FIRST PLACE: Lava Lake
SECOND PLACE: Drinking Horse Trail
THIRD PLACE: Hyalite Lake Trail

We love Lava Lake because it’s strenuous, but rewarding. And we love it despite the scarce parking. Find the mountain lake after a 3-mile hike into the Lee Metcalf WIlderness, starting near the Gallatin River and running along Cascade Creek with 1,600 feet of elevation gain. What can be better in the summer than a swim in the cool mountain lake after the climb? Lava Lake is also a great spot for another of our favorites: fishing.