Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Heart Butte, Montana

This is an out-and-back route to a waterfall and scenic area. There is an old pumphouse station along a dam structure. There are very scenic views and a quick little run to get your tires dusty if you are in the area. Be advised that it is not on public property for the majority of the trail, so mak...
Learn more about Junior Dam

Great views and free camp spots along this trail. It is an easy gravel road that can easily be used by larger vehicles and campers. A little creek and waterfall can be seen at the beginning. The Flathead Mountain Range can be seen throughout the whole trail. It is a great weekend spot for camping an...
Learn more about Skyland

This trail used to be the original Highway 2 but was abandoned years ago when the highway was rerouted in 1956. There are still remnants of old broken asphalt and stone retaining walls are still in place. This trail is fairly level and very easy to transverse although it does get narrow and brushy i...
Learn more about Old Highway 2

This is a beautiful drive into areas of dense woods, mountain creeks, and seasonal waterfalls, with up-close views of the Great Northern Mountain. In the spring, be aware of lingering snow and clay mud, as parts of the trail are slow to melt. There are a few camping sites, dense trails, and lots of ...
Learn more about Emery Creek

Take this fun cut across from Desert Mountain to Emery Creek through dense woods and you will be rewarded with up-close views of the Great Northern Mountain. In the spring, be aware of lingering snow and clay mud, as parts of the trail are slow to melt. Expect seasonal mountain creeks and waterfalls...
Learn more about Emery Creek Desert Leg

This is a scenic road that leads to the top of Desert Mountain where you can get a spectacular nearly 240 degree view of the surrounding area at an elevation of 6,415. There is also a very short road that leads to Belton Point once you get to the top. This single lane forest service road is accessed...
Learn more about Desert Mountain

This does not take you to Strawberry Lake, but rather the trailhead to hike into the lake. The trail is narrow, rocky, and steep in some sections. There was a wide variety of cars and trucks that were parked at the trailhead, so accessibility is good. Views are great and there's a creek at the trail...
Learn more about Strawberry Lake Trail

This is an easy, scenic drive down the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir. Many developed and primitive camping spots, with numerous lake access points and lots of hiking trails. This is considered the higher-traffic side, so expect a lot of trucks and trailers, especially on the weekends. This sid...
Learn more about Hungry Horse Reservoir - East

This is a scenic drive down the west side of Hungry Horse Reservoir. There are plenty of developed and primitive camping spots, and lake access points everywhere. The road is maintained, and paved for the first 12 miles, but potholes are still abundant. Drive the distance, and you'll end up in Spott...
Learn more about Hungry Horse Reservoir - West

Fun, scenic trail that leads to epic hiking. Road is rough and narrow, but still passable with most 2wd cars. Expect potholes, washboard, and steep sections. You'll arrive at the Camp Misery trailhead about 30 mins after you start. There's a parking lot that's usually full, with a vault toilet and r...
Learn more about Jewel Basin Road

This is a well maintained gravel road that meanders through Glacier National Park north of Lake McDonald. Many areas around this road have experienced a wild fire in recent history and caution should be taken for downed trees after storms. This road is not heavily traveled and does provide incredibl...
Learn more about Inside North Fork Rd

This is fun, easy trail with great views of the Flathead Valley. The road is maintained and accessible during late spring, summer and fall. There are several trailheads for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and dirt bikes.
Learn more about Trail Creek

This is a quick, scenic drive with several trailheads for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and dirt bikes. The road is well maintained with no real obstacles except potholes and shallow ruts. You'll find several primitive camping areas along the way, as well as a couple creek crossings via ...
Learn more about Peter's Ridge Road

Fun, easy-going trail with great views of the Swan Valley and Swan mountain range! No major obstacles and well kept, with plenty of hiking and epic mountain biking trails and a small pond along the way. This trail dead-ends, so you'll be coming out the same way you came in.
Learn more about Mission Divide/Crane Mtn Road

