Beginner Off-Road Trails Near West Yellowstone, Montana
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Madison Arm
This broad, well-maintained dirt and gravel trail runs along Hegben Lake. It can be accessed from Highway 191 and Highway 20 just outside the town of West Yellowstone. The Madison Arm Resort Camp and Marina… Learn more about Madison Arm
Total Miles
11
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Whisky Bay Trail
Are you looking for day-use access to Whisky Bay? This is the main trail across Whisky Bay with loops and fingers off of it with lots of day-use spots along the bay. The trail is… Learn more about Whisky Bay Trail
Total Miles
4.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Whisky Bay Day Use 1
There are two day use loops off the Whisky Bay trail; this day use trail is close to highway 191, it's longer than the other day use areas with more pull-offs, and it has some… Learn more about Whisky Bay Day Use 1
Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Cougar Cr Park Boundary
If you want to experience a little Yellowstone but are not planning on going to the park, this trail has a few hidden gems. It is a day-use area and runs right along the Yellowstone… Learn more about Cougar Cr Park Boundary
Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Cougar C Trail
This is a nice connection trail between Highway 191 and the Whisky Bay trail. It is a broad, well-maintained dirt and gravel trail primarily through tall trees. It's longer but much smoother than the whisky… Learn more about Cougar C Trail
Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Whisky Bay Day Use 2
There are two-day use loops off the Whisky Bay trail. This day-use trail is close to the Horse Butte trail and rainbow point; it's slightly shorter than the other day-use area and runs higher above… Learn more about Whisky Bay Day Use 2
Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Su
Rainbow Point
This easy, wide, well-maintained dirt trail connects Rainbow Point and the Rainbow Point campground to Hegben Lake and the first-day use areas on the lake. It's a nice trail through the trees with some washboard… Learn more about Rainbow Point
Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Buttermilk Creek Trail
Two track with great tree cover. Some wet sections. The trail is rutted and has several loose rock sections. The trailhead is located right after you enter the West Yellowstone valley. It has several open… Learn more about Buttermilk Creek Trail
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Stoddard Point
This is an easy out-and-back offshoot trail through some seasonal forest service cabins off the main Madison Arm Trail. Follow the onX track carefully and obey all signs, there are lots of dirt roads that… Learn more about Stoddard Point
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Su
Hegben Lake Trail
This wide, well-maintained gravel and dirt trail runs along Hegben Lake. Some sections of the trail have a bit of bumpy washboard. Most lake access is from established campgrounds and designated dispersed camping areas. Most… Learn more about Hegben Lake Trail
Total Miles
8.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Whits Lake Trail
This is a beautiful dirt and gravel trail that heads up to a couple of hiking trailheads. There are two designated dispersed campsites on the way up. One had an Airstream parked at it when… Learn more about Whits Lake Trail
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Red Canyon
This is a pretty out-and-back trail up through red canyon that ends at the hiking trail for Red Canyon Creek. The beginning of the trail is through private property, and the trail surface is well-maintained… Learn more about Red Canyon
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Meadow Creek Road
This local road travels along the east side of the large, flat meadow just north of Robin's Roost on Hwy 20. There is a small lodge/restaurant that is a favorite hang-out for snowmobilers in the… Learn more about Meadow Creek Road
Total Miles
7.5
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Two Tops Canyon
This Forest Service Road traverses a canyon around the base of the locally famous Two Tops Mountain. Snowmobilers and 50" SxSs can go to the top, but larger machines are restricted from the area. This… Learn more about Two Tops Canyon
Total Miles
7.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Garner Canyon
This is a short, fun adventure through a small mountain meadow and tree-lined trails. This is a great place to take a family hike, enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch and take in the beauty of… Learn more about Garner Canyon
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Buffalo River via Fish Creek
This is a fun Forest Service Road that will take you up Fish Creek Road where you will turn onto Chick Creek Road up to almost 8,000 feet with spectacular views of the area to… Learn more about Buffalo River via Fish Creek
Total Miles
19.8
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Fish - Chick Creek Roads
This is a fun ride on Forest Service roads that travels through some very picturesque woods. Along the path there are streams, meadows and views but watch out for the wildlife. It is not uncommon… Learn more about Fish - Chick Creek Roads
Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Red Rock Pass Island Park
Red Rock Pass is a pleasant, very easy gravel road along Henry's Lake and the Centennial Mountains in Island Park. It offers great views throughout and good chances to see wildlife. Learn more about Red Rock Pass Island Park
Total Miles
11
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Red Rock Lakes
Easy, yet extremely remote route through the historic Centennial Valley. Highlights include the Red Rock Lakes Wildlife Refuge with a chance to view many important waterfowl species, including the trumpeter swan, which was once near… Learn more about Red Rock Lakes
Total Miles
53.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Sawtell Peak
Sawtell Peak Road is a great destination for anyone that enjoys sweeping views. It takes you more than 9,800 feet to great 360-degree views of 3 different states. This makes a perfect unique stop to… Learn more about Sawtell Peak
Total Miles
9.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Year-round
Coffee Pot
This is a wide dirt and gravel trail through very tall trees. The trail is grated and well maintained up to the Coffee Pot Campground. There is no day use or river access at the… Learn more about Coffee Pot
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Flat Rock of Potholes
This is a wide dusty gravel trail through tall trees with no good views. There are two extensive dispersed campsites with camping areas on either end of the trail. About 20-30 trailer campers were packed… Learn more about Flat Rock of Potholes
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
Beaver Creek Gallatin Forest
This is a lovely little hidden gem of a trail just outside West Yellowstone in the mountains. Beaver Creek runs right along a good portion of the beginning of this trail, and there are lots… Learn more about Beaver Creek Gallatin Forest
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Butterfly Loop
This is the dirt trail portion of Butterfly Loop. It could be run from the highway towards the river ending at the Buttermilk Campground, with river access and a boat launch. Or this trail can… Learn more about Butterfly Loop
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Continental Divide Trail (FS 20056)
This trail is the portal to several wonderful adventures in this area. There are trailheads with parking areas for a limited number of vehicles with trailers on either end. Red Rock Road has more parking… Learn more about Continental Divide Trail (FS 20056)
Total Miles
11.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Box Canyon Trailhead
This dirt trail runs through private seasonal cabins, so it's slow going for dust control. The trail is well maintained until reaching the furthest out point where it turns off for a hiking trail and… Learn more about Box Canyon Trailhead
Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Antelope Basin (FS 230)
If toured at the correct time of the year, this is an exceptionally beautiful area with tall grasses and fields of wildflowers. In addition, there are many unique and spectacular rock formations. One that struck… Learn more about Antelope Basin (FS 230)
Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Beer Run
The trail starts near Saint Anthony Sand Dunes in open desert cattle land. The route, then takes you through forests by the Island Park Reservoir, and ends by following between the road and Henrys Fork.… Learn more about Beer Run
Total Miles
50.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Lone Tree Pass-Deer Mountain Road
This section of trail is a fun exploration of some rocky terrain that climbs to almost 8,400 feet over a pass, giving you views of Elk Lake and the wildlife refuge area to the west.… Learn more about Lone Tree Pass-Deer Mountain Road