Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Charlo, Montana

Mill Creek

If you want to rattle every bolt loose on your vehicle, then this is the road for you. This is an extremely rough road that connects Arlee and Frenchtown. There aren't many views, and a…
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Total Miles
10.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Edith Peak 476-1

Make your way up to Edith Peak and enjoy views of the valley floor below, vibrant wildflowers, and (if you're lucky) a snow-capped Ch-paa-qn Peak in spring. This road is usually buried in snow from…
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Total Miles
12.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Jocko Road

Travel this easy section through the Jocko Canyon along the stunning Jocko River. Other sights along this route include the pristine Jocko Lakes and Placid Lake.
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Total Miles
30
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Upper Six Mile 5598 / Main Six West 4223

An easy road winding its way up Six Mile to Edith Peak. Hopefully, you're not afraid of heights as this road does narrow with steep drops, but there is plenty of room if your stomach…
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Total Miles
7.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Stony Creek 2178

Explore up Stony Creek to access Ch-Paa-Qn Peak trailhead or just to soak in the wildflowers and views in Spring and Summer. This road winds its way up above Stony Creek and progressively narrows and…
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Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su

Kennedy Ridge 5507

While this road boasts beautiful views, access to hiking trails, and other opportunities to explore, the pin-striping and steep drops may deter the average full-width driver. This road starts off as a well-maintained gravel road…
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Total Miles
8.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Butler Creek Loop 456

Looking for an afternoon outing with access to campsites, picnic areas, views, and light hiking? Look no further! This simple loop will take you along well-maintained gravel roads while giving you access to all that…
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Total Miles
7.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Lindbergh to Meadow and Bunyan Lake

This rocky trail heads up into the hills to the two lakes above Lindbergh lake. At the time of recording at the end of May, the snowpack became too deep to continue. There is no…
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Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Lindbergh Lake

This easy potholed trail leads from the highway to the Lindbergh Lake boat launch and camping areas. Camping is first-come, first-serve, and $10/night. There are pit toilets and fire rings. Some sites have bear boxes,…
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Southside Road

Easy Backroad that runs along the river and though the forest. Light grade changes and no major hurdles. Great Family Trip with lots of wildflowers, scenic pullouts, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
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Total Miles
21
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Beaver Creek Trailhead

This easy trail twists and turns through swampy marshes and over the creek on bridges. There are very few dispersed camping spots. They are not super noticeable, so keep an eye out if that is…
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Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Corral Creek Rd 2146

Corral Creek road draws its name from the corral at the north end of the road and offers access to beautiful views of the Missoula and Frenchtown areas as well as access to the Lolo…
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Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Albert Lothrop Rd 5563

Climb your way up into the hills above Alberton and enjoy the views of the Clark Fork river as well as the hills of the Lolo National Forest. This well maintained dirt road is open…
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Total Miles
13
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Salish Trapper

This short out and back leads to quite a few locked gates with plenty of options to proceed on foot beyond. You can even camp in one of a few dispersed camping spots to make…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

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…
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Total Miles
15.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

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…
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Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Nemote Creek to Stark Lookout

The route begins on a two-lane gravel road that eventually works its way down to one. The road can be dusty if it has been dry, but really a great ride if it rained the…
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Total Miles
13.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Pierce Lake

Although some public land connects with the lake, there appears to be no direct access. All beach areas appear private, and no dispersed camping spots were noticed; I would consider this a private lake unless…
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Total Miles
1.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Lake Marshall

This beautiful scenic run to Lake Marshall offers tons of camping access along the way, with limited spots once you arrive at the lake. There is no apparent put-in for boats at this lake. Along…
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Total Miles
6.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

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…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

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…
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Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

West Fork Clearwater River

This trail leads to the trailhead for the hike of the same name. There is ample parking for horses and trailers or whatever you may drive at the trailhead. There are livestock hitching posts as…
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Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Richmond Marshall Hookup Trail

This leisurely trail cruises through the trees across the streams, and along the ridge. The views across the valley are spectacular and quite vast. It's a great spot to watch the storms roll across the…
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

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…
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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.
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Total Miles
18.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Be

West Fork Petty Creek Rd 22

If you're looking for access to deep sections of Lolo National Forest near Alberton, this is a great place to start. The road is well maintained gravel and dirt during summer but the snow doesn't…
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Total Miles
8.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Blue Mountain

Be sure to start your day with a round of frisbee golf at the Blue Mountain Disc Golf Course before continuing up Blue Mountain to find incredible vistas of the Missoula valley. The road is…
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Total Miles
12.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su

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.…
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Total Miles
9.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Secondary Road A

This steep climb up the hill provides easy access to a few different old logging trails that are now closed to motorized travel. Have a horse, mountain bike, two feet? Then these are very open…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

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…
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Total Miles
17.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa