Last updated June 28, 2026
The Best Mountains to Climb in Montana: Granite Peak, the Beartooths & Glacier National Park
Montana is defined less by elevation than by remoteness and ruggedness. Its high country tops out on Granite Peak (12,807 ft) — a Class 4 scramble often called the second-hardest US state highpoint after Denali — but the state’s real range runs from the glaciated Beartooth plateau to the scrambles of Glacier National Park and the island ranges rising straight off the plains. Here are the 10 best Montana mountains, ranked by difficulty, with the protocol for choosing your first objective.
Start in the Bridgers or Glacier, finish on Granite. For an accessible first Montana summit, climb Sacajawea Peak (Bridger Range, near Bozeman) or scramble Reynolds Mountain from Logan Pass in Glacier National Park. Build scrambling and route-finding on Mount Cleveland (Glacier’s highest) or Trapper Peak (Bitterroot highpoint). Then commit to Granite Peak (12,807 ft, Class 4) — Montana’s highest and one of the toughest state highpoints in the country. Montana rewards self-sufficiency: long approaches, real weather, and grizzly country are the constants.
📑 Contents
The 10 Best Mountains to Climb in Montana
Ranked from the state’s hardest, highest objective down to its most accessible summits. Elevations are USGS; difficulty reflects the standard route.
Granite Peak
Montana’s highest and the crown of the Beartooths. The standard East Ridge involves sustained Class 4 scrambling, real exposure, and a long approach across the Froze-to-Death Plateau. Widely rated the second-hardest US state highpoint after Denali; carry a rope and ice axe, and wait for a stable weather window.
Find Hotels, Flights & Trips for the World’s Best Hiking Destinations
The Global Summit Guide Travel Shop on Expedia — curated for outdoor adventurers, mountaineers, and serious hikers. Patagonia to the Alps. Nepal to the Rockies. Curated lodging for every region we cover.
Explore Travel Shop on Expedia →Tempest Mountain
Montana’s second-highest summit, sitting on the high plateau approach to Granite. Strong parties sometimes combine the two; it shares the same remote, weather-exposed Beartooth character and demands the same self-sufficiency.
Hilgard Peak
The highest peak in the Madison Range and the highest summit in Montana outside the Beartooths. Remote and technical, with loose rock and serious route-finding — an objective for experienced scramblers only.
Crazy Peak
The highpoint of the Crazies, a dramatic island range that erupts straight off the plains north of the Yellowstone River. A steep, scenic scramble with big elevation gain and isolated, panoramic views.
Lone Mountain
The signature summit above Big Sky. More accessible than most Montana 11ers thanks to the resort infrastructure below it, Lone Mountain is a strong intermediate objective with a genuine alpine summit feel.
Mount Cleveland
The highest peak in Glacier National Park — a long, committing scramble on ancient sedimentary rock, deep in grizzly country. Huge vertical relief and remoteness make it feel far larger than its elevation suggests.
Trapper Peak
The highest peak in the Bitterroots on Montana’s western border — a strenuous but non-technical trail hike to a granite summit. One of the most approachable 10,000-ft peaks in the state.
Mount Siyeh
A Glacier National Park classic above the Going-to-the-Sun corridor, famous for one of the largest sheer cliff faces in North America on its north side. A rewarding scramble with exposure to respect.
Sacajawea Peak
The highpoint of the Bridger Range just north of Bozeman — steep but non-technical, and one of Montana’s most accessible real summits. An ideal first Montana peak, with frequent mountain-goat sightings and Gallatin Valley views.
Reynolds Mountain
A photogenic, accessible Glacier National Park scramble reached from Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The best introduction to Glacier-style scrambling before bigger park objectives like Cleveland or Siyeh.
Montana’s Climbing Ranges
Montana has more than 100 named mountain ranges. Six matter most to climbers, each with a distinct character:
| Range | Signature peak | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Absaroka-Beartooth | Granite Peak (12,807 ft) | Montana’s high country — 28 peaks over 12,000 ft, glaciated plateau, the state’s hardest objectives. |
| Glacier NP (Lewis & Livingston) | Mount Cleveland (10,466 ft) | 200+ named peaks, enormous vertical relief, scrambles on ancient rock; grizzly country. |
| Madison Range | Hilgard Peak (11,316 ft) | Rugged, remote summits plus the accessible Big Sky area (Lone Mountain). |
| Crazy Mountains | Crazy Peak (11,214 ft) | A dramatic island range rising abruptly from the plains; isolated, steep scrambles. |
| Bitterroot Range | Trapper Peak (10,157 ft) | Granite spires on the Idaho border; Trapper offers a non-technical hike to a 10er. |
| Bridger Range | Sacajawea Peak (9,665 ft) | Bozeman’s home range — accessible day climbs and an ideal first Montana summit. |
Best Montana Mountains by Skill Level
Sacajawea Peak (Bridgers, near Bozeman) and Reynolds Mountain (Glacier NP, from Logan Pass) deliver big views without technical climbing. Steep and strenuous, but non-technical and well within reach of a fit hiker.
Trapper Peak (Bitterroot highpoint), Lone Mountain (Big Sky), Crazy Peak, and the Glacier scrambles Mount Cleveland and Mount Siyeh build the Class 2-3 skills, exposure tolerance, and judgment you’ll need for Granite.
Granite Peak, Tempest Mountain, and Hilgard Peak demand sustained Class 4 scrambling, rope work, remote multi-day logistics, and serious weather judgment. Granite in particular should never be a first mountain.
