Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Helena Valley Northeast, Montana

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 trail, watch for rocks, ruts, and others out enjoying the area. You will be rewarded with lovely views of the surr...
Learn more about North Hills Recreation Area

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 is healthy and well-maintained, and the wildlife includes deer, elk, moose, and bears. You...
Learn more about Owl Gulch Loop

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 bears. All private property crossings are allowed if you stay on the trail. You ma...
Learn more about Nelson 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 eye out for one of the many freight or coal trains that pass along this route daily. ...
Learn more about Birdseye-Mullan Road

This route on Forest Service Road 138 travels from Nelson, Montana, to the Indian Flats Forest Service Cabin along Indian Creek. The route has multiple dispersed camping sites along Beaver Creek and also higher up, closer to the Indian Flats Cabin. The route does pass through a parcel of private la...
Learn more about Beaver Creek - Indian Creek FS 138

This 5-mile trail connects Kingsbury Spur Trail to York Gulch Trail. You gain almost 2,000 feet in elevation, rising to 6,329 feet at the highest point. The scenery is spectacular, the forest is healthy and well-maintained, and the wildlife includes deer, elk, moose, and bears. All private property ...
Learn more about Oregon 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 National Forest. The scenery is spectacular, the forest is healthy and well-maintained, and the wildli...
Learn more about York Gulch

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, elk, moose, and bears. All private property crossings are allowed if you stay on the tr...
Learn more about Hedges Mountain

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 scenery is spectacular, both of the valley and of Canyon Ferry Lake; the forest is healthy and well-ma...
Learn more about Magpie Gulch

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 winter. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water crossi...
Learn more about Microwave

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 trail is 6944 feet. The scenery is spectacular, both of the valley and of Canyon Ferry Lake, the ...
Learn more about Sunshine Ridge

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, both of the valley and of Canyon Ferry Lake, the forest is healthy and well-maintained, and d...
Learn more about Magpie Upper

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 for mountain bikers, Jeeps and adventure motorcycles. It is not uncommon to see deer and elk while on this tr...
Learn more about Marsh Creek

Starting from Montana Highway 282, you will take the bend onto Tizer Lake Road, which leads to Prickly Pear Road. Prickly Pear Road goes through private land, but there is a designated route to access Tizer Lake. A compressor or other method to air tires up or down is recommended since the majority ...
Learn more about Prickly Pear to Tizer Lakes

The road starts off as pavement for only 4 short miles, it goes through private property, after that you will enjoy amazing views. There are a bunch of camping spots, enough space for a large group at some spots. This road also offers access to man hiking, biking and horse back riding trails.Dirt or...
Learn more about Little Blackfoot

This road has pretty views, with some camp spots, it dead ends at small camp, the road seems to go on, but it become impassible for a vehicle. It does go through private property so please be respectful.Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water cr...
Learn more about Telegraph

This road has beautiful views, there seems to be no camping, it does ends at a gate, but open is to motorized under 50inchs wide, as well as bike, and hiking.Dirt or rocky road with gentle grades. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. Roads are typically two vehicles wide.
Learn more about Treasure Mountain

You will enjoy this road with its amazing views. There are a few spots that look like they would be good for camping. Road can be muddy when wet, with some water puddles. One section of this road is steep, and can be slippery when wet.Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. Yo...
Learn more about Minnehaha

You will enjoy this road with its amazing views. There are a few spots that look like they would be good for camping. Road can be muddy when wet, with some water puddles. Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water crossings and obstacles under 12" ...
Learn more about Elliston Spotted Dog

This Mina Gulch Spur takes you from the Bluebird Mine Loop past the Mina Mine and to an overlook of the lake on Montana Tunnels Mining. It's just under a mile, and your elevation is about 6600 feet. All private property crossings are allowed if you stay on the trail. The scenery is beautiful. The vi...
Learn more about Mina Gulch Spur

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 trail, watch for rocks, ruts, and others out enjoying the area. You will be rewarded with lovely views of the surr...
Learn more about North Hills Recreation Area

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 is healthy and well-maintained, and the wildlife includes deer, elk, moose, and bears. You...
Learn more about Owl Gulch Loop

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 bears. All private property crossings are allowed if you stay on the trail. You ma...
Learn more about Nelson 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 eye out for one of the many freight or coal trains that pass along this route daily. ...
Learn more about Birdseye-Mullan Road

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 trail, watch for rocks, ruts, and others out enjoying the area. You will be rewarded with lovely views of the surr...
Learn more about North Hills Recreation Area

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 is healthy and well-maintained, and the wildlife includes deer, elk, moose, and bears. You...
Learn more about Owl Gulch Loop

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 bears. All private property crossings are allowed if you stay on the trail. You ma...
Learn more about Nelson 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 eye out for one of the many freight or coal trains that pass along this route daily. ...
Learn more about Birdseye-Mullan Road