Interactive Trail Map
Click around for information and descriptions of trails! Toggle different boxes for different kinds of trails and trail experiences! Check out recommended routes for ideas for short family adventures or all-day pursuits! There is something new for everyone to find with PPLT’s interactive trail map.
South Hills Trail Map
To buy our newest South Hills Trail Map, stop by the PPLT office, The Base Camp, Great Divide Cyclery, or Capitol Sports.
Tenmile Creek Park Trail Map
As part of our community conservation efforts, Tenmile Creek Park has been developed over the last few years.
Trail Information
Letter to the Trail Community from PPLT’s Board of Directors
Letter to the trail community:
Our Better Nature: How The Great Outdoors Can Improve Your Life
“When you have people who have a certain amount of access to nature and then you give them a bit more, you see better social functioning, you see better psychological functioning, and better physical health.” - Ming Kuo
Nuggets from Helena: ‘Go all, and go often’: The lure of Mt. Helena
Restoration and preservation — these words get batted around a lot these days, and they usually require significant effort from those who want to save threatened buildings or landscapes from destruction.
Volunteer
To give your time and energy to help maintain the trails, find our community work events here.
Spring into adventure with these trail etiquette reminders
This letter to the editor ran in the March 20, 2018 edition of the Independent Record.
Keep the trails happy! With spring finally here, we know folks are itching to get out on the trails. Here are a few trail etiquette reminders to consider as you head to the South Hills to hike, run and bike:
1. Get dirty.
If you find yourself encountering a muddy spot or puddle on the trail, go right through the middle of it. Stepping off the trail and going around muddy and wet spots widens the trail, damages natural resources and makes the problem worse. If you are unsure if the trails are too muddy to use, check the Prickly Pear Land Trust Facebook page for most up to date details on trail conditions.
2. Always stay on the trail.
Going off trail creates “social trails” that degrade natural resources and causes unnecessary resources to be expended to reclaim these trails. Some trails in the South Hills cross private property, and the generous landowners who provide for this access appreciate when we keep our impact concentrated on the trail surface.
3. Keep an ear open.
When listening to music or podcasts on the trails keep one ear free so you can hear approaching hikers, bikers and runners.
4. Yield to other trail users with a smile.
In general, bikers should yield to hikers and runners. When wanting to pass someone on the trail, a friendly “On your left!” is the best way to get someone’s attention. Assuming you don’t have two earbuds in, hearing those magic words is a nice indicator to calmly step off the trail to allow the faster moving trail user to pass. A smile and “Thank you” go a long way to keeping trail users happy when passing.
5. Be pet proactive.
Leash your dog in the parking lot and have your pet (cats and parrots too!) under voice control on the trail at all times. Pick up after your pet and be sure to pack the trash out with you.
Our trail system is a source of community pride and a place where all are welcome and valued. No matter your mode or speed of recreation, everyone has a part to play in keeping our trails a happy and positive place to be.
Evan Kulesa, Prickly Pear Land Trust
Andrea Opitz, Bike Helena
Eric Sivers, Montana Bicycle Guild
John Tietz, Helena United Cycling
Jesse Zentz, Vigilante Runners
Michael Jacobson, Helena Ultra Runners League
Trail Rules & Etiquette
City of Helena Parks and Open Space Lands
- Open to biking and hiking.
- Closed to motorized vehicles and horses.
- No shooting or hunting.
- No overnight camping.
- Keep dogs on leash when they are within 100 yards of trailheads or parking lots.
U.S. Forest Service Lands
- Open to use by hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
- Closed to motorized vehicles.
- Trails are open to hunting. However, many trails have special weapons restrictions (only archery, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader or crossbows are allowed). Check with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks for more information.
Whenever you’re on the trails, yield to others appropriately:
- Bikers yield to hikers and horses.
- Hikers yield to horses.
- If you encounter a horse, step downhill when yielding the right of way.
