Best Dog Friendly Trails near Red Lodge, Montana

Great hike. Definitely going back to check out all the lakes. There was a lot of traffic!

This is my favorite trail but the incline is grueling. Takes me about 1:45 to get to the top. I just hiked it yesterday and I think I’m good for the rest of the summer.

great hike ♡ a little longer hike for a day hike but nice gradual incline so it's very enjoyable on the way up and down. the lake was stunning and peacful. I highly recommend it and will go again.

Good views with a Good trail for beginners. We will go again

The lake itself is just a short walk away from the campground and has a great fire pit. I wasn’t able to do the whole loop due to time constraints but the views and wildflowers were wonderful! I hope to head back later in the summer and do the whole trail.

Great starter hike for our lazy pups. Beautiful wildflowers at the trailhead of loop one.

Trail is great! A steep incline most of the way, but if you take it easy, you’ll have no problem getting to the top.

There’s a great little look out point before you make the final turn to head toward what it says is the end of the trail. A great place for a snack or some lunch or pictures.

But we learned what this trail says is the “end” is just in the middle of the trail. It keeps going on and on. We didn’t venture too far past that because we had some friends with us and a bit of a time crunch. So we went 2 miles out, and turned around to come back.

Not sure if the trail is part of a much longer one or what, but the “end” could really be that lookout point.

What a nice and easy trail to hike!

Beautiful trail, runs along the river the whole time! Even got to see a moose! As stated earlier, poor trail markers. First 4 Miles were clear of snow, last mile still had a lot of snow on it, which made finding the turn off to the lake impossible. The view from the bridge was awesome!

Great for kids. Good fishing. Pretty views if you go off the trail and up into the woods. Bathrooms and nice benches to just relax and enjoy nature

The trail description should be updated because the trail now goes all the way to the parking lot at Red Lodge Mountain.

The new, improved trail makes it a great hike, albeit a longer one.

beautiful. my favorite place to fish.

great trail, for every level!!

We plan on returning with the kids. Great walk. Dog friendly. Very easy.

This is one of my favorite backpacking trips. Not very difficult. I spent 3 days doing this out and back because it was so beautiful. Day 1, I drove to the Lake Ford Trailhead from Great Falls, MT and immediately hit the trail. I found this trail to be a steady up-hill most of the way. I ended up spending my first night at Keyser Brown lake, in a nice open meadow next to the lake. Day 2 I made the short trip up to September Morn lake and once again made camp for the night. After setting up camp, I took the switchback trail up to Sundance Pass. Amazing views...absolutely incredible. Pictures do not do this trip justice. That night, after returning to camp, a furious thunderstorm blew through. The thunder really booms and echos off the mountain walls surrounding September Morn...and the hail that came down was a sight to see. Day 3 I woke up early and started the hike back to the Lake Fork Trailhead...I believe it was just about 10 miles from September Morn. I encountered more hail on my way out. Overall, it was a great 3 day trip. I loved camping next to the lakes. The elevation wasn't too challenging. I'll upload some pictures from my trip. This is a PERFECT beginner backpacker trip. Highly recommend this.

This is one of the better hikes I've been on. The views are stunning and well worth hiking the steep incline. Once you hit the plateau, you don't want to leave!

Snowline was around 8k feet.
(Side note: I wasn't able to record my entire hike; my phone battery went dead)

pretty, restrooms, parking, short walk but nice little lake

Lost Lake is a great trail, although can be hard to find if you don't know what you're looking for. If you make it to the bridge that is approximately 5 miles in, you have gone TOO far. The lost lake trail is about 300 yards before the bridge on the left. It is not marked, but is pretty well defined. It is a short (10 minutes or less) hike upwards, and then you stumble upon the lake. If you are walking back from the bridge, the trail will be on your right. Lake fork trail is beautiful! And there is water along the way so you don't have to worry about pups getting too hot. It is an equine trail, however, so make note of that if horse poo bothers you.

For the more adventurous spirits, if you are looking at the bridge there is a trail that goes off to your LEFT. (there are also some nice campsites to the left). That trail to the left goes through dense forest, and is at times primitive and not well defined (fallen trees, trail disappears in places, etc.) when you make it through the forest you will reach a BIG boulder field - my pup could not make it up the boulder field. Keep right and keep low, and there is a trail on the other side of the creek. Cairns will also direct you UP the boulder field directly, but this is a more difficult way. Stick to the right and follow the trail up the creek and eventually doing a boulder field scramble. This leads to Black Canyon Lake - a hidden gem!

Love the Red Lodge area.

Beautiful forested trail running by the creek. Well shaded. Gentle climb. Good access to water the whole way for dogs. Went on a Saturday and started at 10 am- saw 20 people the way out and at least twice that coming back but still had trail to ourselves most the hike. Beautiful lake at the end. We went to Lost Lake- our trackers have us at 11 miles round trip.

Great senior citizen warm up hike! Awesome Montana scenery! Hiked out/back to the Bridge, approx 10 miles - no Lost Lake sign in sight! Would be nice to have at least minimal signage!

Disregard my previous post. I'm looking at a satellite image and can see that there is apparently a spur that runs south off the main trail to Lost Lake sometime well before you get to the bridge. I think I may have seen this trail but there was no sign.

I enjoyed the hike but found the trail a bit confusing. As you push west along the creek you come to a bridge at about the 5-mile mark. I crossed the bridge and headed up the ridge for about 20-30min then came to a Y in the trail which was signed leading you further along the same ridge or dropping down to Keyser Brown Lake. Where was Lost Lake ? Other than this issue, I enjoyed the hike although it ended up at just over 12-miles. Any help/advice is appreciated !

We spent 3 days on this trip, which was a great choice for backpacking newbies! To wrap it up succinctly:
Day 1: short, easy, a good way to start off (West fork trailhead to Quinnebaugh Meadows)
Day 2: challenging
Day 3: long (from September Morn to the Lake Fork trailhead)

It's a beautiful trip. I hope to do it again someday!

lovely walk. could be a great 5 mile look for running. took my mother that is not big into hiking yet and she loved it. there is a short cut to make it a e mile loop, we opted for that just so she didn't get too tired in the end. Very Leisurely and enjoyable.

not too bad for a novice hiker! the fish in Lost lake were extremely tight lipped...all I wanted was one grayling... although I didn't hike it at a very good time for fishing! Make sure to stop at Broadwater for brookies.

Beautiful, gentle grade. Lots of places for our dog to get wet. Pack for changing weather conditions.

Great hike. We went about 3 miles in and the trail becomes a bit more shaded with switchbacks in a few places. Great waterfalls just a short detour off the main trail as you go up, and alongside the trail in he beginning of the shaded area. Lots of wildflowers in late July. Even the burned sections were growing a lot of brush and were gorgeous. Great views. Fun with the dog along too.

Trail is rocky but a relatively easy hike. My dogs were able to go off their leashes and explore. Only saw two other people on the trail.

Absolutely LOVED this hike. The closest lake is 5 miles, and it goes as far as 19 miles in. And even if you don't make it past the first lake, the hike is still well worth it. However, remember to pick up bear repellent. Closest place to get it is Red Lodge, MT.