Off-Road Trails Near Florence, Montana

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

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

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 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

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

This is a pretty wooded dirt trail that runs along the hillsides between McCalla Ridge and St.Mary's. It can be used to connect all three trails up to make a loop. This trail is less traveled than the others and is narrow in places running one car width along some of the ridge sections. with few g...
Learn more about McCalla to St.Mary's Connection

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

This trail spurs off from the South Ambrose Trail. It starts out easy with some fun turns and a few dispersed camping spots. As one continues, one will encounter some deeper puddles and washouts. About halfway up the trip, it comes to a sharp left-hand turn with a fire ring, and from there, it narro...
Learn more about Middle Ambrose

Dirt and rocky switchback trail running up to McCalla peak. This trail is overgrown and very narrow in a lot of places. Would recommend this trail be traveled in smaller offroad vehicles such as SxS, ATV, or Dirtbike. There is a campsite or area to park a truck and trailer at the beginning of th...
Learn more about McCalla Switchbacks

This trail is mostly a 1 but earns the 2 rating in the last mile due to two switchbacks getting to the top of the trail. This trail is used primarily to access the very popular St.Mary's hiking trailhead. There is a small parking area at the top that tightly accommodates about 10 vehicles. From the ...
Learn more about St. Mary's Peak Trail

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 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

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 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

This is a stunning drive into the Bitterroots from the Bell Crossing area. You start in a residential area and ascend to the trailhead for the Glen Lake hike. Along the way are a few hidden waterfalls, some dispersed camping spots, and a few breathtaking corners as you climb above the Bitterroot Val...
Learn more about Smith Ridge Glen Lake

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

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)

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

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

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 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

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

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

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 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