If you only have time for one hike in the Bitterroot Valley, make it Blodgett Canyon. Carved straight into the granite spine of the Bitterroot Mountains just west of Hamilton, Montana, this glacial canyon stacks 1,000-foot walls on either side of a clear trout stream. Climbers compare the rock to Yosemite, and the trail along the canyon floor lets ordinary hikers stand beneath those same cliffs without a rope.
Getting to the Blodgett Canyon Trailhead
From downtown Hamilton, head west on Main Street, which becomes Bowman Road, then follow signs onto Blodgett Camp Road. The last few miles are well-graded gravel that any passenger car can handle in summer. The main Blodgett Canyon Trailhead (Trail 19) sits at the end of the road next to a small Forest Service campground. Arrive before 9 a.m. on summer weekends, because the lot fills fast and it is the most popular trail in the entire Bitterroot National Forest.
What the Hike Is Actually Like
The beauty of Blodgett is that it rewards almost any distance. The trail follows Blodgett Creek upstream on a gentle grade, weaving through ponderosa pine and Douglas fir with the cliffs towering overhead the entire time.
- First mile: Flat and shaded, with the best canyon-wall views opening up almost immediately. Great for families and a quick afternoon walk.
- Mile 1 to 2: The trail crosses the creek on a sturdy log bridge and passes huge talus fields below the south wall.
- Mile 3.5: A side trail climbs to Blodgett Falls, a frothing chute that makes a perfect lunch turnaround. Round trip is roughly 7 miles.
- Beyond the falls: The canyon keeps climbing toward Blodgett Lake and high passes deep in the wilderness, a serious overnight objective.
Watch for the scars from the 2000 fires; the regrowth and bleached snags actually open up even bigger views of the granite than the canyon had before it burned.
From Day Hike to Wilderness Trek
Blodgett Canyon is one of the classic gateways into the Selway-Bitterroot, the second-largest wilderness in the lower 48. The same trail that gives you an easy creekside stroll eventually links to alpine lakes and the Bitterroot Divide. If the granite walls leave you wanting more, our Selway-Bitterroot backpacking itinerary strings together Blodgett, Canyon Creek, and the high crest into a five-day route.
What to Bring
This is bear country, both black and grizzly, so carry bear spray on your hip and keep food sealed. The canyon faces are exposed, so pack sun protection even on the shaded floor. Creek crossings can run high into early July, so check conditions at the Stevensville Ranger District before relying on the upper bridges.
Best Season and Conditions
The lower canyon is hikeable from late April through October, while snow lingers near the falls and lake into June. September is arguably the finest month: cottonwoods turn gold, crowds thin, and the light hits the west wall in the late afternoon. Avoid mid-summer afternoons when the rock radiates heat and the parking lot overflows.
Nearby Trails Worth Adding
If Blodgett hooks you on the Bitterroots, the canyon next door delivers more granite. Canyon Creek south of town leads to a chain of alpine lakes, and Mill Creek offers a similar wall-lined corridor with a waterfall. All three drain the same crest you can traverse on a longer backpacking trip. Hamilton makes an ideal base, with breweries and gear shops on Main Street to refuel after a day in the canyon.
Blodgett Canyon Trail: Hiking Hamilton's Granite Cathedral FAQs
It is an out-and-back you can tailor to your time. The first mile gives the best wall views, Blodgett Falls is about 7 miles round trip, and the trail continues much deeper toward Blodgett Lake for overnight trips.
The first several miles are easy with a gentle grade along the creek, making it great for families. It only becomes strenuous if you push past the falls toward the lake and passes.
Yes. The Bitterroot Mountains hold both black bears and grizzlies, so carry bear spray accessible on your hip and store all food securely.
