Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Ponderosa Pines, Montana
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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… Learn more about Boulder to Toston via Black Sage Pass
Total Miles
40.1
Tech Rating
3
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… Learn more about Townsend To Winston
Total Miles
65.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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… Learn more about Indian Creek Road
Total Miles
9.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Indian Creek Road Spur 1
Total Miles
4.3
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… Learn more about Crow Creek
Total Miles
6.5
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… Learn more about Cold Springs Road
Total Miles
4.1
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… Learn more about Weston Creek Lower Portion
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… Learn more about Weston Creek Upper Portion
Total Miles
2.9
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… Learn more about Merrel Springs
Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Badger Creek
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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,… Learn more about Wilson Creek Divide Road
Total Miles
26.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
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… Learn more about Olsen Creek
Total Miles
19.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Potosi Willow Creek
This is an easy grated out and back dirt road begins through some open range before turning up into the mountains. Watch for range cattle on the road early in the trail. Once the trail… Learn more about Potosi Willow Creek
Total Miles
13.6
Tech Rating
2
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… Learn more about Skyline Mine Trail
Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
3
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… Learn more about Moser Views
Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Radersburg Pass Loop
This 8-mile track loops off of the Skyline Mine Trail on Radersburg Pass Road and circles back via Tramway Road. You climb to an elevation of 7600 feet in Deerlodge National Forest. There is some… Learn more about Radersburg Pass Loop
Total Miles
7.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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… Learn more about Little Bear Road Offshoot
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
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… Learn more about Langohr Offshoot
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Skyline Mine Spur
This 4-mile track connects Elkhorn Road to Skyline Mine Trail in the Deerlodge National Forest. You turn off of Elkhorn Road near Tacoma Gulch and basically travel northeast to a high point of 6500 feet.… Learn more about Skyline Mine Spur
Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Storm Castle to Line Creek Rd
Total Miles
12
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Moose Creek to Portal Creek Rd
Total Miles
13
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Point of Jefferson River Loop
This mostly dirt loop trail takes you from the downtown of Whitehall into the countryside and drives along the Jefferson River. There are several spots along the trail that have excellent views of the river… Learn more about Point of Jefferson River Loop
Total Miles
16.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
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… Learn more about Magpie Gulch
Total Miles
7.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Granite Lake
Fairly easy trail with some great views. Trail got narrow in some spots from freshly cut trees. Some quick switchbacks could be challenging in a longer wheelbase. Not a lot of traffic on the trail… Learn more about Granite Lake
Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
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… Learn more about Oregon Gulch
Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Bigfoot Creek to Hay Creek
Running just east of Montana's State Route 399 / Whitetail Road, you'll find this trail meandering through the eastern slopes of Deer Lodge National Forest. Outstanding views, a few obstacles and trails just wide enough… Learn more about Bigfoot Creek to Hay Creek
Total Miles
17.7
Tech Rating
3
Moderate
Best Time
Su
Puddle Splasher
This 2.4-mile trail takes only 15-20 minutes to complete. In late July there were multiple puddles to cross, so there is probably water in this area routinely. It's an excellent route to work your way… Learn more about Puddle Splasher
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
3
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… Learn more about Sunshine Ridge
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2
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,… Learn more about Magpie Upper
Total Miles
0.9
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… Learn more about York Gulch
Total Miles
6.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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