Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Pony, Montana

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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…
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Total Miles
13.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
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…
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Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Cliff Lake Trail

This is a very short trail to Cliff Lake at the top of the McKelvey Lake Trail and accessed from Mine Lake. Although short, the lake is absolutely worth seeing and the fishing is great.…
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Total Miles
0.3
Tech Rating
3 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…
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Total Miles
16.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Barton Gulch

The Barton Gulch trail is a scenic drive that runs across the northern reaches of the Gravelly Range in Montana. Explore its winding two-tracks, and you'll witness abandoned cabins nestled by babbling brooks, open meadows…
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Total Miles
17.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Barton Gulch and Offshoots

Beautiful trail with awesome views. Easy trail that gets narrow in spots and had some low hanging fallen trees that could be an issue if you don't want scratches in your paint. Stock 4x4s won't…
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Total Miles
24
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Axolotl Lakes Road

Axolotl Lakes Road is like a fine sampling of the beauty Montana has to offer. It begins in one of the state's charming towns, Virginia City, complete with weathered wooden buildings and small restaurants and…
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Total Miles
11.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
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

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…
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Total Miles
17.7
Tech Rating
3 Moderate
Best Time
Su

Spire Flat Track 8635

On this trail, you can expect small rocks, nice straightaways, some corners, and small inclines/declines. Overall the trail is fairly smooth and excellent for all riders alike. The trail runs North to South and meets…
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Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Boulder Alley Spur

This track exits the Bigfoot Creek to Hay Creek Trail, goes west for just over a mile, connects with Boulder Alley Trail, and gets into an area of large boulders and pine trees. If you're…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Trail Less Traveled

This short little trail (1 mile) goes into a secluded, quiet part of the Deerlodge National Forest where most people don't go. It's about a 10-minute trail. It offers beautiful tent camping and picnic locations.…
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Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Boulder Alley

This track exits the Bigfoot Creek to Hay Creek Trail, goes west for just over a mile, and gets into an area of large boulders and pine trees. If you're on a quad or a…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

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…
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Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

High Mountain Meadows

An easy 4-mile trail at just over 6000 feet, crossing high mountain meadows and forests. Our 75" SXS fit easily. It's beautiful scenery with lots of potential for wildlife. This trail loops back to the…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Centennial Divide

This easy and scenic route connects Montana's Centennial Valley and Ruby River Reservoir. Along its path, you'll pass a well-known bison ranch, trace portions of the Ruby River, and spend most of your trip flanked…
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Total Miles
54.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su

North Whitetail Road Spur

This spur explores a portion of the Deerlodge National Forest west of North Whitetail Road. From Boulder, MT, take Highway 69 south towards Whitehall. Turn right on North Whitetail Road. You can stage in some…
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Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

South Beaver

This is a short rutty loop. You'll find a steep hill at the end that adds some excitement to your trip. Pretty simple work for most 4x4 vehicles. Always come prepared with rescue gear, especially…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

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.…
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Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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…
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Total Miles
7.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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

Little Boulder River Rd

This is a great little out-and-back trail that starts out fairly easy with some loose rocks and tight pinches. It gets harder half way through, when the trail gets steeper up a very loose and…
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Total Miles
8.9
Tech Rating
3 Moderate
Best Time
Sp / 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

Gravelly Range Road (FS290) (Partial)

Gravelly Range Road is a very long road that runs from Red Rock Lakes Road west of the Island Park, ID to a point just east of Virginia City, MT. The section of road included…
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Total Miles
13.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Warm Springs Creek Road (FA 163) w/Cow Camp Road (FS1234)

Warm Springs Creek Road takes you from the Gravelly Range ridge line to Continental Divide/Upper Ruby Road. Assuming you start on the upper ridge along Gravelly Range Road, you go down the road looking back…
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Total Miles
10.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Johnny Ridge Road - FS324

This trail offers either an opportunity to leave the ridge on Gravelly Range Road and descend to a trailhead at McAtee Bridge near State Highway 287 or to climb up to Gravelly Range Road. This…
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Total Miles
14.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
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

Cattle Drive to Bear Gulch

This 12-mile trail starts at Montana Highway 69 near Boulder, MT, at the intersection with Cattle Drive Road. You drive along the Boulder River, go under I-15, and then turn into Galena Gulch on the…
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Total Miles
12
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Continental Divide/Upper Ruby Road (FS100) (Parital)

This road is a main traffic corridor between the N Valley Road, near the southern MT border and Alder, MT. There are numerous homes and ranch buildings in the area with additional traffic. This input…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
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