Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Great Falls, Montana

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St. Peters Mission

The Adel Mountains are a geologist's dream to experience. Filled with small laccoliths and dikes, this igneous complex dates to approximately 65 million years ago. The resulting topography is that of rolling hills, lush had…
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Total Miles
26
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Magpie Upper

This track completes the upper portion of Magpie. It runs through the Helena National Forest to the private property boundary. There is a camping area near the end of this trail. The scenery is spectacular,…
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Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Sunshine Ridge

This track goes about 3 miles north and west of the Magpie Creek to Avalanche Creek Trail. It goes across the Helena National Forest to the boundary with private property. The highest elevation on this…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Magpie Gulch

This 8-mile track in the Helena National Forest, east of Canyon Ferry Lake, connects Magpie Ridge Trail to the Magpie Creek to Avalanche Creek Trail. You get up to 6900 feet near Hunters Gulch. The…
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Total Miles
7.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hedges Mountain

This 3-mile RT track takes you to Hedges Mountain in the Helena National Forest at an elevation of 7131 feet. The scenery is spectacular, the forest is healthy and well-maintained, and the wildlife includes deer,…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

York Gulch

The York Gulch Trail connects York Road to Hedges Mountain, Oregon Gulch, Kingsberry Spur, and the Magpie Creek to Avalanche Creek Trails. You go from 3900 feet to just over 6200 feet in the Helena…
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Total Miles
6.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Oregon Gulch

This 5-mile trail connects Kingsbury Spur Trail to York Gulch Trail. You gain almost 2000 feet in elevation, rising to 6329 feet at the highest point. The scenery is spectacular, the forest is healthy and…
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Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Dead Man Gulch

This is a fun ranch road, typically used as a connector to avoid pavement on a large ADV bike. It's a fast and flowy road on a bike, faster now that it's been recently graded.…
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Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Nelson Road

This 6-mile stretch of Nelson Road goes from York Road to the Favorite Gulch/Owl Gulch Loop Trail. The scenery is spectacular, the forest is healthy and well-maintained, and the wildlife includes deer, elk, moose, and…
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Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Owl Gulch Loop

This 3-mile loop connects the Favorite Gulch Trail via Owl Gulch to the Pipeline Trail and Pipeline Loop. Private property crossings are allowed if you stay on the trail. The scenery is spectacular, the forest…
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Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

North Hills Recreation Area

The North Hills Recreation Area trail is a dirt road in overall good condition. The trail is accessible by 2WD car if you can stay out of the ruts. Along the North Hills Recreation Area…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Townsend To Winston

This 68-mile trail takes you from Old Woman's Grave Road just outside of Townsend, on a winding, twisting path through the National Forest, to Winston. You will travel across the National Guard Training grounds, up…
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Total Miles
65.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hay Canyon Trail

Open July 1 - Oct 14. Hay Canyon Trail is in the Little Belt Mountains, located in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, Southeast of Great Falls and Northwest of Harlowton, Montana. From Hay Canyon…
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Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Lower Russian Youth Loop

Lower Russian Youth Loop FS 463. The trail may start out looking like it simply goes to a campsite, ride on around that campsite to find the fork marking the start of the loop. 2.4…
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Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Indian Creek Road

This 10-mile trail takes you from Highway 287 near Townsend into the Helena National Forest. You go through a beautiful canyon, gain 3500 feet in elevation, and experience the majesty of Montana. The scenery is…
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Total Miles
9.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Birdseye-Mullan Road

This exciting trail generally follows the railroad route over the Continental Divide. Fans of train watching have six railroad crossings, a trestle bridge and multiple miles of track in view from the trail. Keep an…
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Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Badger Creek

The Badger Creek Trail is just under 3 miles and connects Indian Creek Trail with Merrel Springs Trail. The highest elevation on this trail is 7353 feet, and you drop down to 6400 feet at…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Stemple Pass

The Stemple Pass road is a quick and scenic escape route to the small mountain town of Lincoln, Montana. The road, while it is well maintained, does have things of which to be cautious. Loose…
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Total Miles
22
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp

Indian Creek Road Spur 1

This 8-mile RT trail explores the Helena National Forest north of Indian Creek Road. The views of Canyon Ferry Lake and the valley are breathtaking. The forest is healthy and well-maintained. The elevation along this…
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Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Merrel Springs

This section of the Merrel Springs Trail goes down to 5900 feet in the Helena National Forest and connects to the Weston Creek Trail. It's just under 1 mile and goes along the West Fork…
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Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Weston Creek Lower Portion

The Weston Creek Lower Portion Trail connects Indian Creek Road Trail to the Weston Creek Upper Portion Trail, the Weston Creek Spur #1, the Merrel Springs Trail, and the Cold Springs Road Trail. It's two…
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Total Miles
1.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Weston Creek Upper Portion

Weston Creek Trail connects Indian Creek Road Trail to the Canyon Ferry to Winston via Helena National Forest Trail at the Eagle Guard Cabin. It's two miles, climbing up to 6200 feet in the National…
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Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Cold Springs Road

This trail connects Weston Creek Lower Portion with Weston Creek Upper Portion by going south around Giant Hill. It's just over 4 miles one way and runs between 5300and 6200 feet in the Helena National…
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Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Crow Creek

This 7-mile one-way trail cuts across the Helena National Forest by Glendale Butte and Big Mountain. It connects to Norris Gulch on the south end and Weasel Creek on the north end. You drive along…
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Total Miles
6.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Morrell Mountain Lookout

Just outside the small town of Seeley Lake, you'll find a well-maintained gravel road that leads up to Morrell Mountain Lookout. As you gain elevation, the gravel road slightly deteriorates and becomes narrower as you…
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Total Miles
34.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Marsh Creek

Marsh Creek Trail is a popular access point to Granite Peak Lookout in the Helena National Forest. This trail is also part of the Continental Divide Route, so in the summer be on the lookout…
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Boulder to Toston via Black Sage Pass

For those who like to take the road less traveled, this back road trek will take you between the small Montana towns of Boulder and Toston. Traversing Jefferson and Broadwater counties this route takes about…
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Total Miles
40.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Skyline Mine Trail

An easy trail with gorgeous views and an old mine to explore at the top. This trail gets very narrow, with potential for pinstriping on vehicles that pass through, but the gorgeous views at the…
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Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Microwave

Beautiful road with amazing views to enjoy, there isn't much for camping, there is camp at top of the road, big cell or power towers at top? Spotty cell phone service. Offers skiing trail in…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Snow Shoe Creek

The Snow Shoe Creek Road is a wonderful escape into the high alpine meadows of the Helena National Forest. The trail begins in the lush hay valleys along the Little Blackfoot River, and ends near…
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Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp