Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Joliet, Montana

This is a gravel road connector from Columbus to Molt. You will see more antelope and cows than cars or people along this route. Most of the road is surrounded by private property, so zero camping opportunities exist. There are services in Columbus, but none in Molt, so be prepared. There is fairly ...
Learn more about Columbus Molt Road

Hatcher Pass is an out-and-back off of Cottonwood Road. There are a couple of loose and slightly rutted sections, but nothing challenging. This trail ends at a closed gate bordering private property and you will have to turn around. There is a decent campground about a quarter mile in with some shad...
Learn more about Hatcher Pass

One of the many access routes to the Pryor Mountains, is Pryor Mountain Road, south of Bridger, MT. Top off your tank in Bridger and head south. Approximately 1.25 miles south on Highway 310 after the merge of Highway 72 to Cody, WY and Highway 310 to Lovell, WY, turn left (east) on Prior Mountain...
Learn more about Pryor Mountain Road

Hunt Creek is an easy road up to Ridge Road. It is a little loose and slightly rutted in places but it's a more fun route to take than Cottonwood Road. There are a couple of side spurs that have some nice climbs over to Cottonwood Road if you are feeling a little spicy. Avoid this trail when it's r...
Learn more about Hunt Creek

South Pryor Mountain road will lead to South Railbed Road which eventually leads to Warren, MT. Windmills are abundant in this area known as the Pryor Mountain Wind Project. South Pryor Mountain Road is a short stretch of road and is well maintained and accessible by most vehicles during the dry s...
Learn more about South Pryor Mountain Road

Miller Trail begins approximately 0.5 miles from the intersection of South Railbed Road and South Pryor Mountain Road. The trail is marked at the top only for some reason, but not at the bottom, so it is easy to miss. There is a nice staging area about 0.25 miles in to unload 4x4s. The trail itself ...
Learn more about Miller Trail #2496

This is a fun way up to Ridge Road that is pretty loose and fairly rutted in spots. This is a great trail to warm up on early in the year, as it is rideable months before the Bighorns will be. Depending on the weather, it might be possible to ride this all year long. Avoid this trail during the rain...
Learn more about Long Draw Road

This is a gravel road connector from Molt to Rapelje. You will see more antelope and cows than cars or people along this route. Most of the road is surrounded by private property, so there are no camping opportunities on this route. There are no services between the two small towns, so be prepared w...
Learn more about Molt Rapelje Road

Powerline Road connects Pryor Mountain Road to Railroad Grade Road. Part of this road lies on BLM land and part of it lies on Custer National Forest Land. The section that is on BLM land is well-maintained and very easy. Once you get to the Custer National Forest section, it is no longer maintained....
Learn more about Powerline Road

Ridge Road is the backbone of the Elk Basin area. It starts in Montana and goes into Wyoming. This is mostly an easy route with access to several other trails in the area. There is a great campsite just on the Wyoming side with magnificent views of the Beartooth Mountains. This road is a mess when r...
Learn more about Ridge Road #1005

This is a well-maintained gravel road that follows the Stillwater River. It's open year-round with limited access during heavy snowy weather. The first 6.5 miles is a paved two-lane road west of Absarokee before turning into gravel and then back into pavement 1.2 miles before the junction with Nye R...
Learn more about Stillwater River Road

This road cuts right through the Elk Basin Motorcycle Area, so be aware of little kids on motorcycles and four-wheelers. The first three miles of this road are easy, but the last two are what give it the 3 rating. This is where it gets steep and slightly technical. 4WD is necessary to safely naviga...
Learn more about East Basin Road CW 2078

Meeteetse Trail, east access, is located on the Montana and Wyoming border just south of Belfry, MT. The west trail can be accessed just south of Red Lodge, Montana. When accessing the Meeteetse Trail from north of the Montana/Wyoming border, turn off Highway 72 onto Chance Road, which is paved. Aft...
Learn more about Meeteetse Trail

Cottonwood Road, located between Highway 310 and Highway 72, south of Bridger, Montana, provides motorized and OHV access to over 100 square miles of BLM and State land. Bobcat Pass Road, to the west, is accessible by Cottonwood Road and provides miles of braided roads throughout the 100 plus square...
Learn more about Cottonwood Road

