiking around Montana, wildlife experts say:

• Make noise, especially in places where visibility or hearing is limited (dense brush, near streams, blind corners) so you don’t surprise a bear.
• Keep all food, scented items, trash out of tents. Store in bear‐resistant containers, hard‐sided vehicles, or designated food storage facilities.
• Dispose of garbage properly — don’t burn or bury it; use certified bear‐resistant bins when available.
• If the bear is unaware of you, quietly back away or move off the trail without surprising it.
• Never run. Bears can run much faster; running may trigger a chase response.
• If a bear charges, use bear spray when it’s within about 30–60 feet.

Camping & Hiking in “The Bob”

The options are really endless in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.  You can spend a week in the wilderness, or just part of an afternoon.

• There are over 1,500 miles of trails, from easy creekside hikes to grueling high-mountain hauls.
• Many visitors come in on horseback.
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
• There’s no cell service or GPS coverage in most areas.
• Bring maps that are accessible offline, or print topo maps.

Camping

• Most camping is primitive, without designated campgrounds, toilets, or potable water.
• There’s a nice campground adjacent to the Swift Dam with amenities (photo below).
• Cook, store, and sleep with food safely away from tents.

The Impacts of Weather & Fire Season

Summer is short!  July through September are the best months to hike at the Bob Marshall Wilderness.  Snow can linger well into July at higher elevations.

Wildfire season can begin as early as June and last into October.

Here’s a generalized breakdown of the weather you can expect:

Summer (June–August)

• Daytime highs are typically in the 60s to 80s°F.  Nights can still be chilly, dropping into the 30s and 40s.

Spring (May–early June)

• Unpredictable, with snow and mud on the trails.
• Temps range from 40s to 60s.

Fall (September–October)

• Crisp and colorful.
• Daily highs are in the 50s and 60s, while frost or snow is possible overnight.

Winter (November–April)

• Harsh!
• Heavy snow and sub-freezing temperatures. 

A Few Final Thoughts on the Bob Marshall Wilderness

• You’ll need a Montana State Fishing License if you plan to fish in the lakes.
• You’ll need a Blackfeet Nation Recreation Permit if you cross onto tribal land (near Swift Dam).
• Again: there’s little to no cell service!

Admittedly, this post barely scratches the surface.  The Bob is a full immersion into the wilderness, as its name implies. 

Even if you’re not looking for a multi-day adventure, you can still unplug and enjoy a slice of the wilderness with one of these great day hikes through “The Bob!” 

More Easy Hikes for Families in Montana

Many of the trails at Glacier National Park are great for hikers, young and old. The easiest is the Trail of the Cedars. It even has a wood-planked pathway, making it accessible to all.

Virginia Falls is another easy hike in Glacier, which is good for families.

There are a number of hiking trails that are good for families around Great Falls.

South of Great Falls, you can check out First People’s Buffalo Jump or Tower Rock State Park along a stretch of the Missouri River famous for fly fishing.

East of Great Falls, consider Memorial Falls or Sluice Boxes State Park, which are also easy trails and good for families.

More Things to Do in Montana

Check out our other blogs on Montana. I have a soft spot in my heart for Great Falls, where I lived 20 years ago. It’s been fun watching the new restaurants and other developments pop up in town.

You’ll find hiking trails there, along with in the Bears Paw Mountains farther north in Havre (pictured below)

Anglers flock to fly fish in the pristine waters of the Missouri River.

Families traveling with kids might like Montana’s dinosaur museums. History buffs can learn about Montana’s past in Fort Benton, which is home to the state’s oldest hotel.

Of course, photographers have an endless supply of destinations, but Glacier National Park is arguably the most scenic!