Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Alder, Montana

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Barton Gulch

The Barton Gulch trail is a scenic drive that runs across the northern reaches of the Gravelly Range in Montana. Explore its winding two-tracks, and you'll witness abandoned cabins nestled by babbling brooks, open meadows…
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Total Miles
17.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Barton Gulch and Offshoots

Beautiful trail with awesome views. Easy trail that gets narrow in spots and had some low hanging fallen trees that could be an issue if you don't want scratches in your paint. Stock 4x4s won't…
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Total Miles
24
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Centennial Divide

This easy and scenic route connects Montana's Centennial Valley and Ruby River Reservoir. Along its path, you'll pass a well-known bison ranch, trace portions of the Ruby River, and spend most of your trip flanked…
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Total Miles
54.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su

Axolotl Lakes Road

Axolotl Lakes Road is like a fine sampling of the beauty Montana has to offer. It begins in one of the state's charming towns, Virginia City, complete with weathered wooden buildings and small restaurants and…
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Total Miles
11.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Cliff Lake Trail

This is a very short trail to Cliff Lake at the top of the McKelvey Lake Trail and accessed from Mine Lake. Although short, the lake is absolutely worth seeing and the fishing is great.…
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Total Miles
0.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Granite Lake

Fairly easy trail with some great views. Trail got narrow in some spots from freshly cut trees. Some quick switchbacks could be challenging in a longer wheelbase. Not a lot of traffic on the trail…
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Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Warm Springs Creek Road (FA 163) w/Cow Camp Road (FS1234)

Warm Springs Creek Road takes you from the Gravelly Range ridge line to Continental Divide/Upper Ruby Road. Assuming you start on the upper ridge along Gravelly Range Road, you go down the road looking back…
Learn more about Warm Springs Creek Road (FA 163) w/Cow Camp Road (FS1234)
Total Miles
10.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Continental Divide/Upper Ruby Road (FS100) (Parital)

This road is a main traffic corridor between the N Valley Road, near the southern MT border and Alder, MT. There are numerous homes and ranch buildings in the area with additional traffic. This input…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Potosi Willow Creek

This is an easy grated out and back dirt road begins through some open range before turning up into the mountains. Watch for range cattle on the road early in the trail. Once the trail…
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Total Miles
13.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Gravelly Range Road (FS290) (Partial)

Gravelly Range Road is a very long road that runs from Red Rock Lakes Road west of the Island Park, ID to a point just east of Virginia City, MT. The section of road included…
Learn more about Gravelly Range Road (FS290) (Partial)
Total Miles
13.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Johnny Ridge Road - FS324

This trail offers either an opportunity to leave the ridge on Gravelly Range Road and descend to a trailhead at McAtee Bridge near State Highway 287 or to climb up to Gravelly Range Road. This…
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Total Miles
14.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Point of Jefferson River Loop

This mostly dirt loop trail takes you from the downtown of Whitehall into the countryside and drives along the Jefferson River. There are several spots along the trail that have excellent views of the river…
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Total Miles
16.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Gravelly Range South (FS290)

This is the southeastern portion of this long Forest Service Road through the upper plateau area of the Gravelly Range. On the northern end of this section, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of…
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Total Miles
20.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Standard Creek Rd w/Wolverine Basin

Standard Creek Road (FS237) is a beautiful climb from the Madison River Basin up into the Gravelly Range. The views are spectacular and many side trails exist for exploring. The views often show three to…
Learn more about Standard Creek Rd w/Wolverine Basin
Total Miles
22.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Rebish Camp

This is a side trail that most people will pass by as they marvel at the views all around by don't. At the end of this short trail is an exceptional old cabin with outbuildings…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Eureka Basin Road (FS 347)

This road is actually a connector between Gravelly Range Road and Centennial Divide Road. Like Gravelly, this road has some spectacular views, and on the southern end, you will drop off the upper mesa at…
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Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Fish Creek Ridge Road (FS 9626)

If you're not careful, you will drive past this trail from either end. The only thing marking a trail on the Eureka Basin end is a very old FS sign that informs you that this…
Learn more about Fish Creek Ridge Road (FS 9626)
Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Fish Creek Lake Road (Partial)

This is an exciting adventure with some great views, trail obstacles, and two lakes that had fish rising to get the numerous bugs, due to the approaching thunderstorm when we were there. Be aware, this…
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Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Spire Flat Track 8635

On this trail, you can expect small rocks, nice straightaways, some corners, and small inclines/declines. Overall the trail is fairly smooth and excellent for all riders alike. The trail runs North to South and meets…
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Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Eagle Nest River Access

This is a nice out-and-back dirt and gravel trail to the Eagle Nest day-use area with access to the Madison River. There is also a day-use river access spot at the beginning of the trail…
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Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

West Fork Madison (FS 209)

This trail follows the West Fork of the Madison River, which is a beautiful stream that highlights the beauty of the valley you will be following. This is an exceptionally beautiful area and we were…
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Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Jackpine Gulch (FS 1209)

This area shows the ravages of the fire that went through this region two years ago. It is sad to see the damage but, encouraging to see the logging operations that are going on to…
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Total Miles
16
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Red Rock Lakes

Easy, yet extremely remote route through the historic Centennial Valley. Highlights include the Red Rock Lakes Wildlife Refuge with a chance to view many important waterfowl species, including the trumpeter swan, which was once near…
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Total Miles
53.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Jackknife - Cliff Lake Bench (FS 9640/41)

We were hoping to see Cliff or Wade Lake when we went down this trail, but we did not. But there were some great views as we moved along this bench. The grass was deep,…
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Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Bigfoot Creek to Hay Creek

Running just east of Montana's State Route 399 / Whitetail Road, you'll find this trail meandering through the eastern slopes of Deer Lodge National Forest. Outstanding views, a few obstacles and trails just wide enough…
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Total Miles
17.7
Tech Rating
3 Moderate
Best Time
Su

Canyon Creek - Quartz Hill

This route will take you through Vipond Park, a subalpine meadow. The southern approach to the meadow is a very steep single-lane road with limited turnouts, do not bring a trailer on this side. This…
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Total Miles
22.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

East Bench (FS 8378)

If you are looking for a short trail with mind-blowing views at the end, this is it. We almost didn't take it but decided to see where it led. This trail puts you directly above…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Trail Less Traveled

This short little trail (1 mile) goes into a secluded, quiet part of the Deerlodge National Forest where most people don't go. It's about a 10-minute trail. It offers beautiful tent camping and picnic locations.…
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Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Boulder Alley Spur

This track exits the Bigfoot Creek to Hay Creek Trail, goes west for just over a mile, connects with Boulder Alley Trail, and gets into an area of large boulders and pine trees. If you're…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

High Mountain Meadows

An easy 4-mile trail at just over 6000 feet, crossing high mountain meadows and forests. Our 75" SXS fit easily. It's beautiful scenery with lots of potential for wildlife. This trail loops back to the…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa