Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Big Sky Colony, Montana
Skyland
Great views and free camp spots along this trail. It is an easy gravel road that can easily be used by larger vehicles and campers. A little creek and waterfall can be seen at the… Learn more about Skyland
Total Miles
15.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Hungry Horse Reservoir - East
This is an easy, scenic drive down the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir. Many developed and primitive camping spots, with numerous lake access points and lots of hiking trails. This is considered the higher-traffic… Learn more about Hungry Horse Reservoir - East
Total Miles
47.6
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Hungry Horse Reservoir - West
This is a scenic drive down the west side of Hungry Horse Reservoir. There are plenty of developed and primitive camping spots, and lake access points everywhere. The road is maintained, and paved for the… Learn more about Hungry Horse Reservoir - West
Total Miles
49.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Inside North Fork Rd
This is a well maintained gravel road that meanders through Glacier National Park north of Lake McDonald. Many areas around this road have experienced a wild fire in recent history and caution should be taken… Learn more about Inside North Fork Rd
Total Miles
12.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Desert Mountain
This is a scenic road that leads to the top of Desert Mountain where you can get a spectacular nearly 240 degree view of the surrounding area at an elevation of 6,415. There is also… Learn more about Desert Mountain
Total Miles
8.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Jewel Basin Road
Fun, scenic trail that leads to epic hiking. Road is rough and narrow, but still passable with most 2wd cars. Expect potholes, washboard, and steep sections. You'll arrive at the Camp Misery trailhead about 30… Learn more about Jewel Basin Road
Total Miles
6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Red Meadow Creek
This is an amazing trail that begins at the north end of Whitefish Lake and meanders through Stillwater State Forest, Flathead National Forest, past Upper Whitefish Lake and up to Red Meadow Lake. The trail… Learn more about Red Meadow Creek
Total Miles
76.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Strawberry Lake Trail
This does not take you to Strawberry Lake, but rather the trailhead to hike into the lake. The trail is narrow, rocky, and steep in some sections. There was a wide variety of cars and… Learn more about Strawberry Lake Trail
Total Miles
3.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Peter's Ridge Road
This is a quick, scenic drive with several trailheads for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and dirt bikes. The road is well maintained with no real obstacles except potholes and shallow ruts. You'll find several… Learn more about Peter's Ridge Road
Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Trail Creek
This is fun, easy trail with great views of the Flathead Valley. The road is maintained and accessible during late spring, summer and fall. There are several trailheads for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and… Learn more about Trail Creek
Total Miles
7.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Mission Divide/Crane Mtn Road
Fun, easy-going trail with great views of the Swan Valley and Swan mountain range! No major obstacles and well kept, with plenty of hiking and epic mountain biking trails and a small pond along the… Learn more about Mission Divide/Crane Mtn Road
Total Miles
15.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
North Fork Road
This road takes you from Columbia Falls to the Canadian Border! Fun drive with lots of great stops, and two entrances to Glacier National Park. The most popular stop is Polebridge, MT, where you can… Learn more about North Fork Road
Total Miles
14.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Holland Lake
This wide easy potholed trail provides access to the activities around Holland Lake. A lodge appears to offer horseback rides and a place to stay if you don't feel like camping. There are many hiking… Learn more about Holland Lake
Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Owl Creek Loop
This easy trail loops through the trees and twists and turns and offers terrific views of the mountains as you work your way along. There are a few potholes, but generally, it's easy. Keep your… Learn more about Owl Creek Loop
Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Trail Creek to Graves Creek
A fun and scenic drive through Northwest Montana. This trail is approximately 2 hours long, but expect an hour drive to get to the trail from Kalispell. From the North Ford Road, the trail starts… Learn more about Trail Creek to Graves Creek
Total Miles
29.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Cramer Creek to Patrick Creek
Spectacular views of Flathead Lake and Kalispell. Smooth, well maintained, and easy going. No obstacles, but the first two miles are residential, and you may run into logging operations depending on the time of day.… Learn more about Cramer Creek to Patrick Creek
Total Miles
9.4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Patrick Creek to Emmons Creek
Easy, maintained scenic drive. The first few miles from Foys Canyon Road are residential. There are plenty of scenic pull-offs to enjoy, and the road provides access to the Foys-to-Blacktail hiking/biking trail. Emmons Creek intersects… Learn more about Patrick Creek to Emmons Creek
Total Miles
17.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
East Trout Creek Road
Take Highway 520 exit off Highway 22. The route starts off on gravel road, but a third of the way in turns to dirt roads, and there are numerous areas with significant ruts. Weather can… Learn more about East Trout Creek Road
Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
Lakeside to Blacktail
This is a fun, easy drive with great views of the valley. The trail is well maintained and there are no obstacles. This route begins in Lakeside, and leads to a scenic overlook of the… Learn more about Lakeside to Blacktail
Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Wild Bill Creek/Firewood Trail to Truman Creek
This is a really fun loop with several access points to the Wild Bill OHV Recreation Trail. The main trailhead has a bathroom and a large parking area for trailers. Access to Mudhole Junction, Packrat… Learn more about Wild Bill Creek/Firewood Trail to Truman Creek
Total Miles
21.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Blacktail Wild Bill OHV Trail
This trail offers bypasses on all of the challenging features, so you can choose the obstacles you want to attempt. Very deep snow in winter will makes the trail much more difficult. Learn more about Blacktail Wild Bill OHV Trail