Reanus Cone Trail Part 1

Reanus Cone Trail Part 1 is a scenic, beginner-friendly escape that winds through the mixed ponderosa pines and expansive high meadows of the Custer National Forest in southeastern Montana. Perfect for stock four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and dirt bikes, this 4.4-mile unpaved route offers a relaxing drive with a technical rating of 2, making it an ideal choice for families and novice offroaders. The track begins at an elevation of 3,461 feet and climbs steadily through the rolling hills, gaining approximately 600 feet of cumulative elevation before reaching its high point of 3,960 feet. Along this dirt and rocky path, travelers can expect to encounter occasional shallow mud holes and minor obstacles under 12 inches, which are easily managed by high-clearance rigs. Wildlife is abundant throughout the journey, with frequent opportunities to spot wild turkeys, prairie dogs, and mule deer grazing in the sweeping meadows. To reach the trailhead, drivers will head south from Montana Highway 212 onto Forest Service Road 484, also known as Otter Creek Road, and proceed roughly 25 miles to the well-marked sign directing toward Reanus Cone. This unpaved road is typically unmaintained after rain or snow, so keeping an eye on the weather is essential as wet conditions can quickly turn the dirt surface into slippery mud. The trail culminates near the historic, cone-shaped geological feature of Reanus Cone, which rises to 4,035 feet above sea level and offers panoramic views of the rugged Powder River County landscape in every direction.