If you’re searching for huge areas to explore, densely forested trails, rugged and rocky mountains, and remote places to ride, pack up your ATV or side-by-side and head to Montana.
Montana is the fourth-largest state in the US, but it’s home to just 1.1 million people. While plenty of adventurers make their way to Big Sky Country, the extensive trail systems and long-distance routes thin the crowds and provide a unique sense of true exploration. Can’t wait to start your Montana adventure? Before you start planning your trip, keep seasonal considerations in mind—snowpack, spring runoff, and shifting conditions at elevation can all impact trail access and ride safety. With those variables in mind, check out this guide from SuperATV for some of the top riding opportunities in the state!
Pipestone is one of the more well-known and popular ATV and UTV riding locations in Montana, featuring about 75 miles of well-marked riding trails within a larger 30,000-acre abandoned mining district. The trails are well-maintained and generally smooth, depending on the time of year, but there are rocky places you can ride. We recommend adding skid plates to protect your machine if you’re going to take these areas on, as well as a windshield and high-quality all-terrain tires for speeding through the forested portions of Pipestone.
Miles City is a great location to check out all kinds of trail types, especially if you’re taking beginning riders out for an adventure. This unique landscape includes badlands terrain, open prairie riding, rolling hills, mixed pine forests, incredible views, and the beauty of Custer National Forest.
If you’re going to spend all day out exploring all the trails Miles City has to offer, be sure that you have the storage you need for long days out on the trail, plus mirrors and light bars for extra safety.
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is full of beautiful alpine forests, mountain passes, rocky outcroppings, and open grasslands. There are hundreds of different trails throughout the forest, giving riders access to everything from easy, flat rides to remote mountainous climbs and densely forested trails. If you’re heading out to explore this area, you will want to have a high-quality GPS system to ensure you always know where you’re going, a roof for protection, and a winch for peace of mind during long-distance exploration.
If mountain riding isn’t for you, or you are looking for a ride that’s perfect for the whole family, check out Shepherd Ah-Nei. This trail system flows through sagebrush grasslands and is dotted with juniper forests, providing a unique, wide-open riding experience that is suitable for all experience levels. To be able to explore every mile of the area, be sure your machine has solid all-terrain tires, plenty of space for cargo, and some spare drive belts.
There are many UTV and ATV riding trails around the Big Sky area of Montana, ranging from short and easy beginner rides to more advanced and technical options. Since there are many types of terrain around Big Sky, you want your rig to be prepared for anything. We recommend high-clearance A-arms, protective skid plates, and aggressive tires—and for even more elevated performance, upgrade your clutch system.
Montana has plenty of mountain riding for ATV and UTV enthusiasts, including a collection of trail systems in the Little Belt Mountains that has a little bit of everything—rocky mountain climbs, forest trails, and mountain paths, all with steady elevation changes. This is a great destination for cooler summer riding, with both the shade and elevation helping keep things cool (but don’t forget to still bring the sunscreen).
For mountainous trails and variable weather that comes with them, extra protective accessories like a roof, windshield, and doors can help keep you safe. A winch is also useful to have on these trails, just in case you or your buddies get stuck.
Check out the historic Lewis and Clark National Forest for rugged backcountry riding full of scenic views and challenging terrain. These trails call for a decent level of skill and feature a variety of obstacles and technical stretches. We recommend plenty of protection before heading out, including sturdy skid plates, heavy-duty axles and A-arms, and a high-quality winch setup to help prevent you from getting stranded out on the trail.
Blue Mountain Recreation Area is part of the Lolo National Forest and offers plenty of opportunities for riding forest trails, mountain passes, dirt roads, and more. If you’re looking for some extended long-range riding, you can keep on going through the Lolo National Forest into Idaho and even as far west as Washington state. That being said, you’ll want to have a GPS system to stay on your route or for directions on extended trips. Plus, be sure you have the storage space for your gear and safety essentials, like extra drive belts and a winch, so you don’t get stuck or stranded on your adventure.
Montana has a little bit of everything for off-roading fans, including unique rocky desert terrain around the Pryor Mountains OHV area. There’s nothing wrong with rolling through forests and grasslands, but for anyone searching for an interesting challenge, this spot is a must-visit. Just make sure your rig is ready to handle the terrain with protective skid plates and aggressive all-terrain tires.
These trails are Yellowstone-adjacent, offering all the varied terrain and beauty that the region is famous for. With hundreds of miles of marked trail routes, there are rides for riders of all experience levels throughout the trail system. Since there are so many different terrain types to ride on these trails, we recommend ensuring your machine has the appropriate protection and your suspension is upgraded to handle every obstacle you may encounter.
When you’re heading out to hit the great trails of Montana with your ATV or UTV, it’s important that both you and your machine are ready for the challenge. Choosing durable and reliable part upgrades, as well as ensuring you have the appropriate recovery equipment and protection from the elements, are a must. If your rig is already decked out in the heavy-duty, tried-and-true gear you need, it’s time to plan your trip! But if you’re still looking for the parts and accessories that can handle everything Montana trails can throw at you, head to SuperATV. We have everything you need to make sure you’re ready for riding in Big Sky Country.
Questions? Have a favorite Montana trail that we didn’t mention? Drop a comment below, we’d love to hear from you!
1 Comment
Can anyone tell me out there in Montana if there are hotels , motels, cabins or rentals for fourteen people that can access around 500 miles of trail with UTV’s. We are trying to plan a trip in September of 27 coming from Illinois