Trails
From the Continental Divide to East Helena, the Prickly Pear Valley offers trails for hikers, bikers, skiers, and wildlife lovers. Explore more than 80 miles of singletrack in Helena’s South Hills. Head to Tenmile Creek Park or East Helena to enjoy accessible trails and meandering creeks. Hike bike, or ride in the Scratchgravel Hills. Challenge yourself on the iconic Continental Divide Trail as it traverses stunning ridges and working forests.
happy trails guide
Filter by Location
Mt. Helena Ridge and Wakina Sky Loop
- Mount Helena, Wakina Sky
Helena Summit Tour
- Mount Helena
Mt. Helena Ridge Trail
- Mount Helena
William Gruber Loop
- Helena Valley
Rodney Ridge Loop
- Rodney Ridge
Le Grande Cannon
- Mount Helena
Eddye McClure East Trail
- Mount Ascension
Find and Download PPLT Trail Maps
South Hills Trail Map
- Digital: Download the 2025 South Hills Trails Map from Avenza.
- Print: Buy the 2025 version of the South Hills Trails Map from our Online Shop. Or pick up a copy at these local retailers — The Base Camp, Capital Sports, Big Sky Cyclery, and Great Divide Cyclery.
Trail Etiquette for Happy Trails
Happy Trails are fun, welcoming, sustainable, and safe for all users. Trail etiquette makes for happy trails for everyone.
- Be Kind
Slow down and communicate clearly. Be the change you want to see on the trails. Never yell at or intimidate others.
- Right of Way
Bikes always yield to hikers and horses, even when traveling uphill. Downhill bikes yield to uphill bikes.
- Be Cautious
Ride in control, know your limits, and give others space.
- All Ears
Always keep one ear free so you can listen for traffic and hear requests to pass.
- Leave No Trace
Pack out your garbage, food, and dog waste. Let’s keep our trails and public lands clean.
- E-Bikes
Class 1 e-bikes are allowed at Tenmile Creek Park, Prickly Pear Park, The Grove, and Centennial Park. They aren’t allowed in the South Hills trail system, the Scratchgravel Hills, or on singletrack in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
- Respect the Trails
Stay on the trail in all conditions. If you can’t because of ice or snow, or if you’re creating tracks or ruts in mud, turn around. Trail maintenance is costly!
- Wildlife
Don’t approach, harass, or feed any wildlife. Leash dogs when wildlife is present. Carry bear spray and avoid traveling on trails at dawn, dusk, or night.
Happy Tails
- Dogs must be under voice control at all times.
- For everyone’s safety, leash your dog when wildlife is present or when trails are busy.
- Keep dogs leashed within 100 yards of trailheads and parking lots and follow all leash rules.
- There’s no poop fairy. Pick up after your dog every time they poop and carry out their waste.
Land Managers
City of Helena
The City of Helena is the land manager for approximately 40 miles of trails in Helena’s South Hills. These trails are primarily located on Mount Ascension and Mount Helena, which are both city parks. Prickly Pear Land Trust has donated over 800 acres in these parks to the city. From 2001 to 2022, PPLT was the city’s trail maintenance partner. Since 2023, the city has been responsible for 100% of trail maintenance on city trails.
Open Lands Manager
Brad Langsather 406-447-8454 [email protected]
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
The Forest Service manages public lands in the South Hills, the Elkhorn Mountains, the Mac Pass area, and the Big Belt Mountains. In the South Hills, they manage the Mount Helena Ridge Trailhead and about 30 miles of trails. Since the early 2000s, PPLT has partnered with the Helena Ranger District on trail maintenance.
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management manages over 5,000 acres in the Scratchgravel Hills north of Helena, as well as informal recreation areas at the Spokane Hills and McMaster. Recently the BLM approved a plan for approximately 30 miles of new trails at the Scratchgravel Hills and signed an agreement with the Montana Bicycle Guild to build and maintain this new system.
City of Helena
The City of Helena is the land manager for approximately 40 miles of trails in Helena’s South Hills. These trails are primarily located on Mount Ascension and Mount Helena, which are both city parks. Prickly Pear Land Trust has donated over 800 acres in these parks to the city. From 2001 to 2022, PPLT was the city’s trail maintenance partner. Since 2023, the city has been responsible for 100% of trail maintenance on city trails.
Open Lands Manager
Brad Langsather 406-447-8454 [email protected]
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
The Forest Service manages public lands in the South Hills, the Elkhorn Mountains, the Mac Pass area, and the Big Belt Mountains. In the South Hills, they manage the Mount Helena Ridge Trailhead and about 30 miles of trails. Since the early 2000s, PPLT has partnered with the Helena Ranger District on trail maintenance.
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management manages over 5,000 acres in the Scratchgravel Hills north of Helena, as well as informal recreation areas at the Spokane Hills and McMaster. Recently the BLM approved a plan for approximately 30 miles of new trails at the Scratchgravel Hills and signed an agreement with the Montana Bicycle Guild to build and maintain this new system.
happy Trails blog
In the Helena Valley, spring often arrives along the water. Snowdrifts recede from shaded banks, creeks swell with runoff, and willows begin to leaf out. Against the sound of moving water are the high, clear notes of migratory songbirds moving through the trees.
Since 2000, we’ve been gathering in the South Hills to kick up dust, chase personal bests, and celebrate the open lands that make Helena home. Whether you’re an alum who heard the first starting gun or a first-timer running for a cause, you’re part of the Happy Trails community.
This National Trails Day, 31 volunteers gathered at Prickly Pear Park to help bring a brand-new loop trail to life.