West Boulder Meadows

West Boulder Meadows is in the Custer Gallatin National Forest near Livingston, Montana. The area is south of Big Timber and part of the north end of the Absaroka Range.

This trail to West Boulder Meadows is about six miles round trip. It crosses both public and private property multiple times. Please be courteous and respectful of the property to ensure the public is still welcome.

It's an excellent choice for hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, climbing, and wildlife photography. The abundance of trout in the river makes it an ideal spot for fishing. There are caves and rock climbing opportunities that people looking to climb will appreciate. There are multiple places to set up camp so you can enjoy the area for a couple of days.

Hikers who want to venture further can hike another five miles up the trail to Falls Creek junction or try the off-trail trek to Lost Lakes above the meadows.

The trail and the destination are both beautiful and unique. We recommend bringing sunscreen and wearing layers. The first half of the hike is shaded, but there's no tree coverage from the sun on the second half.

Directions to the Trailhead:

• Follow highway 298 south from Big Timber for approximately 17 miles.
• Turn right onto West Boulder Road for 7 miles.
• Stay left on the West Boulder road for another 7 miles.