South Cottonwood Creek Trail is a 4.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Gallatin Gateway, Montana that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
March 14, 2021As expected, it’s slushy and icy on the trail. Yak Tracks will be your friend right now if you plan on hiking here anytime soon!
February 22, 2021Light traffic
February 13, 2021Good snowpack on trail today.
January 29, 2021Great trail. You jumpstart it with the biggest hill of the hike. Good news...you end it with a big downhill. The trail was easy to navigate. I recommend spikes in the ice and snow. Everyone had their dogs. That was so fun to see. One guy told me he keeps his on leash until after the barbed wire. It starts after the 4th switchback on the first hill and runs for a bit. But otherwise, they were all running free.
January 28, 2021January 19, 2021December 8, 2020Great little hike near town. Used microspikes in a couple spots on the way back down but probably could have managed without just fine. Lots of dog poop on the trail in the beginning :(
November 28, 2020November 22, 2020November 4, 2020Spectacular but icy
October 22, 2020October 13, 2020September 23, 2020September 22, 2020Beautiful hike through the forest next to Cottonwood creek. Super easy and only slight incline at the beginning.
September 17, 2020September 15, 2020Winding trail along the creek with little bridges. A bit of an uphill at the beginning, but otherwise not too strenuous.
September 2, 2020August 27, 2020August 20, 2020August 15, 2020Lots of nice people. Happy to be out and about!
August 11, 2020Love this trail.
August 10, 2020July 3, 2020Nice trail. Very easy to navigate. Great for kids!
July 1, 2020June 30, 2020June 27, 2020May 27, 2020A very easy, relaxing hike that follows a stream. Very popular and I think I was the only person hiking that didn’t have a dog. Takes about 5.5 miles to get to the meadow but the meadow is beautiful. I would strongly suggest bringing extra socks if you hike past the meadow, I payed the price of not bringing any extras and had to hike 6 miles back to the trailhead in soaking wet shoes and socks.
