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.
Where to?
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
Smoke in the Hills
Posted:
- December 3, 2024
The Forest Service is taking advantage of the weather to get some prescribed burning done south of town starting today. You may see smoke south of the South Hills trails system if they are able to burn. Burning is the second stage of the thinning they’ve been doing throughout the South Hills. The thinning and burning is good for the health of the forest and will help slow any potential wildfires. We have to deal with some smoke now to avoid a lot of smoke later and to keep our town safe from wildfires. I’ll take that deal.
- Tim Lawrence, Trails and Parks Manager
Icy Trails
Posted:
- December 2, 2024
It’s pretty icy out on the South Hills trails this time of year, especially any trail on a north-facing slope or shaded gully. I’m thinking Prairie, 1906, 2006, and Eagle Scout. A friend recently thought out loud on one of these icy trails, “I should have brought my curling shoes.” I don’t know about that, but I’d recommend you bring your micro spikes because we all want to stay on the trail, even when it is compacted snow that is now ice.
Some areas that get more sun and so may stay clear are McKelvey and Hanging Draw out of Dump Gulch trailhead, the southern/eastern portion of 2006, and the highest section of Entertainment. There are always the flat expansive parks out in the valley, Tenmile Creek Park, The Grove, or the sunny trails of the Scratchgravel Hills. If you venture to the dark icy trails of the South Hills, please be prepared for ice!
- Tim Lawrence, Trails and Parks Manager
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 Makes 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
PPLT Hosts successful 2024 Harvest Moon Banquet and Auction, and more friends gave than ever before.
Trail season could be a springboard to larger public lands projects, and our growing trails program promises to bring our community conservation mission to more people across our region.
Prickly Pear Land Trust acquired Birdseye Ranch with funding from the Army’s REPI program. PPLT will manage the ranch for grazing, seasonal public access, and wildlife.
