Forest Road 297 – Rock Creek to Red Lodge

Forest Road 297 cuts a demanding path through Montana’s Beartooth Range, offering one of the state’s most rewarding high-country adventures. This route links the Rock Creek drainage with Red Lodge through a maze of mining roads that date back to the early 1900s, when prospectors hauled ore down from the Stillwater Complex. You’ll navigate tight switchbacks, loose shale sections, and creek crossings while climbing to over 9,200 feet elevation near Silver Run Plateau.

This is legitimate expert terrain requiring full-size 4WD with aggressive tires, recovery gear, and mechanical confidence. Late June through September offers the best window, but snow can linger on north-facing slopes well into July. Bring extra fuel, tire repair kit, and camping gear since civilization is hours away if something goes sideways. The payoff is unmatched solitude in some of Montana’s most pristine alpine country, with world-class fishing and dispersed camping throughout the drainage.