Mount Helena City Park:
Mount Helena City Park is Helena’s most noticable landmark and features numerous trails of varios levels of difficulty across the park’s 630 acres. Maps of this area are located at the base of the mountain in a kiosk. Trail maps are available for purchase at all the Helena outdoor stores including Base Camp, Bob Wards, Capital Sports & Western and Montana Outdoor Sports.
Obviously, there are many different routes and trailheads, but this is one that we often recommend to Helena visitors.
To reach the main trail head from Downtown Helena, head South on Park Avenue, then take a right on Carriage Lane at the Reeder's Village Subdivision Entrance. From Carriage Lane, follow the signs to the Mount Helena City Park Trailhead at the end of Reeer's Village Drive.
An idea loop if you have 2-3 hours, depending on your hiking level is to take the 1906 Trail to the Summit of Mount Helena and then come down the mountain via the Hogback Trail to the Prospect Shafts Trail, wrapping around the mountain to where you parked.
Trout Creek Canyon Trail:
This easy three-mile trail provides spectacular views of steep-walled limestone formations within a canyon northeast on Highway 280 to York. Continue driving northeast past York to the end of the road and Vigilante Campground.
Refrigerator Canyon:
This canyon located northeast of Helnea is a fantastic desitination on a hot summer day. Temperatures within the small cayon reamain cool year round. Take county road 280, otherwise known as York Road. At the York Bar, turn left onto a gravel road and head north about 8 miles to Nelson. At Nelson, turn right heading east toward Hogback Mountain approximately 5 miles. The trailhead sign is large and easily seen from the road. For those with horses, there is a roadside turnout here with a hitching rack, but you may need to go up the road a mile or so to turn around.
Casey Meadows Trail:
This easy walk in the Elkhorn Mountains features a gradual elevation gain of 1,300 feet on the three-mile route to the meadow. Other trails intersect at the meadow for hikers seeking additional recreational oppertunities. From Helena take Interstate 15 South to Montana City and trun right at the school. Follow this raod past Saddle Mountain Estates to Forest Road 294 and the Casey Meadows Trailhead.
Crow Creek Falls:
To get to Crow Creek Falls, travel south to Townsend on highway 287 for 30 miles to Indian Creek Road (FR 360). Follow this road for approximately 11 miles to the juncstion with Weston Creek Road (FR 4031). Travel about 2.5 miles on FR4031 until its junction with Weasel Creek Road (FR405). Follow FR 405 to the Eagle Guard Station. The trailhead is west of the station. From the trailhead, hikers can take 2 routs to the falls:
Easier, closer hikes are availible around Helena at The Ridge Trail, South Hills Trail System, and Mt. Ascension; all trails have great views of Helena and the surrounding area.
Local trail maps can be purchased at any of Helena's outdoor stores or at the Chamber of Commerce Building located at 225 Cruse Ave., Suite A.
Refrigerator Canyon video and images from early Spring.
Mount Ascension Video taken by Helena Tourism Business Improvement employee Heidi O'Brien early one beautiful Spring morning.