This is a two-lane dirt road that gives you access to amazing views, campgrounds, ATV trails, hiking and packing trails, picnic sites, and ending at the amazing Gibson Reservoir. From the Gibson Reservoir, you can access the Bob Marshall Wilderness by foot, boot, or horse. This is a nice and easy dr...
Learn more about Sun Canyon Road

Upper Lion Creek - NF9769 is a short, scenic forest road located in the Swan Valley of northwest Montana. It leads to the Lion Creek Trailhead, a popular access point for hiking and backcountry exploration. The road is gravel with a few large potholes but remains passable for most high-clearance veh...
Learn more about Upper Lion Creek - NF9769

Falls Creek Alder Creek - NF901 is a forest road located in Montana's scenic Swan Valley. This gravel route winds through dense timber and climbs to several elevated overlooks with sweeping views across the valley below. The road surface is generally in fair condition and suitable for most high-clea...
Learn more about Falls Creek Alder Creek - NF901

This is an amazing trail that begins at the north end of Whitefish Lake and meanders through Stillwater State Forest, Flathead National Forest, past Upper Whitefish Lake and up to Red Meadow Lake. The trail is very well maintained, and does have some steep and rocky sections, but overall, is easily ...
Learn more about Red Meadow Creek

Cedar Ridge NF-1690 is an easy 4x4 trail located north of Columbia Falls, Montana, and is accessed directly from N Fork Road. The gravel surface is generally smooth, with a few potholes and occasional standing water. The route winds through forested terrain alongside a small creek and includes sever...
Learn more about Cedar Ridge NF-1690

Big Cr Canyon Creek - NF316 is an easy gravel road located north of Columbia Falls, Montana, with direct access from N Fork Road. This route is commonly used to reach Moose Lake Campground. The surface is smooth, primarily with minor potholes, making it suitable for most vehicle types. Drivers are r...
Learn more about Big Cr Canyon Creek - NF316

This is an out-and-back route to a waterfall and scenic area. There is an old pumphouse station along a dam structure. There are very scenic views and a quick little run to get your tires dusty if you are in the area. Be advised that it is not on public property for the majority of the trail, so mak...
Learn more about Junior Dam

Great views and free camp spots along this trail. It is an easy gravel road that can easily be used by larger vehicles and campers. A little creek and waterfall can be seen at the beginning. The Flathead Mountain Range can be seen throughout the whole trail. It is a great weekend spot for camping an...
Learn more about Skyland

This trail used to be the original Highway 2 but was abandoned years ago when the highway was rerouted in 1956. There are still remnants of old broken asphalt and stone retaining walls are still in place. This trail is fairly level and very easy to transverse although it does get narrow and brushy i...
Learn more about Old Highway 2

This is a beautiful drive into areas of dense woods, mountain creeks, and seasonal waterfalls, with up-close views of the Great Northern Mountain. In the spring, be aware of lingering snow and clay mud, as parts of the trail are slow to melt. There are a few camping sites, dense trails, and lots of ...
Learn more about Emery Creek

This is an out-and-back route to a waterfall and scenic area. There is an old pumphouse station along a dam structure. There are very scenic views and a quick little run to get your tires dusty if you are in the area. Be advised that it is not on public property for the majority of the trail, so mak...
Learn more about Junior Dam

Great views and free camp spots along this trail. It is an easy gravel road that can easily be used by larger vehicles and campers. A little creek and waterfall can be seen at the beginning. The Flathead Mountain Range can be seen throughout the whole trail. It is a great weekend spot for camping an...
Learn more about Skyland

This trail used to be the original Highway 2 but was abandoned years ago when the highway was rerouted in 1956. There are still remnants of old broken asphalt and stone retaining walls are still in place. This trail is fairly level and very easy to transverse although it does get narrow and brushy i...
Learn more about Old Highway 2

This is a beautiful drive into areas of dense woods, mountain creeks, and seasonal waterfalls, with up-close views of the Great Northern Mountain. In the spring, be aware of lingering snow and clay mud, as parts of the trail are slow to melt. There are a few camping sites, dense trails, and lots of ...
Learn more about Emery Creek