Smith Ridge Dead End

Smith Ridge Dead End offers a tight, scenic forest crawl for high-clearance four-wheel-drive owners and SxS riders seeking a brief detour off the main Smith Creek route. Spanning approximately 0.7 miles through a dense canopy, this unpaved spur begins with dispersed camping opportunities before making a hard left turn into thick timber. Full-size vehicles should exercise caution beyond the campsite, as the corridor becomes increasingly narrow with almost no room to turn around before dead-ending, potentially forcing larger rigs to back out. Descending roughly 203 feet from a starting elevation of 4,701 feet, the dirt track is generally easy to navigate when dry but becomes slick and challenging during wet weather. A seasonal closure is in effect from October 14th to June 16th to protect local wildlife habitats, making late summer the prime time to explore. Keep an eye out for elk, deer, and black bears in the surrounding woods, and be prepared for spotty LTE cell service along the route.