Off-Road Trails Near Carlton, Montana

McClain Creek Road is also known as Forest Service Road 1311 and goes from the Bitterroot Valley to Carlton Lake but is gated at the 5-mile mark. The road passes through the former McClay Ranch land that was part of the attempt to build Bitterroot Resort in the early 2000's. The road will cut across...
Learn more about McClain Creek Road (FS 1311)

This is a 4x4 high-clearance switchback dirt road. This trail begins through a gravel residential neighborhood; signs ask to drive slowly and keep the dust down. There are a few narrow one-lane sections that run up the ridges with pull-outs at the top and bottom of each section. Take note of pull-ou...
Learn more about Sweeney Creek Trail

This narrow, easy climb heads from the Bitterroot valley into the sapphire mountains. It begins in a residential area and then hits loose, steep switchbacks to begin the ascent. The trail gets relatively narrow in parts and has many low branches. Be aware of some rockslide areas and frequent slides ...
Learn more about 8 Mile

The Mormon Peak Trail is an out and back at Lolo National Forest, Montana. The ride is very smooth until a bumpy section at the top. There are pull-outs along the trail to camp, but the campsite at Mormon Peak has breathtaking views. Some cell service can be found on top of the mountain, but be sure...
Learn more about Mormon Peak

Fun switchback dirt trail that ends at a small parking area with a nice overlook. This is where the Bass Overlook Hiking trail #392 starts and is part of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Bass Overlook Trailhead has adequate parking for both cars and trailers. The overlook is a short walk from the p...
Learn more about Bass Overlook Trail

This is a rocky twisty ridge road. It's open seasonally with a gate near the first bottom switchback. The trail has fantastic views of the Bitterroot Valley and Sapphire Range. The trail is loose and rocky; in some spots, rockslides and loose hills could leave large impassable boulders in the way. T...
Learn more about Sluice Creek

Challenging for a new rider and is on the easier side if you're an experienced rider. This is a fun single track with great views and has everything from dirt to gravel to tree roots. This track is super fun and has an abundance of alternative routes that you could take if you check the information ...
Learn more about Blue Mountain Single Track

Be sure to start your day with a round of frisbee golf at the Blue Mountain Disc Golf Course before continuing up Blue Mountain to find incredible vistas of the Missoula valley. The road is well maintained gravel with some deeper potholes and jagged rocks but be prepared to run into snow during the ...
Learn more about Blue Mountain

Steep, rocky, loose hill climbs are abundant on this single track. There are sidehill exposures, and a fair bit of traffic because of the proximity to Missoula. Depending on season, day, and time of day, ride right and keep your head up in anticipation for traffic. There are alternate side trails i...
Learn more about Blue Mountain Look Out Trail

This is a steep descent from Blue Mountain Lookout on loose, rocky dirt. It may be difficult in wet conditions. It is great fun. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife.
Learn more about Blue Mountain Lookout Spur (6.07)

Great trail on a dirt bike. Good fast fun. There are a lot of steep, loose, rocky hill climbs and descents. There are a few off-camber sections, and it could get narrow for trucks or SUVs. It's an out-and-back for all but dirt or pedal bikes and hikers due to trail classifications.
Learn more about Grave Range Jeep Road - Blue Mountain

This is an enjoyable route that can be completed in 1-2 hours. The route consists of Forest Service roads that will take you through parts of Lolo and Clearwater National forests and is usually free of snow by mid-June. There are many spur trails and dispersed camping areas along this route.
Learn more about Elk Meadows - Packers Meadows

This ridge road blasts across the top of the ridge over the Yukon Saddle. It has long straight always with epic views, a dense forest section, an old burned-out section that's regrowing well, and a western-facing section that's hot as heck. There are some severe pot craters. Not potholes, craters! K...
Learn more about Middle Fork Schwartz

This peak tower access road starts with some loose rocky, rutted, steep, and longer duration climbs. There are also a few rainwater diverting hills. Once those are out of the way, the trail is relatively easy, with tight turns and some rocky sections. A few spots collect water and end up with larger...
Learn more about Miller Peak

