I’ve watched a steady stream of hikers walk right past this lake without stopping, all of them focused on the miles still ahead toward Granite Peak, and I think every one of them missed something worth their time.
- Princess Lake sits about 8 miles up the West Rosebud trail, past Mystic Lake and Huckleberry Lake, marking the gateway to the Beartooth Plateau
- Most hikers treat it purely as a waypoint toward Granite Peak rather than a destination — waterfalls feed directly into the lake, and it deserves a longer look
- This guide covers the approach, why this spot serves as the standard access point to the Plateau’s interior, and what you’re missing if you rush past it
- Best visited as part of a multi-day trip into the Lake Plateau rather than a single ambitious day hike
The Gateway Everyone Walks Through
Princess Lake occupies a specific, important role in this valley’s geography: it’s the standard access point onto the Beartooth Plateau’s interior, an enormous, gently rolling tundra basin at roughly 10,000 feet holding dozens of lakes.
Most hikers who reach Princess Lake are here because it’s on the way to somewhere else, whether that’s Granite Peak itself or deeper into the Plateau country beyond.
I understand that impulse — when Montana’s highest peak is your goal, a lake along the approach can feel like a footnote. I’d encourage a different mindset. Princess Lake is worth treating as a genuine stop, not just a landmark you pass on your way past.
Getting Here: The Long Approach
Reaching Princess Lake means following the West Rosebud trail past Mystic Lake, itself over a mile long, then continuing past the Huckleberry Lake side trail junction, and pushing on for roughly another mile beyond that.
All told, I’d estimate about 8 miles from the main trailhead, depending on exact route and any side trips along the way.
This isn’t a casual day hike for most visitors, especially once you factor in the elevation gain accumulated over that distance. I’d treat Princess Lake as either a very long, ambitious day-hike destination or, more realistically, one stop within a multi-day trip that continues onto the Plateau itself.
Waterfalls Feeding Directly Into the Lake
This is the detail I think gets overlooked most by hikers rushing toward Granite Peak. Waterfalls feed directly into Princess Lake, dropping from the surrounding cliffs into the water itself rather than joining a separate stream system first.
I’ve stood at this lake’s edge and watched that water fall directly into the basin, and it’s a genuinely different visual experience from lakes where inflow arrives quietly through an unremarkable creek.
I’d budget real time here specifically to appreciate this feature rather than treating the lake as a five-minute rest stop before continuing on.
The Standard Route Onto the Beartooth Plateau
Beyond its own scenic merits, Princess Lake matters because of what it leads to. The standard access onto the Beartooth Plateau’s interior runs up from the West Rosebud trail, through Mystic Lake, to Princess Lake, and then onto the Plateau itself.
I’d treat a trip that continues past Princess Lake onto the Plateau as a two- or three-day undertaking rather than a single push, given the remaining distance and elevation involved.
If you want to genuinely experience the Plateau’s interior rather than just glimpse it from below, this is the route that gets you there.
Camping Near Princess Lake
Given the distance involved in reaching this lake, I’d plan on backcountry camping somewhere in this general area rather than attempting a same-day round trip from the main trailhead.
I’d research current backcountry regulations and any permit requirements for camping in this specific drainage before your trip [verify current backcountry camping regulations for the West Rosebud/Princess Lake area].
I’ve camped within view of Princess Lake once, specifically to catch morning light on the waterfalls feeding into it, and that early alpine glow made the whole extended approach feel entirely worth it.
Fishing Princess Lake
Fishing is possible here with a standard Montana license, and I’d treat it as a reasonable bonus activity given how few anglers make it out this far specifically to fish this lake rather than continue on toward Granite Peak or the Plateau.
I wouldn’t build an entire trip around Princess Lake’s fishing reputation specifically, but it’s a pleasant option if you have gear along regardless.
Granite Peak Context
For hikers using this route specifically to access Granite Peak, Montana’s highest point, I’d note that summiting requires serious mountaineering experience and preparation well beyond standard hiking.
Princess Lake and the broader approach through this valley get you into position, but the peak itself demands technical skill this guide doesn’t cover in detail.
I’d research Granite Peak’s specific route and difficulty thoroughly and separately if that’s your ultimate goal, treating Princess Lake as a waypoint on a much bigger undertaking rather than the primary destination in that scenario.
Wildlife Along the Approach
This entire valley, Princess Lake included, sits within genuine grizzly bear habitat, and I’d carry bear spray without exception on any trip out this far.
The remoteness that makes this such a rewarding destination also means help is genuinely far away if something goes wrong, which is exactly why standard backcountry precautions matter more here than at more accessible lakes closer to a trailhead.
What to Pack for This Trip
Given the distance and elevation involved, I’d pack for genuine backcountry travel rather than a standard day hike. A reliable water filtration system matters here, since you’ll be relying on natural sources throughout the approach, including the very waterfalls feeding Princess Lake itself.
Layers matter more here than at almost any other lake in this guide, given how much elevation you’ll cover and how variable weather can be across that distance.
I’ve started a morning in a valley-bottom t-shirt and ended the same day in full rain gear near the Plateau’s edge, and I’d plan for that kind of range as a matter of course rather than an exception.
A Lake Worth Building an Entire Trip Around
While most hikers treat Princess Lake purely as a waypoint, I think it deserves consideration as a legitimate standalone destination for a dedicated overnight trip. You don’t necessarily need to push onto the full Plateau or attempt Granite Peak to get genuine value from a visit here.
