On a boomer road trip to Fishtail, Montana, Alan and I discovered that the hiking opportunities in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness are some of the best we have ever experienced. And that’s especially true of Mystic Lake Trail (approximately 6 miles round trip).
Where is Mystic Lake, Montana?
MYSTIC LAKE & LITTLE SIX APP. Unlock access to exclusive in-app offers, promotions and Free Slot Play rewards! DOWNLOAD THE MYSTIC LAKE & LITTLE SIX APP. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. Good to Know: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Situated in the Prior Lake, the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is a three-star hotel and casino complex that is open for 24 hours daily whether it is for booking rooms or playing games Wi-Fi and parking is available for free at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Prior Lake.
Tucked into Montana’s Yellowstone Country, just north of Yellowstone National Park, hiking to Mystic Lake includes alpine scenery, a white-water filled river and rewarding vistas that provide plenty of photo opportunities. And you don’t have to hike the entire trail to enjoy the show.
Directions to Mystic Lake: Driving I-90 east of Bozeman or west of Billings, exit at Columbus, MT. Turn south on MT-78 N and follow this route to Nye Rd. (MT-419). After driving through Fishtail, turn left onto West Rosebud Road and the 17-mile drive to Mystic Lake.
From my perch on the deck of Mystic Rose Cabin near Fishtail (no longer for rent, start your lodging search here), I noticed an unusual amount of cars towing boats and camper traffic turning left onto West Rosebud Road.
It wasn’t long before I put the coffee cup down, took my bare feet off the railing, laced up the hiking shoes and convinced Alan to drive 14 miles down the dirt road to see where everyone was going. It turned out to be another scenic Montana road leading past Emerald Lake campground to our third beautiful hike of this road trip.
Hiking Mystic Lake Trail
The Mystic Lake Trailhead appeared to be a little more developed than the ones we experienced on the hike to Elk Lake or the Stillwater Trail. Perhaps it was the larger campground, two lakes for fishing—Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake—or the presence of a hydro-electric dam.
But it didn’t take long, maybe a half a mile or so, before we were walking through the Custer Gallatin National Forest, leaving signs of civilization behind us. I chattered away in an effort to scare off any bears that might be hiding in the undergrowth. But that was a needless worry.
The trail was well-traveled, much more so than our previous two hikes. Family groups, fishermen and a group of friends hiking with their dogs—all were headed for Mystic Lake or beyond. What we didn’t see were the deer, mountain goats, elk, moose, bear or bighorn sheep that call this part of the Stillwater drainage home.
Now that we are more experienced Montana hikers, Alan and I always carry bear spray on the trail. Need to gear up? Check out our favorites at the My Itchy Travel Feet hiking gear shop.
Once the trail officially entered the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, it began to gain elevation—the trail gains 1200 ft. in all. After climbing out of the forest, we looked up to see a series of switchbacks that traversed a boulder field.
A view of Mystic Lake was just beyond that stony obstacle, so other hikers told us. We didn’t reach that rewarding scene because this is where we stopped—two-thirds of the way there.
One lesson that Alan and I have learned during our boomer adventures is to listen to our bodies, appreciate what we can do and know when to call it a day. So we sat on a rock overlooking the valley, enjoyed the effort it took to get there, chatted with passing hikers and lingered for some photography fun.
So many hikes, so little time. Make the most of your visit to Big Sky Country by checking out our favorite Montana Hiking.
What did we miss at Mystic Lake?
If Alan and I had continued up the rocky switchbacks, we would have arrived at the deepest and longest lake in the Beartooth Mountains. Once at the shore, bring out your fishing pole to fish for rainbow trout. Hiking the 3-mile trail that encircles Mystic Lake is another option.
To fully appreciate a Mystic Lake hike, you need to begin early in the day because the boulder field heats up on a sunny day. I recommend hiking poles. Years ago, a young boy scout lost his footing on this part of the trail and fell to his death. You’ll also find snow banks early in the season so plan your hike for June or even later in the summer.
We found a copy of Day Hikes in the Beartooth Mountains on the bookshelf at Mystic Rose Cabin. Written by Robert Stone, the book gives excellent description and advice on hiking Mystic Lake Trail as well as many other trails in the area. We’ purchased a copy as soon as we got home in anticipation of the next visit to Fishtail, Montana.
On our next visit, I’ll skip the morning cup of coffee on the cabin deck so that we arrive at the trailhead sooner. Next time, I’ll be dipping my itchy travel feet in the cold waters of Mystic Lake.
Things to do near Mystic Lake, MT
You won’t be bored in Yellowstone Country. Here are a few of our favorite things to do:
- Visit Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park
Mystic Lake
Need information on Montana travel? Start with our Montana Travel Planner.
Save to Pinterest
Mystic Lake- Beartooth Mountains
Nowhere else in the Beartooths offers the unique opportunity to see a hydroelectric dam in action, while at the same time enjoying the surrounding wilderness. Although the lake itself is not within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, most of the trail and surrounding area is. That won’t stop you from enjoying Mystic Lake, the power company that controls the dam has had minimal impact on the lake itself. Other than the dam, and a small house by the dam, the lake is in the same condition that Mother Nature left it (albeit a little bigger).