This easy out-and-back passes by a great shooting range spot carved into the hillside about a third of the way along the trail. There are tight turns and muddy puddles from all the little springs that bubble up along the trail. Watch for boulders that roll down the cliffside, as they could be hiding...
Learn more about West Greenough

Larch Camp Road is Located in a part of The Lolo National Forest in the South Hills of Missoula, Montana. It is a scenic backcountry road just a few miles from town. Great hiking in the area along with amazing scenery all around. Road is easy gravel for any type of vehicle.
Learn more about Larch Camp Road

This offshoot of Elk Meadows FS 451 offers fantastic views of the South Fork of Lolo Creek drainage. There are several nice dispersed campsites that have excellent views. The out-and-back extension is worth checking out if you are already on a trip from Elk Meadows to Packer Meadows and have extra t...
Learn more about Small Creek FS 4292

Forest Service (FS) #2127-1 is open from 5/16 to 11/30. The 7.3-mile drive along the rugged forest service road is an adventurous and scenic journey. Steep mountainsides offer thrilling moments and breathtaking views of the skyline that make it worthwhile. Despite the rough terrain, cell phone servi...
Learn more about Forest Service (FS) #2127-1

This dirt road into the Saphire Mountains is THE smoothest and most effortless way up the mountain range. The grade isn't steep. The potholes are few. The only drawback is that there are few pullouts for oncoming traffic, but you'll make it work. There are a couple of directions you can choose to ad...
Learn more about Schwartz Creek

This fun little out-and-back deviates from the main trail into the hills. There are lots of twists and turns, dips and dives. It's generally narrow with a few mild rutted sections. Once you pass the Y, there are deeper dugouts and some rocky areas with a few switchbacks. The trail ends at a decent l...
Learn more about South Ambrose

McClain Creek Road is also known as Forest Service Road 1311 and goes from the Bitterroot Valley to Carlton Lake but is gated at the 5-mile mark. The road passes through the former McClay Ranch land that was part of the attempt to build Bitterroot Resort in the early 2000's. The road will cut across...
Learn more about McClain Creek Road (FS 1311)

This is a 4x4 high-clearance switchback dirt road. This trail begins through a gravel residential neighborhood; signs ask to drive slowly and keep the dust down. There are a few narrow one-lane sections that run up the ridges with pull-outs at the top and bottom of each section. Take note of pull-ou...
Learn more about Sweeney Creek Trail

This narrow, easy climb heads from the Bitterroot valley into the sapphire mountains. It begins in a residential area and then hits loose, steep switchbacks to begin the ascent. The trail gets relatively narrow in parts and has many low branches. Be aware of some rockslide areas and frequent slides ...
Learn more about 8 Mile

The Mormon Peak Trail is an out and back at Lolo National Forest, Montana. The ride is very smooth until a bumpy section at the top. There are pull-outs along the trail to camp, but the campsite at Mormon Peak has breathtaking views. Some cell service can be found on top of the mountain, but be sure...
Learn more about Mormon Peak

McClain Creek Road is also known as Forest Service Road 1311 and goes from the Bitterroot Valley to Carlton Lake but is gated at the 5-mile mark. The road passes through the former McClay Ranch land that was part of the attempt to build Bitterroot Resort in the early 2000's. The road will cut across...
Learn more about McClain Creek Road (FS 1311)

This is a 4x4 high-clearance switchback dirt road. This trail begins through a gravel residential neighborhood; signs ask to drive slowly and keep the dust down. There are a few narrow one-lane sections that run up the ridges with pull-outs at the top and bottom of each section. Take note of pull-ou...
Learn more about Sweeney Creek Trail

This narrow, easy climb heads from the Bitterroot valley into the sapphire mountains. It begins in a residential area and then hits loose, steep switchbacks to begin the ascent. The trail gets relatively narrow in parts and has many low branches. Be aware of some rockslide areas and frequent slides ...
Learn more about 8 Mile

The Mormon Peak Trail is an out and back at Lolo National Forest, Montana. The ride is very smooth until a bumpy section at the top. There are pull-outs along the trail to camp, but the campsite at Mormon Peak has breathtaking views. Some cell service can be found on top of the mountain, but be sure...
Learn more about Mormon Peak