Continental Divide Trail – Red Rock Pass

Red Rock Pass cuts through the Centennial Mountains along the Montana-Idaho border, following wagon ruts carved by pioneers heading to Oregon Territory in the 1860s. This remote section of the Continental Divide Trail climbs through aspen groves and open meadows before hitting technical limestone shelves near the 7,056-foot summit, where you’ll cross from Montana’s Red Rock Creek drainage into Idaho’s Horse Prairie Valley. The route passes weathered grave markers and remnants of stage stations that served travelers on the Corinne-Helena Road.

Moderate difficulty with high-clearance 4WD required for rocky sections and seasonal creek crossings. Best tackled June through September when snowpack clears—early season can mean muddy approaches and impassable drifts at elevation. No permits needed, but fuel up in Lima or Monida before heading out. Dispersed camping available throughout, with incredible star-filled skies and zero cell service. This is genuine frontier country where you’ll encounter more elk than people and gain serious appreciation for what those early travelers endured.