Season, Permits & Safety
Season. Mid-July through September is the prime window, once the high country melts out; Granite and the Beartooths are typically climbable from late June. High passes can hold snow into July, and the first storms often arrive by late September.
Permits. The Beartooths and most Forest Service ranges require no climbing permit — follow standard wilderness regulations. Glacier National Park charges an entrance fee and requires a backcountry permit for overnight trips. Always confirm current road access (the Going-to-the-Sun Road and Beartooth Highway open seasonally) and any closures before you commit.
Grizzly country. Most of these ranges are active grizzly habitat — carry bear spray, store food properly, and travel alert. Afternoon thunderstorms build fast over exposed plateaus like Froze-to-Death; start early and be off summits by midday. Loose rock is common on Glacier’s sedimentary peaks, and approaches are long and remote — self-rescue capability matters.
Bozeman, Red Lodge, Kalispell, and West Glacier make the best basecamps for these ranges. Find lodging and flights through the Global Summit Guide travel shop:
Find Montana Lodging on Expedia →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you. Recommendations are independent of commissions.
Montana Climbing FAQ
What is the highest mountain in Montana?
Granite Peak, at 12,807 ft, is Montana’s highest point — a Class 4 scramble in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness near the Wyoming border. It’s the tenth-highest US state highpoint and, by reputation, the second-hardest to climb after Denali. It was the last US state highpoint to be first ascended, in 1923.
Is Granite Peak hard to climb?
Yes — it’s widely considered the second-most-difficult US state highpoint after Denali. The standard East Ridge route involves Class 4 scrambling with exposure, a long approach across the Froze-to-Death Plateau, route-finding, and fast-changing weather, usually over two to three days. Most parties carry a rope and ice axe.
What is the best beginner mountain in Montana?
Sacajawea Peak in the Bridger Range (9,665 ft) near Bozeman is a steep but non-technical hike and one of the state’s most accessible real summits. In Glacier National Park, Reynolds Mountain (9,125 ft) from Logan Pass is a popular introductory scramble.
Can you climb mountains in Glacier National Park?
Yes — the park has over 200 named peaks, mostly climbed as scrambles. Mount Cleveland (10,466 ft) is the highest, with Mount Siyeh and Reynolds Mountain among the classics. It’s serious grizzly country, the rock can be loose, and overnight trips need a backcountry permit.
When is the best time to climb in Montana?
Mid-July through September is prime, once high-country snow melts out. Granite and the Beartooths are typically climbable from late June. Expect fast-moving afternoon thunderstorms, plan early starts, and stay grizzly-aware all season.
Do you need a permit to climb in Montana?
It depends. The Beartooths and most Forest Service ranges require no climbing permit (follow wilderness rules). Glacier National Park charges an entrance fee and requires a backcountry permit for overnights. Always verify current rules, road access, and seasonal closures.
How many mountain ranges does Montana have?
More than 100 named ranges. The most significant for climbers are the Absaroka-Beartooth (Granite Peak and most of the state’s 12,000-ft summits), Glacier’s Lewis and Livingston ranges, the Madison Range, the Crazy Mountains, the Bitterroots, and the Bridgers.
How does Granite Peak compare to Wyoming’s Gannett Peak?
They’re neighboring-state highpoints with similar reputations — both Class 4, remote, multi-day, and among the hardest state highpoints in the lower 48. Gannett (13,809 ft) adds mandatory glacier travel; Granite (12,807 ft) is more of a sustained rock scramble. Climbers often pair them.
About the Author
Find Your Next Montana Summit
From a first scramble in the Bridgers to the Class 4 commitment of Granite Peak, match the objective honestly to your experience.
Explore all 20 USA state guides → Find your mountain →Was this helpful?
Global Summit Guide is an independent mountaineering resource founded in 2026. The team combines first-hand trekking and climbing experience with in-depth research and professional health and nutrition review to help climbers choose objectives, prepare properly, and stay safe.
Health, altitude, and nutrition content is reviewed by Taylor Ludlow (Registered Nurse) and Brigg Hoopes (Nutritionist).
What We Don't Know Yet
Mountain information changes quickly. This box explains the limits of what this page can responsibly promise.
- Permit availability, reservation windows, quotas, and official fee rules may change after this page is updated.
- Route conditions, trailhead access, crevasse exposure, stream crossings, and rescue access may vary from published planning guidance.
- Visa, passport, vaccination, border, insurance, and local transportation rules may change before your trip.
Verify current conditions with official land managers, guide services, local forecasts, and current route reports before booking or climbing.
Mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, glacier travel, and high-altitude activity are inherently dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. The information on Global Summit Guide is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional instruction, qualified guiding, proper equipment, or your own judgment and experience.
Route conditions, weather, snowpack, permits, regulations, and hazards change constantly and may differ from what is described here. Details may be incomplete, out of date, or contain errors. Always verify current information with local authorities, certified guides, and official sources before making any decision in the mountains.
Nothing on this site is medical, legal, or financial advice. Our fitness, acclimatization, altitude, and nutrition content is general in nature; consult a qualified physician before beginning any strenuous exercise program or exposing yourself to high altitude.
You are solely responsible for your own safety and decisions. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Global Summit Guide and its team accept no liability for any loss, injury, damage, or expense arising from use of, or reliance on, this information. By using this site you acknowledge these risks and accept these terms.
Some links on this site may be affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you; this never affects our recommendations.
Global Summit Guide recommendation path
Next Best Mountain to Research
Use these recommendations to continue the right planning path instead of stopping on one page.
Use current permit, weather, route, and operator information before booking or climbing.