Hiking is a great way to spend time in nature while getting some fantastic exercise. It can also be very intimidating, especially if you’re a novice. Luckily, the Treasure State has plenty of easy hikes perfect for beginners. The Gardner Lake Trail is a prime example.
The Gardner Lake Trail is an easy 1.6-mile hike located near Beartooth Pass.
Ned Davis / alltrails.com The trail is close to Red Lodge, a great place to get lunch after your time in nature.
The trailhead is ranked as easy, and all you’ll have to encounter is a 1,000 foot change in elevation.
Bill Watson / alltrails.com And not only is it easy, it’s one of the more beautiful trails in the area.
This short hike is also the north entrance to a trail system called the Beartooth Recreation Loop.
Susannah Clark / alltrails.com Once you reach the lake, you can make the loop around Tibbs Butte hiking clockwise or counterclockwise. But that would be a more advanced 11 miles.
While the hike to the lake is easy and short, you’ll want to allow plenty of time for the return trip.
Susannah Clark / alltrails.com It’s not quite as easy to hike uphill, and the route is deceptively long.
You know you’re at the halfway point when you reach the beautiful Gardner Lake.
Ivy Fortmeyer / alltrails.com Take some time to relax and take in the views. You might even spot some brook trout in the water.
It tends to snow pretty early in the season in this area, so you may want to put this hike on your list for next spring or summer.
Ned Davis / alltrails.com In the summertime, the meadows fill with wildflowers.
This is the perfect trail for those who want to experience hiking but can’t commit to a lengthy trek.
Beth McGillvray / alltrails.com It’s also a nice, pleasant trail for an experienced hiker to tackle.
Have you experienced the Gardner Lake Trail? If you can’t make it to Red Lodge anytime soon, start with one of these easy hikes.
Ned Davis / alltrails.com
The trail is close to Red Lodge, a great place to get lunch after your time in nature.
Bill Watson / alltrails.com
And not only is it easy, it’s one of the more beautiful trails in the area.
Susannah Clark / alltrails.com
Once you reach the lake, you can make the loop around Tibbs Butte hiking clockwise or counterclockwise. But that would be a more advanced 11 miles.
Susannah Clark / alltrails.com
It’s not quite as easy to hike uphill, and the route is deceptively long.
Ivy Fortmeyer / alltrails.com
Take some time to relax and take in the views. You might even spot some brook trout in the water.
In the summertime, the meadows fill with wildflowers.
Beth McGillvray / alltrails.com
It’s also a nice, pleasant trail for an experienced hiker to tackle.
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