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A Guide to Wheelchair Accessible Trails and Parks Near Butte, Bozeman, and Helena

Posted on: Oct 01, 2025

The Butte, Helena, and Bozeman areas offer some of the best wheelchair accessible trails in Montana, along with some unique amenities. From local parks (one with a wheelchair charging station!) to forested trails, you’ll get to experience the outdoors without worrying about accessibility barriers.

Wheelchair Accessible Trails in the Helena Area

Tenmile Creek Park

Thanks to the Prickly Pear Land Trust, Tenmile Creek Park includes the thoughtful addition of a wheelchair charging station. ADA accessible routes include the William Gruber Loop Trail and the Creekside Loop Trail.

  • Distance: 3 miles

  • Surface: Paved and dirt

  • Trail Type: Loop and connecting trails

  • Amenities: Wheelchair-charging station, handicap-accessible vault toilet

Portion of the Mount Helena Trail

The first half mile of the trail to Mount Helena is accessible, and takes you from the parking lot to a scenic viewpoint on the northeastern side of Mount Helena.

  • Distance: 0.5 miles

  • Surface: Gravel

  • Trail Type: Out-and-back

Spring Meadow Lake State Park Trail

The Spring Meadow Lake State Park Trail encircles the lake and features interpretive signs along the way. It’s located in western Helena and is a popular urban day-use park. Bring your fishing pole – there’s also an ADA accessible fishing dock.

  • Distance: 0.8 miles

  • Surface: Asphalt, crushed stone, wooden boardwalk

  • Trail Type: Loop

  • Amenities: ADA accessible fishing dock

Portion of the Trout Creek Canyon Trail

Limestone formations rise above the Trout Creek Canyon Trail in the Helena National Forest. The first mile of the trail is accessible with little elevation gain, and features a picnic table at the one-mile mark. Grab an interpretive brochure at the trailhead to learn more about the trail.

  • Distance: 2 miles

  • Surface: Dirt, crushed rock

  • Trail Type: Out-and-back

Bozeman Area Wheelchair Accessible Trails

All Abilities Trail

Located in the 30-acre open field of Sunset Hills (between Lindley Park and Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center), the All Abilities Trail was created in partnership with Gallatin Valley Land Trust. It's specifically designed for adaptive devices like hiking wheelchairs, adaptive mountain bikes, and other mobility aids.

  • Distance: 2.9 miles (1.68 miles at Sunset Hills and 1.22 miles at the Softball Complex)

  • Surface: Paved, gravel, and natural surface

  • Trail Type: Various

Story Mill Park Loop

The Story Mill Park Loop Trail provides views of the surrounding mountains and valley. The trail offers wildlife viewing opportunities and connects to the broader trail network.

  • Distance: 2 miles

  • Surface: Paved asphalt, crushed gravel, metal bridge with edge barrier

  • Trail Type: Loop

Gallagator Linear Trail

The Gallagator Linear Trail runs through the center of Bozeman, beginning near the Bozeman Library and ending at Sacajawea Middle School. The trail passes Bozeman’s Sculpture Park, a pollinator garden, the Museum of the Rockies, and more.

  • Distance: 2.5 miles

  • Surface: Paved

  • Trail Type: Point-to-point

Grotto Falls

Looking for an accessible trail with waterfalls? Look no further than Grotto Falls Trail in Hyalite Canyon! The trail offers one of Montana's most accessible waterfall experiences with beautiful mountain scenery.

  • Distance: 2.4 miles

  • Surface: Gravel or natural surface

  • Trail Type: Out-and-back

  • Amenities: Wheelchair accessible restrooms

Butte Area Wheelchair Accessible Trails

Silver Bow Creek Greenway

This urban greenway follows Silver Bow Creek and provides accessible nature access within an urban setting. The Silver Bow Creek Greenway Trail offers wildlife viewing opportunities and scenic views.

  • Distance: 6.1 miles

  • Surface: Paved asphalt

  • Trail Type: Point-to-point

Portion of the BA&P Trail

The BA&P Trail — which stands for “Butte Anaconda and Pacific Railway” — gives you the chance to learn about Butte’s mining history and affords stunning views of Butte. Park at the Granite Mountain Spectacular Mine Memorial to access the paved portion of the trail; while the majority of the trail is paved, the lower portion of the trail (south of World Museum of Mining) is gravel. This trail is hilly with about 800 feet of elevation gain.

  • Distance: 4.1 miles

  • Surface: Paved, gravel

  • Trail Type: Point-to-point

Ulrich/Schotte Nature Trail

You’ll get to see wetlands, a pond, and Blacktail Creek on this two-mile urban trail.

  • Distance: 2 miles

  • Surface: Paved

  • Trail Type: Point-to-point

More Wheelchair Accessible Trails in Montana

Fortunately, this list just scratches the surface! Here are some other places to find wheelchair-accessible trails in Montana:

Beyond Traditional Trails: Specialized Accessible Recreation

Camp Bullwheel - Ennis

Camp Bullwheel sits on the Madison River south of Ennis and is all about making fly fishing accessible for people with disabilities. They've got wheelchair-friendly rafts and adaptive gear — think one-handed fly rods, motorized reels, and other equipment that makes fly fishing possible for everyone.

All programs at Camp Bullwheel are completely free of charge. Plan your trip today by reaching out to David Poole, Ability Montana’s Recreation Program Manager, at dpoole@abilitymt.org.

Lewis & Clark Caverns - Whitehall

The Lewis & Clark Caverns offer an accessible route through the caves, called The Paradise Tour. While the entire tour isn’t accessible to wheelchairs, you’ll get to visit the Grand Finale Room, with an array of stunning stalactites, stalagmites and columnar formations.

Before You Go

Keep in mind that trail conditions change with the seasons and weather, so it's always smart to check current accessibility before you go. Summer-friendly trails can become tricky in winter with snow and ice, but that doesn't mean you're stuck indoors — there are plenty of adaptive winter activities (like skiing and ice skating) to keep you active year-round.

If you have questions about accessible trails in the Bozeman, Butte, or Helena areas, or want to learn more about our adaptive programs, contact your nearest Ability Montana location.


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