From the trailhead, the hike starts at the hydroelectric plant. Going uphill from there, the trail continues to climb through mature Lodgepole Pine forests with the occasional Aspen. This is the toughest part of the trail, with the steepest grade. The trail continues over a sturdy bridge (crossing the West Rosebud Creek), and weaves in and out of Lodgepole Pine stands, and Aspen stands. Along the way, you can appreciate the need for preservation of this forest, as there have been numerous travelers that have carved their initials into the Aspen trees. This is forbidden by wilderness area rules, as well as Custer National Forest regulations. Yet, there is always a select group of individuals that seem to enjoy ruining such a pristine forest. Once you leave this scarred part of the trail behind, you enter a rock field.
This rock field is a bear to cross, during mid-day on a hot day. Do yourself a favor and plan your hike so that you pass this field either in the early morning or in the late afternoon. Otherwise, if you drink as much water as I do when it’s hot, you’ll need to pack an additional water bottle. This rock field is approximately a mile long and contains a good number of switchbacks. As you climb, be sure to take plenty of pictures, though. One of the most scenic parts of this hike is the view of the West Rosebud valley. You can also easily see the pipeline that is used for the hydroelectric plant, from this point on the trail.
Mark E. Vonseggern’s plaque
When you are crossing this rock field, pay particular attention to where you place your footing. In 1979, a Boy Scout trooper named Mark E. Vonseggern fell from a spot on the rock field and perished. There is a plaque on the trail, near the trailhead, that remains today. This is a reminder that although the wilderness is a fun place to recreate in, it is still a deadly environment. The rock field into Mystic Lake is especially treacherous in the early season. Large snowbanks can block the trail in the early season, leading to accidents. For inexperienced hikers, I recommend hiking this trail from June-August only.
After the rock field, you hike into a small stand of Lodgepole Pine. There are a couple of nice places to rest at this spot if you’re hiking this trail in the early afternoon. Pushing on, you are greeted with one last reminder from the forest service- please do not camp closer than 300 feet (100 yards) from Mystic Lake. This rule is essential in this area since this trail is one of the busiest trails in the Beartooths. Once you move past this last reminder, you are greeted with one of the most beautiful overlooks in the Beartooths- Mystic Lake. Rest at this overlook and take in the beauty of the nearby Tempest, Mystic, and Granite Peak mountains.
Mystic Lake is the deepest lake in the Beartooths, at more than 300 feet. Also, it is the largest lake in the Beartooths, at over 2 miles long (the way the crow flies). The trail wraps around the lake for an additional three miles once you are down at the lake level. I highly recommend walking this trail, as it is a gorgeous trail that is in excellent condition. It has a fair share of hills as well, so it isn’t a boring three-mile hike.
Fishing at Mystic Lake is excellent, and although the Rainbow Trout are small (6-8 inches), they are tons of fun. The Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks keeps Mystic Lake stocked with Rainbow Trout, which are usually easy to catch. I have a few personal favorite fishing spots at Mystic Lake, one of which being close to one of the several small islands that are just tens of feet from the shore. Another excellent fishing spot is at the inlet of the lake, which although it adds more distance to your hike (about 3 miles), it’s worth it.
Mystic Lake is a fabulous spot for camping. Although the lake receives high use in the summer months, the large size of the lake helps to thin out some of the crowding. Do yourself a favor, and pitch your tent after about a half-mile from the lake outlet. Few people hike past the first half-mile of the trail, and the campsites there are plentiful. Make sure that if you do camp at Mystic Lake, you practice zero-impact camping.
Once you’re at Mystic Lake, you’re surrounded with possible day hike trips. If you’re a climber, you can join the legions of climbers that tackle Granite Peak. If you’re a fisherman, you can fish nearby Silver Lake, Island Lake, and Huckleberry Lake. If you’re a hiker who appreciates a challenge, you can hike to Froze to Death Plateau, and spend an hour taking in the scenic vistas (yes, the scenery is worth the tough hike). Regardless of your final destination, or activities at the lake, be sure to enjoy the scenery at Mystic Lake. Most importantly, be sure to help preserve the view by picking up any trash that you see.
Pictures from Mystic Lake, and the Trail
Bighorn Sheep on Trail to Mystic Lake | Mystic Lake, and Island Lakes, from the Froze to Death Plateau |
My Son’s First Fish- at Mystic Lake | |
Mystic Lake in Late May | |
Rock Field on Trail to Mystic Lake |
Directions to the Trailhead
From Absarokee, head south of town on Highway 78. Turn right a couple of miles outside of Absarokee, onto Highway 419 (there will be a gas station at this turn). Drive down Highway 419 for 6 miles, passing through Fishtail. Once you drive through Fishtail, drive one more mile down Highway 419, and then turn left onto West Rosebud Road. Follow this road for seven miles, turning left at the sign to Mystic Lake. Travel down this gravel road for about 14 miles (passing Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake), and park at the trailhead. This is the end of the road (the rest of the road is closed to the public), and the trailhead is easy to find.
Mystic Lake Casino Prior Lake Mn
Map to the Mystic Lake Trailhead
Mystic Lake Casino Logo
codepeople-post-map require JavaScript