Mojave Road — Needles to Barstow via Fort Piute, Government Holes, and Afton Canyon (West-to-East Historic Full Crossing)
Montana high country that the crowds haven't found yet.
Most Montana overland traffic funnels through the Beartooths or the Bitterroot. The Lewis and Clark National Forest’s Little Belt Mountains — running between Judith Gap and the old mining town of Neihart on US-89 — gets almost none of it. The primary route follows Forest Road 839 and FR 487 over the Kings Hill Scenic Byway approaches and into the high country, crossing Paine Gulch, climbing past Yogo Peak (home of the famous Yogo sapphire deposit), and threading through open meadows at around 7,500 feet before descending toward Judith Gap on the eastern side. The route is part of the broader Lewis and Clark National Forest road network and links directly to the Montana BDR corridor.
The roads are high-clearance two-track and gravel — no 4WD required in dry conditions, but spring mud and afternoon summer thunderstorms can turn the clay sections slick fast. A capable AWD with good clearance handles it comfortably. Best run July through September. Dispersed camping is wide open across the national forest; no permits needed. Fuel in White Sulphur Springs or Great Falls before heading in — Neihart has nothing reliable. Cell service is essentially zero. The payoff is complete solitude, wildflower meadows, and elk country that hasn’t been discovered by the Instagram crowd yet.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 132 mi / 212 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7850 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance AWD or 4WD |
| Nearest town | White Sulphur Springs, MT |
| Land manager | Lewis and Clark National Forest — Judith Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Lewis and Clark National Forest USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail without a lift?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum you want here. Some rocky sections and creek crossings will test low-clearance rigs, but nothing requires serious suspension mods — just don't bring a Subaru Outback and call it good.
When does the trail typically open in spring and close in fall?
July through September is the reliable window. Snow can linger on the higher sections well into June, and early fall storms can close things fast. Check with the Judith Ranger District before a late September run — conditions can flip overnight at elevation.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit required for the trail itself. Dispersed camping is allowed under Lewis and Clark National Forest rules — stay 200 feet from water, roads, and trails, and limit stays to 16 days. No fees to drive or camp.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The roughest terrain comes on the rocky two-track climbs through the upper Little Belts where the trail gains most of its 4,200 feet. Expect loose rock, off-camber sidehills, and narrow shelf road segments — nothing gnarly by hardcore standards, but sustained enough to punish an unprepared rig or driver over 130 miles.
Is there any water available on the trail, or do I need to carry everything?
There are creek crossings and seasonal water sources along the route, but none are guaranteed clean or running depending on drought conditions. Carry a filter and enough water for a full day between resupply — White Sulphur Springs is your last reliable town before you're fully committed.
Trail track
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