About Backyard Montana

Our Mission

Backyard Montana helps people build a deeper relationship with Montana through stories, photography, practical guidance, and careful observation.

Our Story

Backyard Montana began as a project to make local trails easier to discover, with an interactive map connecting people to places to explore. Over time, as our own relationship with the outdoors evolved, so did the purpose of the project. What started as a resource for finding trails has grown into a space for sharing stories, photography, practical guidance, and observations that encourage a deeper connection to Montana’s wild places.

Two hikers sitting on rocky alpine terrain above a mountain lake in Montana, wearing long-sleeve sun shirts, hiking pants, and a sun hat with rugged peaks in the background.

Meet the People

We’re Valerie and Mitch. We spend much of our free time backpacking, hiking, skiing, and exploring Montana and beyond.

Backyard Montana began as a place to document our adventures, but over time it became something more. While you’ll still find trip reports, our goal isn’t to tell you exactly where to go. It’s to share the stories, lessons, and gear that have shaped our life outdoors in Montana. Hopefully it inspires you to build a deeper connection with the places you explore, wherever they may be.

What You’ll Find Here

Stories

Experiences from the trail and life outdoors.

Backpacking trail through beargrass meadow below the Chinese Wall in Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness.

Guides

Practical itineraries and planning resources.

Standing on a rocky overlook with mountain views above an alpine lake in Montana.

Gear

Equipment we’ve tested or used after years of use.

A backpacker cooking breakfast at a backcountry campsite with a lightweight backpacking tent in the background.