I’ve done exactly this once — a focused two-night trip with Princess Lake as the primary destination rather than a stop along a bigger route — and found it a genuinely satisfying trip in its own right, with time to properly appreciate the waterfalls and surrounding terrain without the pressure of covering additional miles the same day.
The Contrast With Lower-Elevation Beartooth Lakes
Compared to more accessible lakes like Glacier Lake near the Beartooth Highway, Princess Lake demands considerably more commitment but rewards that effort with a genuinely different character.
Where Glacier Lake delivers alpine scenery in a short, manageable package, Princess Lake delivers a fuller sense of remoteness and scale that only comes from a longer approach.
I’d recommend Glacier Lake to visitors with limited time, and Princess Lake specifically to those willing to invest a full multi-day trip in exchange for a considerably deeper Beartooth experience. See my Glacier Lake guide for that shorter, more accessible alternative.
Personal Tips / What I Wish I Knew
Don’t just walk past this lake on your way to somewhere else. I’ve regretted rushing past scenic stops before in favor of reaching a bigger goal, and Princess Lake’s waterfalls genuinely deserve a proper look.
Plan for multiple days if the Plateau itself is your goal. This isn’t a route to rush — the distance and elevation involved reward a slower, more deliberate approach.
Camp nearby if you want the best light on the waterfalls. Morning specifically delivers the kind of glow that makes the long approach feel worthwhile.
Research Granite Peak separately if that’s your ultimate destination. Princess Lake gets you into position, but the peak itself demands genuine mountaineering preparation this guide doesn’t cover.
Practical Info: Princess Lake
| Distance from trailhead | About 8 miles via the West Rosebud trail |
| Notable feature | Waterfalls feeding directly into the lake |
| Role in the range | Standard access point onto the Beartooth Plateau |
| Best approach | Multi-day trip rather than a single ambitious day hike |
| Fishing | Possible with standard Montana license; light pressure |
| Camping | Backcountry camping nearby; check current permit requirements |
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Princess Lake from the trailhead?
About 8 miles via the West Rosebud trail, passing both Mystic Lake and the Huckleberry Lake side trail junction along the way.
What makes Princess Lake distinctive?
Waterfalls feed directly into the lake from the surrounding cliffs, a genuinely striking feature that many hikers rush past without stopping to appreciate.
Does Princess Lake lead to Granite Peak?
Yes, this route serves as the standard approach toward Granite Peak, Montana’s highest point, though summiting requires separate mountaineering preparation.
Is Princess Lake a good day-hike destination?
For most hikers, no — the roughly 8-mile approach makes this better suited to a multi-day trip, either as a dedicated destination or as a stop en route to the Beartooth Plateau.
Can you camp near Princess Lake?
Yes, backcountry camping is possible in the general area, though I’d check current permit and regulation requirements before your trip.
Why Hikers Rush Past This Spot
I’ve thought about why so many hikers treat Princess Lake as a mere waypoint, and I think it comes down to sheer mental focus.
By the time you’ve covered 8 miles and gained significant elevation, your attention naturally narrows toward the remaining goal — whether that’s Granite Peak or the Plateau itself — rather than the scenery immediately around you.
I’ve been guilty of this myself on an earlier trip through this valley, pushing past Princess Lake with barely a glance because I was fixated on making camp before dark further up the trail. It wasn’t until a later visit, done more deliberately, that I actually stopped to appreciate what I’d walked past before.
A Longer Look at the Waterfalls
The waterfalls feeding Princess Lake vary in intensity depending on the season and how much snowmelt is still active in the surrounding high country.
Early summer typically brings the most dramatic flow, while later in the season, by August or September, the falls often thin out considerably as the snowpack feeding them diminishes.
I’d time a visit specifically for late June through July if the waterfalls are your primary interest, understanding that this also means dealing with more mosquitoes and potentially less stable trail conditions higher up if snow lingers into early summer.
The Broader Lake Plateau Experience
Once you push past Princess Lake onto the Beartooth Plateau itself, the character of the landscape shifts dramatically.
This is genuinely different terrain from the forested valley below — an enormous, gently rolling tundra basin with dozens of unnamed and named lakes scattered across it, views stretching in every direction with few natural landmarks to break up the scale.
I’d describe hiking onto the Plateau for the first time as one of the more disorienting, genuinely awe-inspiring experiences available anywhere in Montana’s mountains.
It doesn’t feel like a typical alpine basin so much as an entirely different kind of landscape layered on top of the range’s more familiar peaks and valleys.
Final Thoughts
Princess Lake deserves better than the quick glance most hikers give it on their way toward bigger goals further up the trail. Between the waterfalls feeding directly into the water and its role as the genuine gateway to the Beartooth Plateau, this is a stop worth building real time around rather than rushing past.
For the lake just before this one on the same trail, see my guide to Huckleberry Lake, or start from the beginning at Mystic Lake. For the nearest town hub, my Red Lodge guide covers services before or after your trip, and for bear safety in this remote valley, my Montana bear guide is essential reading.
For broader context on this range, my Montana mountain ranges guide covers how the Plateau fits into the bigger Beartooth picture. Check out the complete guide to Montana’s best lakes for the rest of the region.
