Lost Horse Canyonfall foliage
No reports yet this season for Bitterroot National Forest.
Right now in Lost Horse Canyon · September
- Lake Como pass season · May–Sep
3days to the next fall foliage seasonOct 1–31, Western Montana timing, per the Forest Service's Northern Region botanist: high alpine larch turns yellow-orange each October
Next 7 days
- Frost possible · low 34°FTonight, Wednesday Night
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 4:01 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Bitterroot National Forest through the year
- Lost Horse Guard Station winter rentalsJan–Mar
- Lake Como pass seasonNowMay–Sep
- Lake Como floating dock inMay–Aug
Best spots around Bitterroot National Forest
- Lost Horse CanyonGlacier-carved granite canyon up Lost Horse Road (FR 429)
- Lost Horse Observation PointPanoramic view of the Bitterroot Mountains above the canyon
- Lake Como Loop Trail8-mile loop with a waterfall at the lake's west end
- Blodgett CanyonTrail below towering cliffs and spires, 6 miles from Hamilton
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · US Forest Service, Alpine Larch in the Northern Rocky Mountains (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Schumaker Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Lake Como Recreation Area (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Lost Horse Canyon (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Lost Horse Guard Station (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Lake Como Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Blodgett Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Bitterroot National Forest in 2026?
We don't have local timing for Bitterroot National Forest yet. Western Montana timing, per the Forest Service's Northern Region botanist: high alpine larch turns yellow-orange each October: Oct 1–31. That's for the wider region, not this place alone, and not a forecast.
How is the fall color in Bitterroot National Forest right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 3 days (Oct 1–31, Western Montana timing, per the Forest Service's Northern Region botanist: high alpine larch turns yellow-orange each October).
When does the larch turn in the Bitterroots?
The Forest Service's Northern Region botanist says alpine larch above about 7,000 feet in western Montana turns yellow-orange each October, before the needles drop. From Missoula you can see it on the Bitterroot Mountains to the southwest.Source: US Forest Service, Alpine Larch in the Northern Rocky Mountains ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I drive Lost Horse Road in a regular car?
The Forest Service calls it a narrow, rough dirt road and recommends high-clearance vehicles. Schumaker Campground at Twin Lakes is free and first come, open until snow closes it.Source: US Forest Service, Schumaker Campground ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Do I need a pass at Lake Como?
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, vehicles need a recreation pass: $5 a day or $30 for the season. America the Beautiful passes count.Source: US Forest Service, Lake Como Recreation Area ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Bitterroot National Forest?
Lost Horse Canyon: glacier-carved granite canyon up Lost Horse Road (FR 429); Lost Horse Observation Point: panoramic view of the Bitterroot Mountains above the canyon; Lake Como Loop Trail: 8-mile loop with a waterfall at the lake's west end; Blodgett Canyon: trail below towering cliffs and spires, 6 miles from Hamilton.
What is Bitterroot National Forest like through the year?
Lake Como pass season (May–Sep), Lake Como floating dock in (May–Aug) and Lost Horse Guard Station winter rentals (Jan–Mar).