Lonesome Highway — Big Belt Mountains Divide to Canyon Ferry via Magpie Gulch
Big Belts divide. Nobody else up here.
The Big Belt Mountains don’t get the ink that the Beartooths or Absarokas pull, and that’s exactly why this route matters. Starting off Forest Road 4009 above White Sulphur Springs, you climb the divide past Magpie Gulch — a boulder-choked drainage that’ll test your front axle early — then ride the crest through open parks with jaw-dropping views east into the Crazy Mountains and west toward Helena. The descent toward Canyon Ferry Reservoir threads through ponderosa benches and switchbacks that loose gravel loves to make treacherous. Keep your speed honest.
This is a solid high-clearance run on a good day — moderate — but an early-season snow or a recent thunderstorm turns it into a different animal entirely, with clay sections that’ll stop even a locked rig. A stock 4WD with proper clearance gets it done in dry conditions; lockers appreciated on the Magpie descent. Run it July through September. No permit required. Fuel and water in White Sulphur Springs before you leave pavement — there’s nothing between the divide and Canyon Ferry. Dispersed camping throughout the national forest land is wide open and the stargazing off the crest is genuinely stupid-good.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7900 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | White Sulphur Springs, MT |
| Land manager | Lewis and Clark National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this without a lift?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance rig handles this trail fine. You don't need a lift, lockers, or a skid plate setup, but low-range capability matters on the steeper pitches descending toward Canyon Ferry.
When does this trail actually open in spring, and is it passable into October?
July through September is the reliable window. The Big Belt ridgeline holds snow late and gets muddy fast in spring — attempting it before July is a gamble that usually loses. By mid-October you're rolling the dice on early snowfall at 7,900 feet.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this route?
No permit required. The route runs through Lewis and Clark National Forest, so dispersed camping is free and legal — standard 14-day stay limit applies, pack out everything you pack in.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually be ready for?
The descent through Magpie Gulch is the business end — loose surface, tight switchbacks, and enough exposure to pucker up if you're not paying attention. Nothing technically extreme, but if your brakes are soft or your tires are worn, that's where it'll show.
There's zero cell service out here — how far is the nearest gas before I drop into Canyon Ferry?
Top off in White Sulphur Springs before you start — it's your last guaranteed fuel stop. Canyon Ferry area has limited services, but don't count on them; treat White Sulphur as your baseline for fuel, water, and any last-minute supplies.
Trail track
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