Lonesome Highway — Garnet Range Divide to Missoula via the Blackfoot River Benchlands
Montana's most intact ghost town on a ridge road.
The road to Garnet Ghost Town climbs out of the Blackfoot River Valley east of Missoula and doesn’t let up until it spills across the Garnet Range divide at nearly 6,000 feet. Bear Gulch Road is the main artery, but the through route via the Ghost Town and on to Elk Creek Road is what separates the overlanders from the day-trippers. Garnet itself — once home to nearly 1,000 souls chasing gold — is maintained by the BLM and is the most complete ghost town in Montana. Cabins, a hotel shell, a hoisting works, and miles of tailings line the draw. Past the townsite, the road roughens into two-track shelf road with rocky ledges and tight switchbacks before dropping back toward the Blackfoot drainage.
High clearance is mandatory; 4WD is required on the upper sections, especially the Bear Gulch climb and the shelf road north of the townsite. The route is typically open late May through October, with snow closing the upper divide well into spring and returning in October. No permits needed. Fuel in Drummond or Missoula — nothing in between. Cell service is gone once you leave the Blackfoot corridor. Dispersed camping is available on BLM land surrounding the townsite. What you get is Montana history served raw, with ridge views stretching to the Rattlesnake Wilderness and the Sapphires.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6012 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Drummond, MT |
| Land manager | BLM Missoula Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Garnet Ghost Town page |
| 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 stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the minimum and will make it through without issues under normal conditions. A lift helps on the rockier sections near the Garnet Range divide but isn't required. Lowered crossovers and 2WD rigs should stay home.
When does the road to Garnet typically open in spring, and is it accessible in fall?
The route generally opens in June once snow melts off the divide — early season can leave the upper sections muddy and rutted. Fall through October is usually solid, but early snow can close the high road fast; check with the BLM Missoula Field Office before a late-season run.
Is there an entry fee or permit required to visit Garnet Ghost Town?
There's a $3 per person day-use fee at Garnet Ghost Town, collected on-site. No permit is required for the road itself or for dispersed camping on BLM land along the route. The ghost town buildings are managed by BLM — stay on designated paths inside the ruins.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect there?
The roughest stretch is the Garnet Range divide itself — loose rock, embedded ledges, and some shelf road with limited pullouts. Nothing technically extreme, but it demands attention and a confident driver; it's not a place to be distracted or moving fast. The descent toward the Blackfoot benchlands is more forgiving once you clear the ridge.
Is there any water along the route, and how far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead?
There's no reliable potable water on the route — carry everything you need. Drummond, MT is the closest town with fuel, sitting about 10 miles from the eastern trailhead on I-90; top off there before you head up. Cell service is completely dead for the full 34 miles, so download your maps offline before you leave pavement.
Trail track
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