Trail Overview
Moose Lake Road (Forest Service Road 5113) is a 15.4-mile gravel route running alongside the Middle Fork of Rock Creek in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Starting from Skalkaho Road (Montana Highway 38) and traveling south to the Middle Fork Trailhead, this smooth, mostly flat drive climbs gently from 5,435 feet to 6,412 feet. It is highly accessible for passenger cars and stock SUVs, offering scenic mountain views of Emerine Mount and Moose Mountain.
The corridor provides numerous dispersed campsites, trout fishing along the creek, and views of Moose Lake and the historic Old Dominion Mine near the southern end. The road serves as a major gateway to the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness and is typically passable from late spring through autumn before becoming snow-covered in winter.
History
The southern portion of Moose Lake Road near Moose Lake features visible remains of the Old Dominion Mine, a historic mining operation from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Access Description
Located within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the road is open to all motor vehicles. There are no fees or permits required to drive the road, but standard National Forest regulations apply for camping and wilderness trail use. The road may be impassable in winter due to snowpack.