South Railbed Road leads south along the Pryor Mountain front to Warren, MT. Windmills are abundant in this area, known as the Pryor Mountain Wind Project. South Railbed Road is well maintained and accessible by most vehicles during the dry season. Due to the lack of gravel in most areas, this roa...
Learn more about South Railbed Road

This trail is mainly just for OHV vehicles to get from one trail to another trail. There are some sandy spots with one hill that is pretty steep with loose rocks. This trail goes along Rock Creek, so it could be used for fishing or even a drop-off for white water rafting. Expect moderate traffic, ma...
Learn more about Lower Parkside

This trail runs along Rock Creek and has some amazing views. Some spots have lose rocks but most of it is packed dirt. There are great spots to stop along the way down by the creek so you can go fly fishing or just relax a little and have lunch. You could get to the end of the trail with most off ro...
Learn more about Main Fork Rock Creek

This is a gravel road connector from Big Timber to Rapelje. You will see more antelope and cows than cars or people along this route. Most of the road is surrounded by private property, so zero camping opportunities exist. There are services in Big Timber, but none in Rapelje, so be prepared. There...
Learn more about Rapelje Road

One of the unique areas in the Pryor Mountain foothills is the Petroglyph Canyon Natural Area, located off Gyp Spring Roads. Turn south on the dirt two-track road. As soon as you cross the cattle guard, keep right (west). A deep, narrow, less than 12-inch wide erosion feature will need to be crosse...
Learn more about Petroglyphs Canyon Natural Area

A well-established trail, with some paved and gravel patches leading to the National Forest, the last 5 miles are the main dirt trail. The trail can be driven up to the Tie Cutter Gulch TH; from that point, vehicle width is restricted to less than 50 inches and dates of use. One will encounter some ...
Learn more about West Bridger Creek Cruise

This is a gravel road connector from Columbus to Molt. You will see more antelope and cows than cars or people along this route. Most of the road is surrounded by private property, so zero camping opportunities exist. There are services in Columbus, but none in Molt, so be prepared. There is fairly ...
Learn more about Columbus Molt Road

Hatcher Pass is an out-and-back off of Cottonwood Road. There are a couple of loose and slightly rutted sections, but nothing challenging. This trail ends at a closed gate bordering private property and you will have to turn around. There is a decent campground about a quarter mile in with some shad...
Learn more about Hatcher Pass

One of the many access routes to the Pryor Mountains, is Pryor Mountain Road, south of Bridger, MT. Top off your tank in Bridger and head south. Approximately 1.25 miles south on Highway 310 after the merge of Highway 72 to Cody, WY and Highway 310 to Lovell, WY, turn left (east) on Prior Mountain...
Learn more about Pryor Mountain Road

Hunt Creek is an easy road up to Ridge Road. It is a little loose and slightly rutted in places but it's a more fun route to take than Cottonwood Road. There are a couple of side spurs that have some nice climbs over to Cottonwood Road if you are feeling a little spicy. Avoid this trail when it's r...
Learn more about Hunt Creek

This is a gravel road connector from Columbus to Molt. You will see more antelope and cows than cars or people along this route. Most of the road is surrounded by private property, so zero camping opportunities exist. There are services in Columbus, but none in Molt, so be prepared. There is fairly ...
Learn more about Columbus Molt Road

Hatcher Pass is an out-and-back off of Cottonwood Road. There are a couple of loose and slightly rutted sections, but nothing challenging. This trail ends at a closed gate bordering private property and you will have to turn around. There is a decent campground about a quarter mile in with some shad...
Learn more about Hatcher Pass

Hunt Creek is an easy road up to Ridge Road. It is a little loose and slightly rutted in places but it's a more fun route to take than Cottonwood Road. There are a couple of side spurs that have some nice climbs over to Cottonwood Road if you are feeling a little spicy. Avoid this trail when it's r...
Learn more about Hunt Creek

Miller Trail begins approximately 0.5 miles from the intersection of South Railbed Road and South Pryor Mountain Road. The trail is marked at the top only for some reason, but not at the bottom, so it is easy to miss. There is a nice staging area about 0.25 miles in to unload 4x4s. The trail itself ...
Learn more about Miller Trail #2496