Greenough Lake Trail

Overview

A quick, pretty wander in the Rock Creek corridor, the Greenough Lake Loop is an easy 3.5‑mile TOTAL loop with about 285 feet of gain. Expect mellow grades, a small lake, shaded forest, and glimpses of the Beartooth Range. It’s popular with families and casual hikers—pleasant, not epic—and a nice leg‑stretcher along the Beartooth Highway.

Route and Terrain

The loop mixes scenic singletrack beside Rock Creek and Greenough Lake with a less‑romantic stretch on a gravel road. If you want the best of it, hike from the campground along the creek and lake, then turn around where the trail meets the road to skip dust and passing vehicles. Dogs are allowed but must stay leashed. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.

Logistics and Access

Start from Greenough Lake Campground, about 12 miles south of Red Lodge off US‑212. Turn onto Rock Creek Road (Forest Road 2421) and drive 1 mile to the campground entrance; park in the campground lot. Amenities include vault toilets and a hand‑pump for water. Day hiking the loop doesn’t require a special permit; standard national forest rules apply. There’s no cell coverage reported here, so make plans before you lose signal.

Best Time to Hike

Late spring through early fall (roughly May–September) offers the friendliest conditions. Early season can bring lingering snow, ice, or mud, and the lake may still be frozen. The Beartooth Highway is famously weather‑sensitive and typically opens and closes with the seasons—always check current status before committing to the drive, especially around shoulder months or during storms.

Geology and Context

You’re walking through one of North America’s deep‑time neighborhoods: ancient high‑grade metamorphic rocks uplifted by later mountain‑building, then carved by Ice Age glaciers into broad U‑shaped valleys and lake‑studded benches. It’s a gentle hike with big geologic backstory. The campground setting also makes this an easy add‑on to a Beartooth Highway road day.

Tips

• Make it better: do the lakeside/creek section as an out‑and‑back to avoid the gravel road segment.
• Bears are common—store food properly at the campground and keep spray accessible.
• Want more miles? The local trail network links Parkside → Greenough → M‑K along Rock Creek, so you can stitch short pieces together for a longer outing.
• The lake is popular for fishing and summer swims; bring a towel if that’s your vibe.