South Hills Mountain Biking Trails

The South Hills are Helena's backyard. There are nearly nearly 80 miles of singletrack and trailheads in many neighborhoods, even downtown. The network is spread out across a series of four ridges that are separated by gulches.

It's not uncommon to venture out without seeing anyone else, but you should expect to encounter other trail users. Please be courteous with other users as you enjoy our trails. These open lands are a patchwork of public and private ownership, and good trail etiquette helps maintain and expand our access.

Welcome to North America's premier natural laboratory for testing tire performance on loose-over-hard conditions. The South Hills are Helena's backyard. With nearly 80 miles of singletrack and trailheads in many neighborhoods, even downtown, the South Hills trail network offers rides ranging from 3 to 50+ miles. The network is spread out across a series of four ridges separated by gulches.

It's not uncommon to go for a ride without seeing anyone else, but you should expect to encounter other trail users. Trail etiquette is an evergreen topic, so please ride with respect and be courteous with other users. Slow down when you encounter hikers, yield if you're approaching them from the front, and be pleasant. These open lands are a patchwork of public and private ownership, and good trail etiquette helps maintain and expand our access.

E-bikes aren't allowed on City of Helena or USFS trails in the South Hills. Sorry homie.

The South Hills are Helena's backyard. With nearly 80 miles of singletrack and trailheads in many neighborhoods, even downtown, the South Hills trail network offers day hikes ranging from 1 to 10+ miles. (Camping is not allowed on City land or on USFS sections adjacent to the city.)

These open lands are a patchwork of public and private ownership, and good trail etiquette helps maintain and expand our access. Don't cut switchbacks. Reconsider your hike if trails are soft, and stay on trail to avoid widening it. It's not uncommon to venture out without seeing anyone else, but you should expect to encounter other trail users. Please be courteous as you enjoy our trails - yield to overtaking users, whether on foot or bike. Remember that dogs must be under control at all times, and the City of Helena requires leashes within 100 yards of a trailhead.

The South Hills are Helena's backyard. With nearly 80 miles of singletrack and trailheads in many neighborhoods, even downtown, the South Hills trail network offers runs ranging from 1 to 40 miles. The network is spread out across a series of four ridges that are separated by gulches.

These open lands are a patchwork of public and private ownership, and good trail etiquette helps maintain and expand our access. Don't cut switchbacks. Reconsider your run if trails are soft, and stay on trail to avoid widening it. It's not uncommon to venture out without seeing anyone else, but you should expect to encounter other trail users. Please be courteous with other users as you enjoy our trails - yield to overtaking users, whether on foot or bike.

The South Hills are Helena's backyard. The trail network features nearly 80 miles of singletrack and trailheads in many neighborhoods, even downtown. The network is spread out across a series of four ridges that are separated by gulches.

Horses are not allowed on City of Helena trails, but they are allowed on the USFS trails farther south. Equestrians on these trails should be prepared to encounter other users, especially mountain bikers, runners, and hikers.

There are no motorized trails in the South Hills, only roads. Farther to the south, the Lava Mountain Trail is motorized.

There are no motorized trails in the South Hills, only roads. Farther to the south, the Lava Mountain Trail is motorized.

There are no motorized trails in the South Hills, only roads. Farther to the south, the Lava Mountain Trail is motorized.

The South Hills offer excellent snowshoeing opportunities whenever there is enough snow. More reliable snowshoeing options are MacDonald Pass (outside the groomed area) and Stemple Pass.

Mount Ascension and Mount Helena offer some popular glade skiing options on the infrequent occasions when Helena receives enough snow.

The South Hills offer excellent Nordic opportunities whenever there is enough snow. Deford Trail and the lower slopes of Mount Ascension are popular Nordic options. The rest of the trail system provides the general outline for challenging backcountry tours.

More reliable XC skiing options are MacDonald Pass and Stemple Pass.