Clearwater National Forest — FR 500 Lolo Motorway Upper Ridgeline Dispersed Camp

Forest Road 500 is the Lolo Motorway itself — a narrow, rough ridgeline track crossing the Bitterroot crest that Lewis and Clark described as the most brutal stretch of the entire expedition. Up here at elevation, the trees thin and the views open across ridge after forested ridge into Montana. Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere you can find a flat pull-out that doesn’t require you to cut vegetation. A few established spots exist near saddles where previous rigs have leveled out. No water up top — bring everything you need.

FR 500 is typically accessible from late June through early October depending on snowpack. The road is narrow, rocky, and unforgiving — high-clearance 4WD required, no question. Long sections have zero turnaround room. Run it early in the week to avoid the traffic-jam situation that can develop on summer weekends. No cell signal anywhere on the ridgeline. Campfire restrictions tend to hit this zone early — check with Clearwater NF Lochsa Ranger District before heading up.

Sleep on Lewis and Clark's ridgeline route.