Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Bonner-West Riverside, Montana

Forest Service (FS) #2127-1 is open from 5/16 to 11/30. The 7.3-mile drive along the rugged forest service road is an adventurous and scenic journey. Steep mountainsides offer thrilling moments and breathtaking views of the…
Learn more about Forest Service (FS) #2127-1

Larch Camp Road is Located in a part of The Lolo National Forest in the South Hills of Missoula, Montana. It is a scenic backcountry road just a few miles from town. Great hiking in…
Learn more about Larch Camp Road

This peak tower access road starts with some loose rocky, rutted, steep, and longer duration climbs. There are also a few rainwater diverting hills. Once those are out of the way, the trail is relatively…
Learn more about Miller Peak

This easy out-and-back passes by a great shooting range spot carved into the hillside about a third of the way along the trail. There are tight turns and muddy puddles from all the little springs…
Learn more about West Greenough

This trail is an easy track that climbs up Sheep Mountain while gaining a lot of elevation. The trail is wide until you reach the upper portion where passing becomes more difficult. There is a…
Learn more about East Twin Creek Road 2117 (To Sheep Mountain hiking Trailhead)

This rim road cruises along the top of the hills and has epic views around almost every corner as it twists and turns its way to the Holoman Saddle. There are a few different decent-sized…
Learn more about West Holloman Schwartz

This moderate shelf road leads from the valley below near Connor and heads up into the Sapphire Mountains. The beginning is a shelf road with a steep dropoff with tight turns, loose rocky switchbacks, and…
Learn more about Verdy Moccasin Ridge

This ridge road blasts across the top of the ridge over the Yukon Saddle. It has long straight always with epic views, a dense forest section, an old burned-out section that's regrowing well, and a…
Learn more about Middle Fork Schwartz

This is not the super smooth, easy way into the Sapphire Mountain Range. This trail is rocky, with a few tight corners and a steep climb. There are a few spots with a nice view,…
Learn more about West Fork Schwartz Creek

This easy trail heads straight up into the mountains from the valley below. The first mile and a half crosses through private property, so please be respectful and stick to the trail. Once past the…
Learn more about East Fork Rattlesnake

This is an easy dirt trail out to the 7 Mile Bridge. There is a locked gate at the bridge, but one can continue on foot across, and there is a nice dispersed campsite on…
Learn more about Gold Creek to 7 Mile Bridge

This trail starts as a spur off of Gold Creek road just before the locked gate at mile 7 bridge. The trail is a fairly high use road that was built for logging trucks so…
Learn more about 2103 West Fork Gold Creek

This dirt road into the Saphire Mountains is THE smoothest and most effortless way up the mountain range. The grade isn't steep. The potholes are few. The only drawback is that there are few pullouts…
Learn more about Schwartz Creek

This is a rocky twisty ridge road. It's open seasonally with a gate near the first bottom switchback. The trail has fantastic views of the Bitterroot Valley and Sapphire Range. The trail is loose and…
Learn more about Sluice Creek

This narrow, easy climb heads from the Bitterroot valley into the sapphire mountains. It begins in a residential area and then hits loose, steep switchbacks to begin the ascent. The trail gets relatively narrow in…
Learn more about 8 Mile

Be sure to start your day with a round of frisbee golf at the Blue Mountain Disc Golf Course before continuing up Blue Mountain to find incredible vistas of the Missoula valley. The road is…
Learn more about Blue Mountain

At mile 7 of Gold Creek, you reach a bridge with a BLM gate. (This gate is closed during certain times of the year by the BLM for the bear population to breed.) It's open…
Learn more about Gold Creek Trail 126 (Seasonal Access)

McClain Creek Road is also known as Forest Service Road 1311 and goes from the Bitterroot Valley to Carlton Lake but is gated at the 5-mile mark. The road passes through the former McClay Ranch…
Learn more about McClain Creek Road (FS 1311)

The Mormon Peak Trail is an out and back at Lolo National Forest, Montana. The ride is very smooth until a bumpy section at the top. There are pull-outs along the trail to camp, but…
Learn more about Mormon Peak

This road winds along Character Ridge from Moon Saddle and down to the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River. Active logging operations have expanded and improved the existing road with new grading and plenty of room…
Learn more about 620 Character Ridge Road

This route is a beautiful, scenic excursion with amazing views of the Blackfoot River. This trail is a fun way to connect two sections of paved roads. One end begins or ends at the Whittaker…
Learn more about Ninemile Prairie East

Travel this easy section through the Jocko Canyon along the stunning Jocko River. Other sights along this route include the pristine Jocko Lakes and Placid Lake.
Learn more about Jocko Road

This easy ridge road has impressive views of the Bitterroot Valley as it twists its way in and out of the trees. Previous tree clearing makes for a nice open ride. There are a few…
Learn more about Upper Skyline to Cinnabar Saddle

This is an easy backroad that runs along the river and though the forest. It has light grade changes and no major hurdles. It's a great family trip with lots of wildflowers, scenic pullouts, and…
Learn more about Southside Road

This scenic, narrow trail twists its way through the trees. There are a few pullouts here and there to pass oncoming traffic and lots of evidence of tree cutting. Be prepared to clear trees if…
Learn more about Skyline

A wide well-grated dirt trail that begins at the base of the Sapphire Mountain range and gains elevation up into the mountains. It is a great trail to access other trails including the Sawmill Ridge…
Learn more about Ambrose Trail

This is a scenic shortcut from St. Ignatius to Seeley Lake that joins into the Jocko Canyon. You will have the opportunity to pass by both St. Mary's Lake and Twin Lakes. There is camping…
Learn more about St. Marys Lake/Twin Lake Road

If you want to rattle every bolt loose on your vehicle, then this is the road for you. This is an extremely rough road that connects Arlee and Frenchtown. There aren't many views, and there's…
Learn more about Mill Creek

This is a side spur road off of St. Marys Lake/Twin Lake Road. This track is 100% on CS&KT tribal lands. Always check their rules and regulations. All recreational activities on tribal-owned lands require a…
Learn more about Jocko Canyon Road

This fun little out-and-back deviates from the main trail into the hills. There are lots of twists and turns, dips and dives. It's generally narrow with a few mild rutted sections. Once you pass the…
Learn more about South Ambrose