Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Thompson Falls, Montana
Clear Creek
This 5-mile portion of Clear Creek Trail takes you from Prospect Creek Road near Thompson Falls, MT, into the high country of the Lolo National Forest. If you follow Clear Creek beyond where our track… Learn more about Clear Creek
Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Flatiron Ridge
This 12-mile RT trail zigzags up Flatiron Ridge in the Lolo National Forest to an elevation of 4362 feet. There is room to let another vehicle pass on some of the corners. All private property… Learn more about Flatiron Ridge
Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Graves Creek Falls/Vermilion
This 12-mile RT trail goes into the Lolo National Forest, rising from the valley floor at 2400 feet to over 4300 feet. A fire in the high country cut our trip short, so if there's… Learn more about Graves Creek Falls/Vermilion
Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Denver Ridge
This 10-mile RT track goes from Clear Creek Trail up to just over 4000 feet in the Lolo National Forest. There is room to let another vehicle pass on some of the corners. All private… Learn more about Denver Ridge
Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Cougar Peak
This trail zigzags from the valley floor at 2607 feet to over 6100 feet in the Lolo National Forest towards Cougar Peak. A fire in the area the day we rode stopped us from getting… Learn more about Cougar Peak
Total Miles
15.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Boyd Mountain
This is an easy, short singletrack trail. It's a flowy trail that climbs to the top of the ridge. The trail is cleared, but may have blowdown, and there are a few moderately steep switchbacks.… Learn more about Boyd Mountain
Total Miles
4.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Olson Peak Singletrack
This is a singletrack, two-way trail that is slightly overgrown. It is fairly easy, but there are a few log hops and side hills, and there may be blown down trees blocking your way. The… Learn more about Olson Peak Singletrack
Total Miles
9.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Shefoot
Just outside of Wallace Idaho, this is a wonderfully colorful route during the fall. Reds, oranges, and greens dominate the landscape. When one reaches the top, there is the most amazing panoramic view of the… Learn more about Shefoot
Total Miles
6.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su
River Trail
This is a fun, well-maintained singletrack that follows the Clark Fork River. There are some technical rock/root features, very small water crossings and a few switchbacks. The trail is shared, trail so you may encounter… Learn more about River Trail
Total Miles
8.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Moon Pass
This route takes you along the North Fork of the St. Joe River via the old Milwaukee Road Rail Grade. You'll pass through several old train tunnels and over a couple of old train trestles… Learn more about Moon Pass
Total Miles
19.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Stevens Creek Road
This well-groomed trail generally follows the powerlines from the dam all the way to the Marten Creek campground. As it twists its way around, you will get amazing views of the lake and hillsides. Some… Learn more about Stevens Creek Road
Total Miles
8.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Stevens Ridge
This well-graded ridge run is a perfect ride up or down from the mountain above to the primary graded trails below. There are ample pull-offs, a few tight switchbacks, and hardly any potholes to impede… Learn more about Stevens Ridge
Total Miles
9.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Lower Marten Creek
This nicely graded trail begins at the inlet of Martin Creek Bay and runs alongside the creek as it works its way into the forest. There is plenty of dispersed camping sites along the way.… Learn more about Lower Marten Creek
Total Miles
6.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Red Ives Creek
This is a Forest Service Road that runs all the way from Red Ives Ranger Station to Heller Creek Campground. This road connects to others that can take you all the way to Superior, Montana,… Learn more about Red Ives Creek
Total Miles
11.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Slate Creek
This is amazing trail. You get to drive through thick beautiful forest. Following a stunning clear water creek with couple camping spot by it. Big Mountain surrounding the whole area. You start with climbing mountain… Learn more about Slate Creek
Total Miles
19
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp
Huckleberry Mountain
This fun trail ducks and dives, bobs, and weaves its way around the hillsides. There are a few rutted areas. Some narrow sections with tall grass and a few loose hill climbs. Overall it's pretty… Learn more about Huckleberry Mountain
Total Miles
10.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Thompson Peak Lookout Tower
The route is mostly a two-lane gravel road with some loose rock in place. The route is a very scenic climb from an elevation of 2900'-4100'. The route ends at a locked gate, which is… Learn more about Thompson Peak Lookout Tower
Total Miles
4.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Johnson Creek to Superior
This route can only be taken from the months 05/16 - 10/14. The route is mostly gravel with some loose rock. The route climbs from 2800' to an elevation of 5000'. The first few miles… Learn more about Johnson Creek to Superior
Total Miles
17.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
North Branch of Martin Creek
This easy climb gradually heads into the hills. It's pretty wooded, and the forest is dense in some spots. There's a slight break in the trees here and there to get a glimpse of a… Learn more about North Branch of Martin Creek
Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
West Fork Pilgrim Creek
This generally easy trail heads back up to the ridges and deeper into the forest. It's mostly easy with a few larger potholes, and tight switchback turns. The only camping noticed was alongside the road… Learn more about West Fork Pilgrim Creek
Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Gem Peak
This narrow, steep run to the top is rutted and rocky with a few loose climbs. There are excellent views, and if you're lucky, the lookout rental cabin road will be open for you to… Learn more about Gem Peak
Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Lost Lake
The trail to Lost Lake takes you deep into the mountains to the south of Osburn, Idaho, on a gorgeous 1600ft climb with many breathtaking views of the Silver Valley. The trail starts directly out… Learn more about Lost Lake
Total Miles
8.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su
Lone Cliff Cutover
This easy ridge trail cuts across the top of the hills with amazing views of the Clark Fork valley and the Cabinet mountains. There is also access to the Skeleton Creek hiking trail from both… Learn more about Lone Cliff Cutover
Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Swede Mountain Runabout
This trail provides a wonderful showcase of the Kootenai National Forest's beauty. Once leaving the pavement, a maintained gravel road takes one up and over Swede mountain and down to the Fischer River. The road… Learn more about Swede Mountain Runabout
Total Miles
13.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Freezeout
This trail takes you across a beautiful section of Forest Service Road 301 AKA Fishhook-Gold Center Road through the beautiful rocky peaks and high alpine meadows of Freezeout. This is a long, fairly primitive, and… Learn more about Freezeout
Total Miles
22.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Daveggio Creek
This trail takes you from Marble Creek up into the mountains and through some beautiful landscapes including a large burn zone. You'll reach some higher elevation and have multiple great viewpoints along the way. There… Learn more about Daveggio Creek
If you love riding on pinecones and through tall grass, then you're in luck. This trail gets you further into the mountains and even more remote. If you want peace and quiet, then this is… Learn more about Pinecones and Tall Grass
Total Miles
3.2
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… Learn more about Nemote Creek to Stark Lookout
Total Miles
13.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su
Rock Creek Tarkio
Up up and away. This out and back is a slog to the top. It starts off well traveled and ends as a narrow two-track in deep grass with large boulders hiding in it. The… Learn more about Rock Creek Tarkio