Swan River Nature Trail
Swan River Nature Trail
4.5
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
31 within 3 miles
Attractions
22 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
87 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
23
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
mtzennmaster
Kapolei, HI1,527 contributions
May 2022
We were able to park at the end of Grand and walk the whole trail up the Swan past "The Big Rock", the dam and the lake. Very nice path and a very gentle grade. Some benches and even a nice set of Restrooms.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy B
Kalispell, MT9 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Lovely easy walk on a previous old gravel road. It is flat and shady so comfortable on a hot day. There are great vistas along the way of Swan River as you are about 30-40 feet up on a hill along the river. We saw women with strollers, families, dogs on leashes, couples and three people on bikes. It is 2 miles in and out. There is a bathroom halfway and three picnic tables along the way. The only caution would be: keep a close watch on any little children running loose as it would be easy for a child to tumble over the edge down a rocky cliff on the river side. There are no guardrails. You can access the trail from above The Bigfork Inn in the City of Bigfork and Park there or you can access it along the bridge over Swan River where kayakers frequently “ take out” - parking available either end.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CATTSAR
Provincetown, MA22,650 contributions
Feb 2020
This is not a hike but a great trail to walk along and view the Swan River. The trail is flat and wide and varies in height above the river. It is carved into the mountain so you look up the mountain and down to the river. You will notice some of the rock formations are an interesting part of the trail. However, though it is fairly well groomed, it is often muddy with rain and melting snow, plan accordingly. The total walk out and back is about four miles and there are benches, picnic tables and even a bike rack along the way. There is also a set of rest rooms mid way down. The trail is accessible from Grand Drive on the west side and Swan River Road on the east side. Great part of an afternoon in Bigfork.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DunRovin444
Colorado Springs, CO32 contributions
Sep 2021
Starting trailhead right off a main street in Big Fork. Three mile out and back hike on old Swan River Dam road. Starting out has great overlook views of Swan River. Clean public restrooms at the halfway mark. Don't miss the cut off trails to visit the Swan Reservoir Dam spillway.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine C
2 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
By Montana standards, this is an "urban" trail. However, I have seen bears by this trail and we have had numerous mountain lion sightings. Please don't let small children and small dogs run loose. Have bear spray. Be especially careful when walking at dawn or dusk. In the 15 years I've lived in Bigfork, I've never heard of anyone being attacked by a wild animal on the Swan River Nature Trail, but be cautious anyway. Montana is full of wild creatures that can hurt you and that's a quick way to ruin a nice vacation.
Written June 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CATTSAR
Provincetown, MA22,650 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
This is not really a hike but an easy walk along the Swan River. Originally built in 1904 as the main road between Swan Valley and Bigfork, it is now used strictly for non motorized recreation. On this mild March day there was quite a bit of pedestrian traffic out walking or walking dogs, as well as children biking. The walk is easy with no appreciable elevation gain It is carved into the hillside so it slopes up on one side and down to the river on the other. It is worth noting some of the rock formations. It is mostly shaded by large pines, and there is enough mud this time of year that appropriate footwear  is needed. It is roughly four miles out and back and can easily be done in under two hours at a leisurely pace. There is an outhouse style bathroom along the trail as well as benches, picnic tables and garbage cans.Â
Written March 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flatheadviking
Sedona, AZ9 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
I often take guests here for an easy hike. It overlooks the Swan River and is one of the nicer hikes especially if you are not wanting to work to hard. The trail is level and not rocky.
Written July 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lou M
Golden, Canada40 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
This is an abandoned gravel road, 2 miles long, that runs along the Swan River, and has been improved into a level walking path with a wildflower guide. A remarkable pit-toilet at the half-way mark doesn't smell and holds a book exchange. Dogs, horses and bicycles are welcome, and several paths lead to the water so the animals may have a refreshing drink or quick dip.
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maraleerose
Sioux Falls, SD18 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We road this trail after dinner and it was perfect. We were staying near the trail and it was easy to ride on a full belly. We loved the scenery and the wildlife along the river. This trail is easy for all ages. We saw hikers, joggers, and bikers. Highly recommend.
Written August 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamiemc7
Susanville, CA170 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
It had rained a little bit this morning but still a great walk. We took one of the side trails and it took us right down to the river. Beautiful!
Written May 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The trail starts up the hill from the Bigfork Inn in Bigfork. There is parking on the side of the road near the start of the trail. The street is called Grand Dr. Check Google maps.
Written July 22, 2019
Showing results 1-1 of 1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing