Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
1,827.00 ft (556.87 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
4.50 mi (7.24 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Hoodoo Lake Trail is close to the Heart Lake Trail, which is much more popular than Hoodoo Lake and also off of Forest Road 250. The comparatively lighter traffic is one of the attractions of going to Hoodoo Lake. The trail begins with a gradual incline that eventualy steepens about a quarter of a mile in. There are huckleberries that line the beginning of the trail during berry season. The trail does steepen, but it is still not overly strenous, and it is well maintained considering the lack of traffic. There is a dense forest on either side of the trail. Once you are just under 2 miles in you will see a sign to stay left to begin your descent to Hoodoo Lake, which is another half mile. Stop to take in the views at this turn because the rest of the trail is mostly wooded. Once you reach the lake, there is an opportunity to fish or walk around the right side of the lake on an unmarked trail, but unfortunately there aren't many places to sit down and have a bite to eat. Even though it is only a few miles in from the forest road, it is very secluded and peaceful. It is an out and back, so it is very easy to follow the trail back once you are ready.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Lake. Huckleberries. Wildlife. Marked trail.

Cons

Buggy. No facilities or parking. Trail ends right at the lake. No place to sit or walk around the lake to fish.

Trailhead Elevation

4,036.00 ft (1,230.17 m)

Highest point

5,863.00 ft (1,787.04 m)

Features

Family friendly
Near lake or river
Wildlife
Fishing

Typically multi-day

No

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Western Bitteroot + Clearwater Mountains, Montana
Missoula + Bitterroot Mountains, Montana

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.