Best Off-Roading Destinations in Montana

What does one of the lowest population densities in the country, stunning natural landscapes, and countless OHV trails add up to? The perfect off-roading location! If you’re looking for an ideal place to plan your next off-roading adventure, Montana should definitely be at the top of your list. To start plotting out which trails you want to tackle, take a look at this list of the best off-roading destinations in Montana.

Ringing Rocks Trail 

Ringing Rocks Trail is a 12.7 mile out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of 1,847 ft. As its name suggests, the trail is very rocky. Along the way, you will have to drive over large boulders as well as deep holes, so it’s a good idea to invest in a quality skid plate if you haven’t already. 

If you decide to take on this challenging trail, make sure to bring a hammer. Those boulders that you’ll be driving across give off a “bell-like-tone” when struck lightly with a hammer—a phenomenon that only occurs in the rocks located at this site. Despite offering such a unique and magical experience, the Ringing Rocks Trail remains moderately trafficked, which means you won’t have to worry about navigating around swarms of hikers and vehicles.

Elkhorn and Crow Peak Trail

Located near Boulder, Montana, the Elkhorn and Crow Peak Trail is a 7.9 mile out-and-back trail with stunning mountain and forest landscape views. This lightly-trafficked trail has an elevation gain of 2,844 ft and is rated as difficult. It is primarily used for hiking and off-road driving between the months of May and October. When you’re in a well-equipped Jeep, driving this trail generally makes for a shorter off-roading adventure.

Antelope Basin, Island Park

Another one of the best off-roading destinations in Montana is Antelope Basin. If you’re looking for an easy, beginner-level trail with stunning mountain views, wildlife, and forests, this is the trail for you. Located in the largest national forest in Montana—Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, which spans 3.35 million acres—this trail features breathtaking scenery of mountains, valleys, and lakes that off-roaders can experience as they gently climb over the mountains. To avoid traffic, we suggest traversing this trail in the fall.

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