Beginner Off-Road Trails Near East Missoula, Montana
Larch Camp Road
Larch Camp Road is Located in a part of The Lolo National Forest in the South Hills of Missoula, Montana. It is a scenic backcountry road just a few miles from town. Great hiking in… Learn more about Larch Camp Road
Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Miller Peak
This peak tower access road starts with some loose rocky, rutted, steep, and longer duration climbs. There are also a few rainwater diverting hills. Once those are out of the way, the trail is relatively… Learn more about Miller Peak
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
West Greenough
This easy out and back passes by a great shooting range spot carved into the hillside about 1/3 of the way along the trail. There are tight turns and muddy puddles from all the little… Learn more about West Greenough
Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
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… Learn more about Blue Mountain
Total Miles
12.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
West Holloman Schwartz
This rim road cruises along the top of the hills and has epic views around almost every corner as it twists and turns its way to the Holoman Saddle. There are a few different decent-sized… Learn more about West Holloman Schwartz
Total Miles
4.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Middle Fork Schwartz
This ridge road blasts across the top of the ridge over the Yukon Saddle. It has long straight always with epic views, a dense forest section, an old burned-out section that's regrowing well, and a… Learn more about Middle Fork Schwartz
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su
East Twin Creek Road
Great back road accessible by almost any car and SUV Road ID# 2117. First, turn off to the left off of Gold Creek Rd is East Twin Creek Road. The road has some blind corners… Learn more about East Twin Creek Road
Total Miles
10.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Verdy Moccasin Ridge
This moderate shelf road leads from the valley below near Connor and heads up into the Sapphire Mountains. The beginning is a shelf road with a steep dropoff with tight turns, loose rocky switchbacks, and… Learn more about Verdy Moccasin Ridge
Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
West Fork Schwartz Creek
This is not the super smooth, easy way into the Sapphire Mountain Range. This trail is rocky, with a few tight corners and a steep climb. There are a few spots with a nice view,… Learn more about West Fork Schwartz Creek
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Sluice Creek
This is a rocky twisty ridge road. It's open seasonally with a gate near the first bottom switchback. The trail has fantastic views of the Bitterroot Valley and Sapphire range. The trail is loose and… Learn more about Sluice Creek
Total Miles
10
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Schwartz Creek
This dirt road into the Saphire Mountains is THE smoothest and most effortless way up the mountain range. The grade isn't steep. The potholes are few. The only drawback is that there are few pullouts… Learn more about Schwartz Creek
Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
8 Mile
This narrow, easy climb heads from the Bitterroot valley into the sapphire mountains. It begins in a residential area and then hits loose, steep switchbacks to begin the ascent. The trail gets relatively narrow in… Learn more about 8 Mile
Total Miles
13.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Mormon Peak
The Mormon Peak Trail is an out and back at Lolo National Forest, Montana. The ride is very smooth until a bumpy section at the top. There are pull-outs along the trail to camp, but… Learn more about Mormon Peak
Total Miles
9.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
McClain Creek Road (FS 1311)
McClain Creek Road is also known as Forest Service Road 1311 and goes from the Bitterroot Valley to Carlton Lake but is gated at the 5-mile mark. The road passes through the former McClay Ranch… Learn more about McClain Creek Road (FS 1311)
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
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. Learn more about Southside Road
Total Miles
21
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
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. Learn more about Jocko Road
Total Miles
30
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Mill Creek
Total Miles
10.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Sweeney Creek Trail
4x4 high clearance switchback dirt road. This trail begins through a gravel residential neighborhood, signs ask to drive slow and keep the dust down. There are a few narrow one-lane sections that run up the… Learn more about Sweeney Creek Trail
Total Miles
6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Ambrose Trail
A wide well-grated dirt trail that begins at the base of the Sapphire Mountain range and gains elevation up into the mountains. It is a great trail to access other trails including the Sawmill Ridge… Learn more about Ambrose Trail
Total Miles
7.4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Upper Skyline to Cinnabar Saddle
This easy ridge road has impressive views of the Bitterroot Valley as it twists its way in and out of the trees. Previous tree clearing makes for a nice open ride. There are a few… Learn more about Upper Skyline to Cinnabar Saddle
Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Skyline
This scenic, narrow trail twists its way through the trees. There are a few pullouts here and there to pass oncoming traffic and lots of evidence of tree cutting. Be prepared to clear trees if… Learn more about Skyline
Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
South Ambrose
This fun little out and back deviates from the main trail into the hills. There are lots of twists and turns, dips and dives. It's generally narrow with a few mild rutted sections. Once you… Learn more about South Ambrose
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Elk Meadows - Packers Meadows
This is an enjoyable route that can be completed in 1-2 hours. The route consists of Forest Service roads that will take you through parts of Lolo and Clearwater National forests and is usually free… Learn more about Elk Meadows - Packers Meadows
Total Miles
30.8
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su
Bass Overlook Trail
Fun switchback dirt trail that ends at a small parking area with a nice overlook. This is where the Bass Overlook Hiking trail #392 starts and is part of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Bass Overlook Trailhead… Learn more about Bass Overlook Trail
Total Miles
8
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Middle Ambrose
This trail spurs off from the South Ambrose Trail. It starts out easy with some fun turns and a few dispersed camping spots. As one continues, one will encounter some deeper puddles and washouts. About… Learn more about Middle Ambrose
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Su
Clairmont
This out and back starts with decent-sized potholes and dense trees and then opens up to amazing cliffsides with epic views. There are hardly any places to pass oncoming, and no camping spots were noticed… Learn more about Clairmont
Total Miles
5.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Sawmill Ridge Run
This dirt trail connects up Sawmill Saddle and Ambrose, running across the top of some of the mountains in the Sapphire range. It is a fun twisty trail with lots of tall trees. It opens… Learn more about Sawmill Ridge Run
Total Miles
12.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
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… Learn more about Albert Lothrop Rd 5563
Total Miles
13
Tech Rating
3
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… Learn more about Edith Peak 476-1
Total Miles
12.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Rock Creek
This dirt road follows Rock Creek and connects I-90 near Clinton, MT, to Highway 1, leading to Philipsburg. This area is busy with anglers and rafters in the Spring, Summer, and Fall but experiences less… Learn more about Rock Creek