Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Brandon, Montana

Granite Lake

Fairly easy trail with some great views. Trail got narrow in some spots from freshly cut trees. Some quick switchbacks could be challenging in a longer wheelbase. Not a lot of traffic on the trail…
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Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Cliff Lake Trail

This is a very short trail to Cliff Lake at the top of the McKelvey Lake Trail and accessed from Mine Lake. Although short, the lake is absolutely worth seeing and the fishing is great.…
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Total Miles
0.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Barton Gulch

The Barton Gulch trail is a scenic drive that runs across the northern reaches of the Gravelly Range in Montana. Explore its winding two-tracks, and you'll witness abandoned cabins nestled by babbling brooks, open meadows…
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Total Miles
17.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Barton Gulch and Offshoots

Beautiful trail with awesome views. Easy trail that gets narrow in spots and had some low hanging fallen trees that could be an issue if you don't want scratches in your paint. Stock 4x4s won't…
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Total Miles
24
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Potosi Willow Creek

This is an easy grated out and back dirt road begins through some open range before turning up into the mountains. Watch for range cattle on the road early in the trail. Once the trail…
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Total Miles
13.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Axolotl Lakes Road

Axolotl Lakes Road is like a fine sampling of the beauty Montana has to offer. It begins in one of the state's charming towns, Virginia City, complete with weathered wooden buildings and small restaurants and…
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Total Miles
11.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Centennial Divide

This easy and scenic route connects Montana's Centennial Valley and Ruby River Reservoir. Along its path, you'll pass a well-known bison ranch, trace portions of the Ruby River, and spend most of your trip flanked…
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Total Miles
54.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su

Point of Jefferson River Loop

This mostly dirt loop trail takes you from the downtown of Whitehall into the countryside and drives along the Jefferson River. There are several spots along the trail that have excellent views of the river…
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Total Miles
16.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Warm Springs Creek Road (FA 163) w/Cow Camp Road (FS1234)

Warm Springs Creek Road takes you from the Gravelly Range ridge line to Continental Divide/Upper Ruby Road. Assuming you start on the upper ridge along Gravelly Range Road, you go down the road looking back…
Learn more about Warm Springs Creek Road (FA 163) w/Cow Camp Road (FS1234)
Total Miles
10.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Continental Divide/Upper Ruby Road (FS100) (Parital)

This road is a main traffic corridor between the N Valley Road, near the southern MT border and Alder, MT. There are numerous homes and ranch buildings in the area with additional traffic. This input…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Gravelly Range Road (FS290) (Partial)

Gravelly Range Road is a very long road that runs from Red Rock Lakes Road west of the Island Park, ID to a point just east of Virginia City, MT. The section of road included…
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Total Miles
13.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Johnny Ridge Road - FS324

This trail offers either an opportunity to leave the ridge on Gravelly Range Road and descend to a trailhead at McAtee Bridge near State Highway 287 or to climb up to Gravelly Range Road. This…
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Total Miles
14.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Spire Flat Track 8635

On this trail, you can expect small rocks, nice straightaways, some corners, and small inclines/declines. Overall the trail is fairly smooth and excellent for all riders alike. The trail runs North to South and meets…
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Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Bigfoot Creek to Hay Creek

Running just east of Montana's State Route 399 / Whitetail Road, you'll find this trail meandering through the eastern slopes of Deer Lodge National Forest. Outstanding views, a few obstacles and trails just wide enough…
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Total Miles
17.7
Tech Rating
3 Moderate
Best Time
Su

Gravelly Range South (FS290)

This is the southeastern portion of this long Forest Service Road through the upper plateau area of the Gravelly Range. On the northern end of this section, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of…
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Total Miles
20.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Standard Creek Rd w/Wolverine Basin

Standard Creek Road (FS237) is a beautiful climb from the Madison River Basin up into the Gravelly Range. The views are spectacular and many side trails exist for exploring. The views often show three to…
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Total Miles
22.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Trail Less Traveled

This short little trail (1 mile) goes into a secluded, quiet part of the Deerlodge National Forest where most people don't go. It's about a 10-minute trail. It offers beautiful tent camping and picnic locations.…
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Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Rebish Camp

This is a side trail that most people will pass by as they marvel at the views all around by don't. At the end of this short trail is an exceptional old cabin with outbuildings…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Boulder Alley Spur

This track exits the Bigfoot Creek to Hay Creek Trail, goes west for just over a mile, connects with Boulder Alley Trail, and gets into an area of large boulders and pine trees. If you're…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

High Mountain Meadows

An easy 4-mile trail at just over 6000 feet, crossing high mountain meadows and forests. Our 75" SXS fit easily. It's beautiful scenery with lots of potential for wildlife. This trail loops back to the…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Boulder Alley

This track exits the Bigfoot Creek to Hay Creek Trail, goes west for just over a mile, and gets into an area of large boulders and pine trees. If you're on a quad or a…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Puddle Splasher

This 2.4-mile trail takes only 15-20 minutes to complete. In late July there were multiple puddles to cross, so there is probably water in this area routinely. It's an excellent route to work your way…
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Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Boulder to Toston via Black Sage Pass

For those who like to take the road less traveled, this back road trek will take you between the small Montana towns of Boulder and Toston. Traversing Jefferson and Broadwater counties this route takes about…
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Total Miles
40.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Eureka Basin Road (FS 347)

This road is actually a connector between Gravelly Range Road and Centennial Divide Road. Like Gravelly, this road has some spectacular views, and on the southern end, you will drop off the upper mesa at…
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Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Canyon Creek - Quartz Hill

This route will take you through Vipond Park, a subalpine meadow. The southern approach to the meadow is a very steep single-lane road with limited turnouts, do not bring a trailer on this side. This…
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Total Miles
22.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Little Boulder River Rd

This is a great little out-and-back trail that starts out fairly easy with some loose rocks and tight pinches. It gets harder half way through, when the trail gets steeper up a very loose and…
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Total Miles
8.9
Tech Rating
3 Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

North Whitetail Road Spur

This spur explores a portion of the Deerlodge National Forest west of North Whitetail Road. From Boulder, MT, take Highway 69 south towards Whitehall. Turn right on North Whitetail Road. You can stage in some…
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Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Fish Creek Ridge Road (FS 9626)

If you're not careful, you will drive past this trail from either end. The only thing marking a trail on the Eureka Basin end is a very old FS sign that informs you that this…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

South Beaver

This is a short rutty loop. You'll find a steep hill at the end that adds some excitement to your trip. Pretty simple work for most 4x4 vehicles. Always come prepared with rescue gear, especially…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Fish Creek Lake Road (Partial)

This is an exciting adventure with some great views, trail obstacles, and two lakes that had fish rising to get the numerous bugs, due to the approaching thunderstorm when we were there. Be aware, this…
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Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa