Lolo Motorway — Lewis and Clark Trail from Lolo Pass to Weippe via FR 500
Lewis and Clark's ridge road — still wild.
Forest Road 500, known as the Lolo Motorway, follows the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail across the spine of the Bitterroot Mountains between Lolo Pass on the Idaho-Montana line and the prairie town of Weippe — where Lewis and Clark first encountered the Nez Perce people. The road clings to ridgelines above 6,000 feet for most of its length, passing through old-growth spruce and fir with jaw-dropping views into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Key waypoints include Powell Junction, Cayuse Junction, and the Howard Creek saddle. Snow cornices can persist well into July on the north-facing slopes, and deadfall is a constant threat in early season — this is not a road that forgives inattention.
High-clearance 4WD is required; a short-wheelbase rig handles the tight switchbacks and embedded rock sections far better than long-bed trucks. A chainsaw and recovery gear are not optional. No fuel exists between Lolo, MT and Kooskia, ID — plan accordingly. Cell service is zero for the full run. The road is typically open mid-July through September. No permit required for vehicle travel, though overnight camping near the corridor falls under Clearwater National Forest dispersed rules. The payoff is immense: two days of genuine solitude on a route walked by an expedition that changed a continent.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 103 mi / 165.8 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6900 ft |
| Best season | Mid-July–September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD, short wheelbase preferred |
| Nearest town | Kooskia, ID |
| Land manager | Clearwater National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Clearwater NF — Lolo Motorway NPS Nez Perce Historic Trail |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock full-size truck handle the Lolo Motorway, or is it too long in the wheelbase?
Short wheelbase is strongly preferred — the road has tight switchbacks and off-camber sections that punish long overhangs. A stock full-size is possible but expect scraping and awkward maneuvering; a mid-size or short-wheelbase 4WD with high clearance is the better call.
When does FR 500 actually open each year, and is snow a real concern?
The Motorway sits above 6,000 feet for much of its length and typically doesn't open until mid-July due to snowpack — some years it's late July. Don't assume it's clear before checking with Clearwater National Forest directly; early-season snow can close sections without warning.
Do you need a permit to drive the Lolo Motorway?
No permit is required to drive FR 500. It's managed by Clearwater National Forest as a standard forest road, so there's no fee or reservation system — just follow standard dispersed camping rules (14-day stay limit, pack out what you pack in).
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it serious?
The ridge sections between Powell Junction and Musselshell Meadows are the most unforgiving — narrow shelf road, loose rock, steep drop-offs, and almost no room to pass oncoming traffic. The road isn't maintained for speed; 10–15 mph is normal, and a mechanical breakdown up here means a very long wait for help.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there any cell service if something goes wrong?
Plan on zero cell service for the entire 103-mile route — this is one of the most remote drives in the lower 48. Fuel up in Lolo, MT before Lolo Pass and top off again in Kooskia or Weippe at the end; there's nothing in between, so carry extra fuel if your rig burns through it on low-gear crawling.
Trail track
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