Welcome to HelenaOudoors.com
Montana’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), states “Outdoor recreation is central to Montana’s identity, economy, and quality of life. It connects residents and vistors to the state’s landscapes, supports physical and mental health and sustains thousands of jobs throughout Montana’s communities.” (2026-2030 SCORP, page 2.)
With unparalleled access to outdoor recreation right from town and its welcoming spirit, the greater Helena area embodies this sentiment. In total, greater Helena boasts over 100 miles of trails. Each trail offers a different personality. Helena’s pathways range from accessible and peaceful to heart-thumping ascents. Each one offeres a unique opportunity to get outdoors, explore, and enjoy a time in nature.
Helena proper features 18 trailheads within the city limits, providing access to nearly 70 miles of trails. From anywhere in town, access to Mount Helena, Mount Ascension, or a variety of accessible trails is only minutes away. Nowhere else in Montana offers similar ease of access to such an astonishing variety, mileage, and number of trails.
More people than ever are reconnecting with nature, and Helena is the perfect place to do it. I hope you enjoy HelenaOutdoors.com—I created it to be your guide to Helena’s stunning natural landscapes. Whether you’re walking, running, or rolling, I wish you only happy trails!
This site is not designed to take the place of a map. It is a tool for you to use with a map to help plan your outings.
Check out the Loops section – 22 terrific loops to explore
Last Chance Audubon calls Lewis and Clark County the best place in Montana to be a birder.
See what bird species being heard in real time on the NW shoulder of Mount Helena.
Accessibility
The outdoors should be open to everyone. Regular connection with nature is essential. While Helena’s terrain often presents challenges with rocky paths and steep inclines, I’m committed to promoting areas of accessibility, as well. With at least 15 miles of trails designed for those with limited mobility, and recognizing that 10% of Lewis and Clark County residents under 65 live with a physical disability, this resource aims to empower everyone in Helena to experience the joy of the outdoors.
Nature and Health
The healing power of nature is well-documented, with recent studies even highlighting its potential to lower future healthcare costs. Other Research suggests that pausing to appreciate the view or connecting with fellow hikers amplifies nature’s positive effects. Across cultures, there are unique expressions for embracing the outdoors; in Helena, we simply say, ‘Happy Trails!’ Regardless of the langua ge, the message is clear: nature is vital to our health and well-being.
Empowering by Informing
Think of HelenaOutdoors as your planning buddy, not your trail guide. When you’re ready to hit the trails, grab these essentials: an interactive trail map on Prickly Pear Land Trust’s site or a weather-resistant trail map from The Base Camp or Montana Book Company. The Forest Service has published a very nice guidebook to help folks learn about outdoor recreation and trails.
Linked Sites
HelenaOutdoors links to NatureMT.com so that you can view the image libraries found there to identify birds, wildflowers, and butterflies you may see along the trail. HelenaOutdoors is a proud member of American Trails, an organization whose mission is to raise awarenes of the value of trails.
Social
Follow us on Instagram for updates and images from the trails.
HelenaOutdoors
MontanaNatureNetwork
Locating Trails
This site uses WhatThreeWords location system for finding the trails. It’s a pretty cool system and allows us to provide location data for places that do not have physical addresses. I hope you can get out and enjoy Helena’s Outdoors!
If you enjoy HelenaOutdoors, please consider supporting the site!
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HelenaOutdoors is a member of the Montana Nature Network