Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Gardiner, Montana

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Sixmile Creek Road

Sixmile Creed Road is a very scenic out and back gravel road that becomes less maintained the further back you discover. The entrance can be found off Dailey Lake Road. From the entrance it is…
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Blacktail Plateau

The Blacktail Plateau drive offers a unique opportunity to hit the dirt in Yellowstone National Park. To avoid crowds, drive the road in the early morning or evening hours. In doing so you'll spot more…
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Total Miles
6.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Wicked Creek Loop

Open Dates: 7/16-9/14. Wicked Creek Loop is in the Absaroka Range and part of the Custer Gallatin National Forest on the Eastern side of the Paradise Valley, South of Livingston, Montana. Beginning at Mill Creek…
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Total Miles
16.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Pine Creek

This is a really pretty drive to some nice views and campsites. Nothing technical to worry about, a car could make it through with some determination. There is a small water crossing and some ruts,…
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Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Whits Lake Trail

This is a beautiful dirt and gravel trail that heads up to a couple of hiking trailheads. There are two designated dispersed campsites on the way up. One had an Airstream parked at it when…
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Cougar Cr Park Boundary

If you want to experience a little Yellowstone but are not planning on going to the park, this trail has a few hidden gems. It is a day-use area and runs right along the Yellowstone…
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Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Moose Creek to Portal Creek Rd

Heading south on 191, take a left onto Moose Creek Road; this trail starts off fairly gentle with plenty of camping areas to make basecamp. Beautiful aspens, golden late September, line the first stretch of…
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Total Miles
13
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Cougar C Trail

This is a nice connection trail between Highway 191 and the Whisky Bay trail. It is a broad, well-maintained dirt and gravel trail primarily through tall trees. It's longer but much smoother than the whisky…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Whisky Bay Trail

Are you looking for day-use access to Whisky Bay? This is the main trail across Whisky Bay with loops and fingers off of it with lots of day-use spots along the bay. The trail is…
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Total Miles
4.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Whisky Bay Day Use 1

There are two day use loops off the Whisky Bay trail; this day use trail is close to highway 191, it's longer than the other day use areas with more pull-offs, and it has some…
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Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Madison Arm

This broad, well-maintained dirt and gravel trail runs along Hegben Lake. It can be accessed from Highway 191 and Highway 20 just outside the town of West Yellowstone. The Madison Arm Resort Camp and Marina…
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Total Miles
11
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Rainbow Point

This easy, wide, well-maintained dirt trail connects Rainbow Point and the Rainbow Point campground to Hegben Lake and the first-day use areas on the lake. It's a nice trail through the trees with some washboard…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Red Canyon

This is a pretty out-and-back trail up through red canyon that ends at the hiking trail for Red Canyon Creek. The beginning of the trail is through private property, and the trail surface is well-maintained…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Storm Castle to Line Creek Rd

Heading from North to South this trail narrows and grows slightly more challenging as you gain elevation. Near the top the track appears to be sensitive to rain and snowmelt and likely becomes quite muddy…
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Total Miles
12
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Whisky Bay Day Use 2

There are two-day use loops off the Whisky Bay trail. This day-use trail is close to the Horse Butte trail and rainbow point; it's slightly shorter than the other day-use area and runs higher above…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Su

Langohr Offshoot

A rough, but maintained forest service trail off of the main Langohr Road in Hyalite Canyon. There are various dispersed camping spots off of this trail, as well as several beautiful viewpoints to see the…
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Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Little Bear Road Offshoot

Essentially a rough gravel road, this is a curvy and pot-hole-filled mountain road that forks off of Wilson Creek Divide Road. You'll likely want to air down your tires so as to not rattle your…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Wilson Creek Divide Road

This is a very nice and easy forest service road with several decent-sized boulders sticking up in the road. Once you reach the peak and start down the other side, it narrows to a tight,…
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Total Miles
26.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Moser Views

This trail is a great trail for beginners, involving two steep, off-camber hills at the beginning and middle, and plenty of chunky gravel and loose soil between. At the trail's peak is a phenomenal view…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Stoddard Point

This is an easy out-and-back offshoot trail through some seasonal forest service cabins off the main Madison Arm Trail. Follow the onX track carefully and obey all signs, there are lots of dirt roads that…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Su

Hegben Lake Trail

This wide, well-maintained gravel and dirt trail runs along Hegben Lake. Some sections of the trail have a bit of bumpy washboard. Most lake access is from established campgrounds and designated dispersed camping areas. Most…
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Total Miles
8.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Buttermilk Creek Trail

Two track with great tree cover. Some wet sections. The trail is rutted and has several loose rock sections. The trailhead is located right after you enter the West Yellowstone valley. It has several open…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Beaver Creek Gallatin Forest

This is a lovely little hidden gem of a trail just outside West Yellowstone in the mountains. Beaver Creek runs right along a good portion of the beginning of this trail, and there are lots…
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Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Garner Canyon

This is a short, fun adventure through a small mountain meadow and tree-lined trails. This is a great place to take a family hike, enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch and take in the beauty of…
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Buffalo River via Fish Creek

This is a fun Forest Service Road that will take you up Fish Creek Road where you will turn onto Chick Creek Road up to almost 8,000 feet with spectacular views of the area to…
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Total Miles
19.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Meadow Creek Road

This local road travels along the east side of the large, flat meadow just north of Robin's Roost on Hwy 20. There is a small lodge/restaurant that is a favorite hang-out for snowmobilers in the…
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Total Miles
7.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Two Tops Canyon

This Forest Service Road traverses a canyon around the base of the locally famous Two Tops Mountain. Snowmobilers and 50" SxSs can go to the top, but larger machines are restricted from the area. This…
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Total Miles
7.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Olsen Creek

This is a nice drive through the Bridger range that most vehicles can do. The trail forks to Skunk Creek, which has some deep puddles, but nothing a stock truck or SUV wouldn't be able…
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Total Miles
19.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Fish - Chick Creek Roads

This is a fun ride on Forest Service roads that travels through some very picturesque woods. Along the path there are streams, meadows and views but watch out for the wildlife. It is not uncommon…
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Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Red Rock Pass Island Park

Red Rock Pass is a pleasant, very easy gravel road along Henry's Lake and the Centennial Mountains in Island Park. It offers great views throughout and good chances to see wildlife.
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Total Miles
11
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa