Lonesome Highway — Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway South via Mono Creek and Antelope Creek Divide
Montana ghost towns and granite sky, no company needed.
Officially designated a National Forest Scenic Byway, the Pioneer Mountains road between Dillon and Wise River is two different trips depending on which direction you enter — and the southern gravel half is where it gets real. Start in Dillon, push north through the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and you’ll climb past Coolidge Ghost Town — a 1910s silver-mining settlement still standing in silver-gray timber — before cresting the divide above Mono Creek at nearly 7,000 feet. The road narrows through dense spruce-fir forest, and the granite flanks of the Pioneer Range overhead are serious mountains for serious country. The Antelope Creek drainage further north is quiet, lonely, and beautiful in a way Montana does better than anyone.
Most of the southern section is well-graded gravel, accessible to most high-clearance vehicles and even careful stock SUVs in dry conditions. Difficulty spikes after rain — clay sections get slick fast. Best season is late June through September; snowpack lingers at the high divide into early summer. Dispersed camping is plentiful on national forest land. No permit needed. Cell service drops out entirely past Coolidge. Fuel in Dillon or Wise River. This is a worthy overnight — don’t rush it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 43 mi / 69.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Dillon, MT |
| Land manager | Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this route without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance truck or SUV is fine for this trail in dry conditions. The gravel and dirt surfaces are manageable without a lift, but avoid it in a sedan or low-clearance crossover — you'll regret it on the rougher sections near the Antelope Creek Divide.
When does the route actually open in spring, and is it accessible in early October?
Most of the route is passable by mid-June once snowmelt settles the road surface. October is a gamble — early season snowstorms can shut down the high sections fast, and at 7,200 ft max elevation, conditions can turn ugly overnight with zero warning.
Do you need a permit or pay any fees to drive through?
No permit required and no fee to drive the route. It passes through Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, so standard forest rules apply — no campfire restrictions beyond what's currently posted by the forest service, and no entry fee.
What's the hardest section and what makes it difficult?
The Antelope Creek Divide area is where the trail gets serious — loose gravel, sustained grade, and limited room to maneuver if you meet oncoming traffic. It's not technical rock crawling, but a loaded rig on a greasy road after rain will keep you honest.
Is there anywhere to refuel or get water along the 43-mile route?
No fuel stops exist on the route itself — tank up in Dillon before you head out. Water crossings are present along Mono Creek, but treat everything before drinking. Cell service is nonexistent the entire way, so download offline maps and tell someone your plan before you go.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.