Lonesome Highway — Breaks of the Missouri Backcountry via Blaine County
Bentonite badlands and zero services for 80 miles.
The Missouri Breaks are the kind of country that broke wagon trains and still has no interest in making things easy for you. The backcountry road network through Blaine County’s upper Breaks threads between the eroded clay coulees and badland formations above the wild and scenic Missouri River, connecting remote BLM two-tracks between the Fred Robinson Bridge on US-191 and the James Kipp Recreation Area. The road surface is bentonite clay — the same stuff that makes gumbo mud famous — so a single rainstorm turns this into a vehicle trap. Dry, it’s a stunning high-desert run past mule deer, golden eagles, bighorn sheep, and the same broken skyline that Lewis and Clark noted in their journals in 1805.
Moderate difficulty in dry conditions, but the bentonite clay is a wildcard that upgrades this to expert-level when wet — no exceptions. A high-clearance 4WD with all-terrain tires is the minimum; recovery gear is mandatory. Late spring through early summer and again in September are the sweet spots — July and August can be brutally hot with afternoon thunderstorms that close roads instantly. No fuel, no water, no services between US-191 and Winifred. Dispersed camping is free and legal throughout BLM land. Bring your own water and a sat phone.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 80 mi / 128.7 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | May-June, September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Winifred, Montana |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Lewistown Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma, 4Runner, or Wrangler is sufficient. The route is moderate dirt and gravel — no extreme obstacles — but the clay-bentonite surface turns to greasy, impassable slop when wet, so clearance matters less than timing your run around rain.
When is this trail actually drivable — and what kills a trip out here?
May–June and September are the windows. Bentonite clay is the enemy: a single rainstorm can make the road undrivable and strand you for days. Check the forecast hard before you leave Winifred and avoid this route if there's any meaningful rain in the outlook.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp out here?
No permit required to drive the route. Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land throughout the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument — no fee, no reservation. Follow Leave No Trace and stay on existing two-tracks.
What's the hardest part of this route and what should I actually be ready for?
There's no single gnarly obstacle — the challenge is sustained remoteness and the road surface itself. Eighty miles of bentonite dirt with zero services means a mechanical issue or a rain event becomes a real problem fast. Come self-sufficient: recovery gear, a full-size spare, and enough fuel and water to sit tight if conditions turn.
How much water and fuel do I need to carry, and is there any resupply on the route?
There is zero resupply on the route — no gas, no water, nothing for 80 miles. Top off fuel in Winifred before you go and carry enough for at least 100 miles plus a buffer. Bring all your water; there are no reliable potable sources along the trail.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.