Bannack Ghost Town to Lemhi Pass
Ghost town to Continental Divide on Lewis & Clark's trail
This 45-mile backcountry route connects two pieces of American frontier history — Bannack’s 1860s gold rush ghost town and Lemhi Pass, where Lewis and Clark first crossed the Continental Divide in 1805. You’ll climb from the Beaverhead Valley through rolling sagebrush hills and over Agency Creek Summit before dropping into the Lemhi Valley. The technical highlight comes at Lemhi Pass itself, where a rough 4×4 track climbs 2,200 feet in 8 miles to the 7,373-foot divide marker.
Moderate difficulty overall with one difficult section at the pass approach — stock 4WD with good tires handles it, but low-range helps on the steep grades. Best run May through October when snow clears the high country. No permits needed, decent dispersed camping along Agency Creek. Cell service is nonexistent once you leave Bannack. You’re driving through the exact country that shaped western expansion, with sweeping views of the Beaverhead Mountains and the satisfaction of standing where the Corps of Discovery stood.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 45 mi / 72.4 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7373 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Dillon, Montana |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without modifications?
Yes. A stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle is the minimum and will get you through in normal conditions. Soft-roader crossovers and 2WD rigs have no business out here — the dirt road climbs 2,800 feet and has sections that get loose and rutted.
When does the trail open in spring and is it accessible in fall?
Best window is May through October. Snow can linger near Lemhi Pass at 7,373 feet well into May, and early season mud can be a serious problem on the climb to the Continental Divide. October is usually fine but watch for early season snowstorms closing the upper sections fast.
Do you need a permit to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit required — this is BLM land with free dispersed camping throughout. Bannack Ghost Town itself is a Montana State Park, so there's a small day-use fee if you're stopping there, and the campground inside the park charges a nightly fee.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The climb toward Lemhi Pass is the crux — the road narrows, the surface gets loose, and there are off-camber sections with decent exposure. Nothing that'll require a locker in dry conditions, but wet or muddy, it gets sketchy fast. Ruts from previous traffic can be deep after a wet spring.
Is there any water available on route, and what's the closest gas before heading out?
There are water crossings on the route but no guaranteed potable sources — filter anything you pull from streams. Fill tanks and water containers in Dillon before you leave; it's the last real town with services and you'll have zero cell service and no bailout options for most of the 45 miles.
Trail track
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