Lion Mtn Trailhead, Whitefish Trail

I cannot say enough great things about this trail system - great for hiking and mountain biking. In fact, I’d go as far as to say this is my all time favorite mountain biking area ever, even beating out some phenomenal biking in southern Utah.

This trailhead is the first of several that tie in to a huge network of trails (The Whitefish Trail system) that winds and flows through the forest to various lakes and overlooks and was meticulously planned and expertly built (by Terraflow Trails I believe) and it could not be more fun and scenic.

These trails are so well built that even the switchbacks are enjoyable - something I didn’t think possible, I typically hate switchbacks but actually look forward to these!

The other great thing about the expert building is that your basically become an expert rider! These trails really are for people of all skill levels - the banked turns basically turn for up so you can take these trails at speeds you normally wouldn’t be comfortable at and never feel out of control, and you can be confident enough in the trail system to take them at a fast speed even your first time knowing they won’t suddenly have an obstacle or sharp turn or drop that you need to be prepared for - you literally just flow through the forest.

And one of my personal favorite great things: it’s perfectly acceptable to ride with your (well-behaved voice-controlled) dog off-leash! And it has the perfect amount of elevation change throughout (that is so fun you hardly notice, by the way - no long sections of climbing) that me and the pups are actually pretty well matched - usually I have to do a dog ride and then another short ride for myself, but not here. This trail system is literally perfect. And there are great destinations for short rides or long rides. If you talk to some of the locals and are very nice, they can line you out on a perfect ride through basically the whole system and all the way strong the lake. Currently you need to know a couple little cutoffs, though they are working on building it all so that the trail system goes the entire way (with a bit of road riding).

Glacier National Park is my favorite place on earth, but since discovering these trails, I’ve found myself making trips to the area and doing nothing but ride these trails, I just can’t get enough. That’s saying a lot.

Hurray for trails! Whitefish has a fantastic trail system. This is great place for a walkabout or jog. Trails are accessible in winter as well! There is a sign with trail and safety information as well as a bathroom (pit toilet).

Great trail head in every way. Signage bathroom etc. It is small and on summer weekends you may be out of luck

A nice hike close to town. To access the trailhead, we took the exit for Whitefish State Park but then continued down Mountainside Drive. I'm not sure I would have spotted the turn off for the road directly off Hwy 93.

The trail was busy on an early September afternoon with a variety of users. Still very nice and a great introduction to the Whitefish Trails system.

Very nice trails. Not wheelchair friendly. Great place to run with your dog! Lots of sticker bushes/plants on the side of the trail so watch your little children's hands! I will be back!

This was a nice trail. Good forestry scenery not to heavily trafficked. I dont have a dog but it seemed to be a popular dog walking trail.

Well maintained WF trails. The legacy partners do a great job of keeping up and clearing obstructions.

Another beautiful day in nature. Trails are in good shape, icy in spots, but with Yaktrax it was fine. Bathrooms are always kept clean and trails are well marked.

Whitefish Trails are great. Mixed use and dogs off leash. Easy to access and a variety of distances and views.

This is a great trail and a tribute to this town. Dogs are allowed off leash, not sure about cats.

Super fun mountain bike trail. Swoopy. Just when you're tired of biking uphill, you're flying again.

Easy trail. The whole can go on this. Jogging stroller can be used, but it's too bumpy for the baby if it try to trail run with the stroller.