Overview

Built in the 1940s, Hyalite Canyon continues to draw visitors and locals who enjoy its year-round recreational possibilities and refreshing wilderness proximity to Bozeman, Montana. Hyalite Reservoir holds 8,000 acre feet of water and is used for Bozeman’s drinking water and Gallatin Valley irrigation. The Hyalite Drainage Recreational Area is surrounded by 10,000-foot mountain peaks, creeks, streams, lakes and numerous waterfalls.

Location

Hyalite Canyon is located 15 miles south of Bozeman, Montana, off of South 19th Avenue.

Activities

Hiking
Trails to Blackmore Lake 3.3 miles, Palisade Falls 1.2 miles, Grotto Falls 2.5 miles, History Rock 2.4 miles, Emerald and Heather Lakes 4.7 miles (East Fork of Hyalite Creek Trail), and the trail to Hyalite Lake 6.3 miles all rest in Hyalite Canyon.

• The Hyalite Challenge area includes six trail systems (including access to Grotto and Palisades Falls), a renovated rental cabin and several fishing piers all designed to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, families with small children and senior citizens.
• The Hyalite Peak Trail, starting at 7,000 feet, is fun for novice and experienced hikers. There are ten waterfalls along the way providing refreshing rest stops and photo opportunities. Snow is frequent on the trail until mid-July. From the 10,299-foot high peak, hikers can check out spectacular views of surrounding mountain ranges. 7.2 miles one-way.

Bicycling
Head south on Hyalite Canyon Road, a two-lane road that parallels Hyalite Creek. It’s a moderately difficult 10-mile climb to Hyalite Reservoir Ride where cyclists can cross the dam to the end of the paved road.

Camping
Hyalite Canyon’s three campgrounds (Hoodcreek, Chisholm, and Langhor) have: drinking water, vault toilets, fire rings, trash service, picnic tables.

Scuba Diving
Scuba classes frequently test their skills in Hyalite Reservoir before heading to ocean water for complete certification. Visibility varies from zero to 10-feet most of the time, depending on depth.

Fishing
Enjoy year-round fishing for brook trout, yellow cutthroat and arctic graylings on Hyalite Reservoir. Ice usually forms in late November, and ice fishing begins around Christmas time. Trout take is limited to 5 a day, and arctic graylings must be released.

Ice Climbing
The Hyalite Peak Trail is surrounded by high peaks and steep ridges. The waterfalls along the route add to ideal ice-climbing locations for winter climbers and make Hyalite a renowned ice climbing destination.