more stats

5.9 miles

Distance

1,201 ft

Climb

-840 ft

Descent

01:20:29

Avg time

359 ft

Altitude change

5,992 ft

Altitude min

7,058 ft

Altitude max

6,022 ft

Altitude start

6,381 ft

Altitude end

1.1%

Grade

-49.4%

Grade max

27.3%

Grade min

3 miles

Distance climb

2 miles

Distance down

2,333 ft

Distance flat

01:20:29

Avg time

Johnson Canyon Details

Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Bridger Range
Bozeman, Montana
Ref Number

#545
AKA

Johnson
Difficulty Rating

Blue Rate
Voted Difficulty

Blue (1 vote)
Local Popularity
75 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 40 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
- 5 in Horseback
Global Ranking
#78417 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #123341 in Trail Running
- #114772 in Hiking
Hiking SAC Scale

T1 Hiking
Trail Type

Singletrack
Bike Type

AM, XC, Fat
Direction

Both Directions
Popular In Reverse
Climb Difficulty

Blue
Physical Rating

Moderate
Trail Visibility

Always easy to follow
Family Friendly

Yes
Dogs Allowed

Yes
eBike Allowed

No
TTFs on Trail

Bridge
Ride in Rain

Yes
Year Opened

2015
Land Owner

USFS

This trail was cut during the summer of 2016 and has since become popular for beginner to intermediate riders. It is also well known and travelled in the Springtime as it is one of the first Gallatin Valley trails to melt out. It starts at the Johnson Canyon trailhead and gains altitude at a nice mellow rate. The trail is a comfortable width (~3ft) and is mostly free of rocks and roots. As you continue to climb up towards the top, scenic views will present themselves for brief moments before the trail disappears back into the forest. This is a great trail for beginner to intermediate riders looking for a fun but still challenging trail. Be sure to check your speed in the switchbacks, as well as some of the curved sections that weave through trees right off the trail. These sections are either flat with no berm/bank or are off-chamber and will want to pull your wheels off the trail. It is a steady climb from the trailhead and gains about 1,300 feet over 4.5 miles. It is recommended to stop and turn around at 4.5 miles unless you are willing to climb back up the following downhill, which is much steeper than the initial climb. If choose to venture beyond 4.5 mile marker you are greeted with very fast, exposed, steep descent into North Cottonwood canyon. Once you hit the bridge at the bottom of the descent into North Cottonwood you will need to turn around and head back from the way you came.

source: ...

Access Info

From the Johnson Canyon parking head uphill at the Northeast end of the lot and you will find the trail sign to the left before the seasonal closure gate on the Johnson Canyon motorized use road.

Disclaimer

Please be aware of creek crossings in Spring runoff

Trail Supporters

The Dirt Concern
Sponsor
Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association
Sponsor

Local Trail Association

Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association (www.southwestmontanamba.org)
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support
trail development & maintenance.
Donate to earn trail karma!

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week

0 rides

6 Months

14 rides
12 miles avg distance

All

178 rides
Last: Jun 13, 2026

c1	c2	c3	c4
January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

update trails status or condition

Johnson Canyon Trail Reports

status	date	description
	Jun 16, 2026 @ 9:51pm (America/Denver) 3 days	reporter two small trees out by North Cottonwood. One 4 miles in was cleared by usfs. Could maybe do last two with hand saw.
	Jun 11, 2026 @ 12:13pm (America/Denver) Jun 11, 2026	There’s a tree down on the trail about 4 miles in. You can go up and around it to the right but the tree covers the entire path.
	Apr 9, 2026 @ 7:17am (America/Denver) Apr 9, 2026	Johnson is in its classic aspect dependent melt out. Northern aspects after the bridge are 3-6 inches of dense snow. From the TH to the bridge is...
	Feb 27, 2026 @ 1:36pm (America/Denver) Feb 27, 2026	Good until downed tree 4 miles in, then it’s deep wet snow. Otherwise it’s 70% dry and some random snow (1/2 in) here and there. It’s doable
	May 28, 2025 @ 7:28pm May 28, 2025	Rode to overlook May 28th. Clear with no mud or snow, in excellent shape to that point.