Trail Overview

Hellroaring Road is a 4x4 trail located in the Custer Gallatin National Forest outside Red Lodge, Montana near the base of the Beartooth Highway. The trail is out and back, about 6 miles long each way, and takes about 1.5hr to reach the top. It is not particularly technical but very rocky and narrow in some areas. In these narrow areas, you or your passengers may be looking straight down the mountainside! The trail is Forest Service Road 2004 or Hellroaring Rd on Google Maps. The Motor Vehicle Use Map for this area is Custer Gallatin National Forest South Beartooth Front. The trail is open to all types of off-road vehicles, including motorcycles, ATVs, and 4x4s, although according to the MVUM, open to "Highway legal vehicles only." Due to sharp turns and the narrow sections, a full-size pickup truck or long-wheel base full-size SUV is not recommended, regardless of ground clearance. The trail begins at the Hellroaring Road Trailhead, which is located off Highway 212. The Hellroaring Road trail is a great way to experience the wilderness of Montana. The trail offers stunning views of nearby Beartooth Highway and the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Photos of Hellroaring Plateau

Want to see more?
View All Photos

Difficulty

This is a very bumpy route with continuous rocky terrain and many sharp rocks along the way.

Technical Rating

Nathan Mcpherson

Jul 01, 2026

Open

Normal

The reconditioned road leading to the new bridge was well-maintained and suitable for a small SUV or AWD vehicle. After crossing the bridge, the terrain turned rocky and narrow in some spots, but overall, it was an enjoyable drive with stunning scenery!

James H

Jun 26, 2026

2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

Open

Normal

Clear to the top. One tight turn near the top that was partially covered with snow but passable.

Colin Arner

Jun 08, 2026

Obstructed

Deep Snow

Can make it to lake but hit snow shortly after. Atv could make it much farther than a 4x4. Summit is still too much snow for anything.

Tyler Ripley

Jun 05, 2026

Obstructed

Deep Snow

Made the drive up to the new bridge this morning. The road to the new bridge is very good but i would not do it with a sedan or car. I parked at the new bridge and walked up as there was a couple that informed me there was snow just up the road. On the walk i found the trail very much in the same condition that my father and i found it in 97-98. We went to the top in a 91 Explorer and it was dicey! I can see someone easily doing this trail with side by sides or atvs. At this moment i would not drive past the new bridge in my Jeep. Beautiful spot and well worth driving the first bit for the view. Enjoy!!

Peter Beeman

Oct 22, 2025

2012 RAM 2500

Open

NormalSnow/Ice

First part of the trail was good, after I went over the big bridge about halfway up the trail got pretty icy, I got to the spot in photo #1 and decided to carefully back down to the next spot I could turn around, my truck is too big and heavy for me to carry on with the ice and tight trail, nice little outing either way.

Kirk T

Aug 31, 2025

Open

DustyWashboard

Not very technical but it is very narrow with thousand feet plus steep drop offs on the downhill side. Definitely requires your full attention for a fair amount of the trail. The trail has got a lot of chunky sharp rocks, definitely need good off-road/truck rated tires and a reasonable amount of ground clearance. Mostly ATVs and Side by Sides. Definitely passable by 4x4 vehicles but having to pass another full size at any point on most of the trail would prove to be difficult and dangerous.

David Traverso

Aug 24, 2025

2024 Ford Bronco

Open

Normal

Road crew did an excellent job of improving the road up to the new bridge. Easy to reach this point with any SUV. Past the bridge the road is open but remains unimproved.

Adam H

Aug 24, 2025

Open

Normal

Chris Brohard

Aug 04, 2025

Temporarily Closed

Trail RestorationClosed GatePosted Sign

bridge out - closed for construction

Brandon Schenk

Jul 06, 2025

Temporarily Closed

Closed GatePosted SignTrail Restoration

Kerby Barnes

Jun 27, 2025

2016 Polaris RZR S 900

Temporarily Closed

Trail Restoration

spoke with USFS in Red Lodge 2day(27th) about hell roaring. If everything goes well should be open in about 3 weeks.

Raph Z

May 31, 2025

Obstructed

trail is still closed at the 2nd bridge at hellroaring creek. which is about halfway up

Josh Harper

Sep 12, 2024

Obstructed

Washout

About halfway up the trail the bridge is washed out from bad flooding this past spring. You can’t navigate a vehicle past the wash out but you could continue on foot.

Cy Lainhart

Jul 12, 2024

Obstructed

Washout

About halfway thru trail-Bridge is washed out—Road is CLOSED..

Michael Schoenike

Apr 15, 2024

2020 Jeep Wrangler

Open

Mostly clear for the first two and a half miles or so. Snow starts getting deeper just before you arrive at the washed out bridge at almost 3 miles up the road. (The bridge itself is actually fine but the far bank is completely washed out leaving about a 30 foot impassable gap.)