Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Lakeview, Montana

Red Rock Lakes

Easy, yet extremely remote route through the historic Centennial Valley. Highlights include the Red Rock Lakes Wildlife Refuge with a chance to view many important waterfowl species, including the trumpeter swan, which was once near…
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Total Miles
53.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

East Fork Dry Creek

This is a fun short ride up a beautiful mountain trail with some fantastic views. Depending upon the time of year, there will be flowers and deep green grasses. Later in the year, the Quaking…
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Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

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

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

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

Keg Springs (Forest Service 046)

This short ride provides some beautiful views of the Teton Mountains, lakes, and local meadows. Depending upon the time of year, there will be flowers and deep green grasses. Later in the year, the Quaking…
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Total Miles
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

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

Jackpine Gulch (FS 1209)

This area shows the ravages of the fire that went through this region two years ago. It is sad to see the damage but, encouraging to see the logging operations that are going on to…
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Total Miles
16
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Lone Tree Pass-Deer Mountain Road

This section of trail is a fun exploration of some rocky terrain that climbs to almost 8,400 feet over a pass, giving you views of Elk Lake and the wildlife refuge area to the west.…
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Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Antelope Basin (FS 230)

If toured at the correct time of the year, this is an exceptionally beautiful area with tall grasses and fields of wildflowers. In addition, there are many unique and spectacular rock formations. One that struck…
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Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

East Bench (FS 8378)

If you are looking for a short trail with mind-blowing views at the end, this is it. We almost didn't take it but decided to see where it led. This trail puts you directly above…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

West Fork Madison (FS 209)

This trail follows the West Fork of the Madison River, which is a beautiful stream that highlights the beauty of the valley you will be following. This is an exceptionally beautiful area and we were…
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Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Jackknife - Cliff Lake Bench (FS 9640/41)

We were hoping to see Cliff or Wade Lake when we went down this trail, but we did not. But there were some great views as we moved along this bench. The grass was deep,…
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Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
1 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

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

Continental Divide Trail (FS 20056)

This trail is the portal to several wonderful adventures in this area. There are trailheads with parking areas for a limited number of vehicles with trailers on either end. Red Rock Road has more parking…
Learn more about Continental Divide Trail (FS 20056)
Total Miles
11.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Red Rock Pass Island Park

Red Rock Pass is a pleasant, very easy gravel road along Henry's Lake and the Centennial Mountains in Island Park. It offers great views throughout and good chances to see wildlife.
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Total Miles
11
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Beer Run

The trail starts near Saint Anthony Sand Dunes in open desert cattle land. The route, then takes you through forests by the Island Park Reservoir, and ends by following between the road and Henrys Fork.…
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Total Miles
50.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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

Eagle Nest River Access

This is a nice out-and-back dirt and gravel trail to the Eagle Nest day-use area with access to the Madison River. There is also a day-use river access spot at the beginning of the trail…
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Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Sawtell Peak

Sawtell Peak Road is a great destination for anyone that enjoys sweeping views. It takes you more than 9,800 feet to great 360-degree views of 3 different states. This makes a perfect unique stop to…
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Total Miles
9.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Year-round

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

Butterfly Loop

This is the dirt trail portion of Butterfly Loop. It could be run from the highway towards the river ending at the Buttermilk Campground, with river access and a boat launch. Or this trail can…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Coffee Pot

This is a wide dirt and gravel trail through very tall trees. The trail is grated and well maintained up to the Coffee Pot Campground. There is no day use or river access at the…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / 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

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

Flat Rock of Potholes

This is a wide dusty gravel trail through tall trees with no good views. There are two extensive dispersed campsites with camping areas on either end of the trail. About 20-30 trailer campers were packed…
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Box Canyon Trailhead

This dirt trail runs through private seasonal cabins, so it's slow going for dust control. The trail is well maintained until reaching the furthest out point where it turns off for a hiking trail and…
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Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Meadow Creek Road

This local road travels along the east side of the large, flat meadow just north of Robin's Roost on Hwy 20. There is a small lodge/restaurant that is a favorite hang-out for snowmobilers in the…
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Total Miles
7.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa