Lolo Motorway — Nez Perce Trail from Lowell to Powell via FR 500 Full Traverse
Lewis and Clark's ridgeline. Still brutal.
Forest Road 500 traces the exact ridge the Nez Perce used for centuries and that Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery nearly died crossing in September 1805. Running roughly 100 miles along the spine of the Bitterroot Mountains from Lowell to Powell, the Lolo Motorway is not a forest road you stumble onto — it’s a deliberate choice that demands respect before the first mile. The surface is narrow, off-camber, and littered with exposed roots, soft shoulders, and drop-offs that leave no margin for distraction. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness falls away on both sides. There are no guard rails. The views into Idaho and Montana wilderness are genuinely staggering, which is dangerous because you need to keep your eyes on the road.
Stock rigs do not belong here. You need a short-wheelbase or well-articulated 4WD with high clearance, a winch, and a driver who knows how to use both. Typically accessible late July through September depending on snowpack — call the Clearwater-Nez Perce National Forest before you go because the gates are locked until the road is clear. No fuel anywhere on the route. Pack enough food and water for several days. Cell service is zero. Mechanically prepared, mentally sharp, and properly provisioned — that’s the ask. What you get back is raw American history and wilderness that hasn’t changed since the Corps stumbled through it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 100 mi / 161 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6836 ft |
| Best season | Late July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Winch-equipped short-wheelbase 4WD, high clearance |
| Nearest town | Kooskia, Idaho |
| Land manager | Clearwater-Nez Perce National Forests |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Lolo Motorway Recreation Area Clearwater NF Ranger Districts |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a long-wheelbase truck like a full-size crew cab handle the Lolo Motorway?
Not recommended. The tight switchbacks, off-camber shelf sections, and narrow ridgeline road on FR 500 favor short-wheelbase rigs. Full-size crew cabs and long-bed trucks have a hard time making certain turns without multi-point maneuvering on exposed edges. A short-wheelbase 4WD with a winch is the stated minimum for good reason.
When does the Lolo Motorway actually open each year?
Typically late July, though snowpack at elevation can push that into August in heavy snow years. The USFS Lolo Motorway page and Clearwater NF ranger districts post current road conditions — check before you go, not the night before.
Do you need a permit or pay any fees to drive FR 500?
No permit required and no day-use fee as of current USFS policy. A Northwest Forest Pass is not required for vehicle travel on FR 500 itself. Standard dispersed camping rules apply — follow Leave No Trace and don't camp within 200 feet of water sources.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what actually makes it dangerous?
The exposed ridgeline segments between Papoose Saddle and Indian Grave Meadows are where rigs get in serious trouble — narrow shelf road, crumbling edges, no guardrails, and off-camber angles that will roll an unprepared vehicle. Add wet conditions or afternoon thunderstorms and the clay surface turns greasy fast. This is not a trail to push through tired or in marginal weather.
How far is the fuel gap between Lowell and Powell, and is there anywhere to resupply on the route?
It's roughly 100 miles of remote ridgeline with zero services between Lowell and Powell — no fuel, no stores, nothing. Powell has a small lodge and limited supplies. Top off in Kooskia or Lowell before you start, carry a fuel can, and know your rig's range under load in low range.
Trail track
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