Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Swan Lake, Montana

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…
Learn more about Mission Divide/Crane Mtn Road

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…
Learn more about Hungry Horse Reservoir - West

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…
Learn more about Hungry Horse Reservoir - East

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…
Learn more about Jewel Basin 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.…
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…
Learn more about Falls Creek Alder Creek - NF901

Hell Roaring Canyon is a moderately easy SxS trail in Montana's Mission Mountains. It begins as a smooth logging road before narrowing into a rugged path that climbs toward a rockslide area. The route offers…
Learn more about Hell Roaring Canyon

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…
Learn more about Strawberry Lake Trail

This is a fun, easy-going trail that twists and turns through the trees with limited views of the Mission Valley and Flathead Lake. Some areas do have a fair share of potholes and loose rocks,…
Learn more about Minesinger to Hidden Lake Pt. 2

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…
Learn more about Peter's Ridge Road

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…
Learn more about Trail Creek

This is a fun, easy-going trail that twists and turns through the trees with limited views of the Mission Valley and Flathead Lake. Some areas do have a fair share of potholes and loose rocks,…
Learn more about Minesinger to Hidden Lake Pt.1

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…
Learn more about Emery Creek

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…
Learn more about Desert Mountain

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…
Learn more about Emery Creek Desert Leg

Spectacular views of Flathead Lake and Kalispell. Smooth, well maintained, and easy going. No obstacles, but the first two miles are residential, and you may run into logging operations depending on the time of day.…
Learn more about Cramer Creek to Patrick Creek

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…
Learn more about Old Highway 2

This is a fun, easy drive with great views of the valley. The trail is well maintained and there are no obstacles. This route begins in Lakeside, and leads to a scenic overlook of the…
Learn more about Lakeside to Blacktail

This wide easy potholed trail provides access to the activities around Holland Lake. A lodge appears to offer horseback rides and a place to stay if you don't feel like camping. There are many hiking…
Learn more about Holland Lake

This easy potholed trail leads from the highway to the Lindbergh Lake boat launch and camping areas. Camping is first-come, first-serve, and $10/night. There are pit toilets and fire rings. Some sites have bear boxes,…
Learn more about Lindbergh Lake

This rocky trail heads up into the hills to the two lakes above Lindbergh lake. At the time of recording at the end of May, the snowpack became too deep to continue. There is no…
Learn more about Lindbergh to Meadow and Bunyan Lake

This easy trail loops through the trees and twists and turns and offers terrific views of the mountains as you work your way along. There are a few potholes, but generally, it's easy. Keep your…
Learn more about Owl Creek Loop

Easy, maintained scenic drive. The first few miles from Foys Canyon Road are residential. There are plenty of scenic pull-offs to enjoy, and the road provides access to the Foys-to-Blacktail hiking/biking trail. Emmons Creek intersects…
Learn more about Patrick Creek to Emmons Creek

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…
Learn more about Skyland

This short out and back leads to quite a few locked gates with plenty of options to proceed on foot beyond. You can even camp in one of a few dispersed camping spots to make…
Learn more about Salish Trapper

Although some public land connects with the lake, there appears to be no direct access. All beach areas appear private, and no dispersed camping spots were noticed; I would consider this a private lake unless…
Learn more about Pierce Lake

This easy trail twists and turns through swampy marshes and over the creek on bridges. There are very few dispersed camping spots. They are not super noticeable, so keep an eye out if that is…
Learn more about Beaver Creek Trailhead

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…
Learn more about Red Meadow Creek

This is a really fun loop with several access points to the Wild Bill OHV Recreation Trail. The main trailhead has a bathroom and a large parking area for trailers. Access to Mudhole Junction, Packrat…
Learn more about Wild Bill Creek/Firewood Trail to Truman Creek

This well-graded access route heads up into the hills and begins in the residential land below. The route is wide and bumpy, with washboard and loose gravel sections. The posted speed is 20 while in…
Learn more about Truman Creek Road