Sawmill Road to Elkhorn Hot Springs — Beaverhead Mountains Desert Spine via Polaris
Earn your soak in the Beaverheads.
Southwest Montana doesn’t get the overland traffic it deserves, and the Beaverhead Mountains are the best-kept secret of that whole corner of the state. This route leaves the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway near Polaris and climbs a two-track mining road through open grassland and aspen draws before crossing a high saddle on the Beaverhead divide. The views west into Idaho are enormous — sagebrush basin floor backed by peaks that still hold snow into July. The descent into the Wise River drainage is loose and steep, with embedded rock ledges that will ground out anything without a proper skid plate. Elkhorn Hot Springs at the end of it is the payoff — a no-frills soaking pool that’s been there since the 1930s, run by folks who understand what it means to earn a soak.
Moderate difficulty overall, but the high saddle section demands real ground clearance and low-range capability — this isn’t a route for crossover SUVs. High-lift jack and tow strap are standard kit here. Best window is mid-June through September; the upper elevation sees snow early in fall. Nearest fuel is Dillon or Wisdom — both a solid haul from the trailhead, so top off before you leave the pavement. No permits required. Cell service is effectively zero across the entire route. Dispersed camping is available on Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest land throughout.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 29 mi / 46.7 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8850 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Wisdom, 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 | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance rig handles this route fine under normal conditions. Lifted rigs have more margin on the rockier sections, but a bone-stock 4Runner isn't going to get stuck here in summer.
When does this route typically open and close for the season?
June through September is the reliable window. Snow lingers at elevation into late May and can return in October — at 8,850 ft max elevation, early or late season attempts can mean soft, impassable mud or surprise snowpack.
Do you need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the route through Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Dispersed camping is free on national forest land; if you're ending at Elkhorn Hot Springs, they charge a separate day-use or overnight fee for the soak and facilities.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The roughest terrain comes mid-route as you climb toward the desert spine — loose rock, off-camber shelf road sections, and some eroded stretches that demand attention. Nothing technically extreme, but it's sustained enough that you won't be cruising on autopilot.
How far is the nearest gas and should I top off before leaving Wisdom?
Top off in Wisdom before you go — there's no fuel on the route and Wisdom itself is a small town with limited hours. The full 29-mile run plus approach driving means you want a full tank; don't count on anything between the trailhead and Elkhorn.
Trail track
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