Fairy Lake in Montana 2025
A gorgeous lake surrounded by mountains and forests
Best time: mid-July–mid-September
Fairy Lake is a moody green lake located in the northwestern section of the Gallatin National Forest, in Gallatin County, Montana. It is nestled at the base of the Sacagawea Peak in the Bridger Mountains in the south-central part of the state. With a considerable elevation of 7,557 ft (2,303 m), the best season to hike Fairy Lake Trail is during the warm time of the year from mid-July through mid-September. It's also a popular destination for fishing, camping, and swimming. In winter, the road to the lake is impassable.
Fairy Lake Trail can be accessed from Fairy Lake Road not far from Bozeman, Montana. A 1.2-mile (1.9-kilometer) trail to the lake features wildflowers in the summer and the rope swing mid-way across the lake. If you plan to spend the night there, the lake is close to the Fairy Lake Campground that doesn't have a reservation system. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to arrive early.
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