Montana road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Montana, Glacier to the Beartooth
The best motorcycle roads in Montana run from Glacier National Park to the gates of Yellowstone: Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass, the Beartooth Highway out of Red Lodge, Paradise Valley along the Yellowstone River, and quieter classics like Kings Hill, the Seeley-Swan and Lolo Pass. Here are 14, grouped by region, with why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 14
- Regions
- 3
- Main season
- June to September
- Check before you go
- MDT 511 and park sites
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Montana
Montana's great roads are spread across a huge state, so most riders build trips, not day rides. Western Montana has the mountains, lakes and Glacier. South-central Montana has the Yellowstone country and the Beartooth. The east is long prairie miles. The Montana state guide has the overview. This page goes road by road.
The season is short and the hazards are real: snow on the passes into June, wildlife on every road, wildfire smoke in late summer and a busy road-construction season. Check the Montana Department of Transportation road report, or dial 511, plus the park sites before you go. See the best time to ride in Montana for opening patterns.
Glacier and the northwest
Glacier, Flathead and the northwest
- 1. Going-to-the-Sun Road (Glacier National Park)Why: About 50 miles from West Glacier along Lake McDonald, up a road cut into cliffs over Logan Pass, and down to St. Mary on the east side. Waterfalls spill onto the road and the views barely seem real. Watch for: Heavy traffic, stopped cars, cyclists, mountain goats and bighorn sheep, and cold at the pass. It usually opens fully in late June or July after plowing, and Glacier has used vehicle reservations in recent summers. Best season: July to mid-September.
- 2. Flathead Lake loop (MT 35 and US 93)Why: Around Flathead Lake, one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the West. MT 35 on the east shore is tight and scenic through cherry orchards from Polson to Bigfork, and US 93 on the west shore is wider, with views across the water to the Mission Mountains. Watch for: Cars pulling in and out of fruit stands and driveways, summer lake traffic and deer. Best season: June to September, with cherry season in mid to late summer.
- 3. Seeley-Swan Highway (MT 83)Why: From Clearwater Junction north past a chain of lakes between the Mission and Swan ranges to Bigfork. Gentle curves through deep forest with almost no towns. Watch for: Deer and elk, bears near the road, slow RVs on summer weekends and logging trucks. Best season: June to September.
- 4. Lake Koocanusa (MT 37)Why: From Libby past Libby Dam and up the east shore of Lake Koocanusa, the long reservoir behind the dam, to Eureka near the Canadian border. Curvy, quiet and far from the crowds at Glacier. Watch for: Wildlife, rockfall along the lake and few services. Best season: June to September.
- 5. Marias Pass and the Hi-Line (US 2)Why: US 2 crosses the Continental Divide at Marias Pass along Glacier's southern edge, between West Glacier and East Glacier. East of the mountains, the Hi-Line runs across the northern prairie for hundreds of miles. Watch for: Freight trains alongside, strong gusts near East Glacier and Browning, and long gaps between fuel on the plains. Best season: June to September.
Western Montana
Missoula, the Bitterroot and southwest Montana
Skalkaho Pass on MT 38, between Hamilton and Philipsburg, looks tempting on the map, but it has a long gravel section and is closed in winter. Save it for an adventure bike.
- 6. Lolo Pass (US 12)Why: From Lolo past Lolo Hot Springs and over Lolo Pass on the Idaho line, then down the Lochsa River in Idaho, famous for its long run of curves and a road sign promising winding road for the next 99 miles. Watch for: Few services on the Idaho side, cold mornings, logging trucks and deer. Best season: June to September.
- 7. Bitterroot Valley and the Big Hole (US 93 and MT 43)Why: From Missoula south through Hamilton and Darby to Lost Trail Pass, then east on MT 43 over Chief Joseph Pass into the wide Big Hole Valley, past the Big Hole National Battlefield to Wisdom. Mountains the whole way. Watch for: Heavy traffic near Missoula, deer in the south valley, cold in the Big Hole, one of the coldest valleys in the state. Best season: June to September.
- 8. Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Highway (MT 1)Why: From Anaconda past Georgetown Lake to the restored mining town of Philipsburg, then down to Drummond. A short, scenic loop piece with a great town stop. Watch for: Cold air at the lake, deer at dusk and slow traffic in Philipsburg. Best season: June to September.
- 9. Blackfoot Valley and Rogers Pass (MT 200)Why: From Bonner east along the Blackfoot River, past Ovando and through Lincoln, then over Rogers Pass on the Continental Divide and down toward the plains near Great Falls. Rogers Pass holds the record for the coldest temperature measured in the lower 48. Watch for: Wind east of the pass, deer, and ice in spring and fall. Best season: June to September.
South-central Montana
Yellowstone country and the Beartooth
Pair the Beartooth with Wyoming's Chief Joseph Scenic Byway for one of the best loops in the West. Out east, US 212 from the Little Bighorn Battlefield through Broadus toward the Black Hills is the long, empty way to Sturgis.
- 10. Beartooth Highway (US 212)Why: About 68 miles from Red Lodge up a wall of switchbacks onto the Beartooth Plateau, over Beartooth Pass at nearly 11,000 feet in Wyoming, past alpine lakes and snowbanks to Cooke City and Yellowstone's northeast entrance. One of the great motorcycle roads in America. Watch for: Cold and wind at the top, snow any month, heavy summer traffic and stopped cars. It typically opens in late May and closes in mid-October, weather permitting. Best season: July to September.
- 11. Paradise Valley (US 89) and East River RoadWhy: From Livingston south along the Yellowstone River to Gardiner and the park's north entrance, with the Absaroka Range towering to the east. Ride US 89 one way and the quieter East River Road on the other side of the river back. Watch for: Gusty wind around Livingston, elk and other wildlife near Gardiner, and summer traffic. Best season: June to September.
- 12. Gallatin Canyon (US 191)Why: From Bozeman south along the Gallatin River past Big Sky and through a corner of Yellowstone to West Yellowstone. River canyon curves with the water right beside the road. Watch for: Heavy traffic, trucks, tight sections with little shoulder, wildlife including bison in the park stretch, and enforcement. Best season: June to September, early in the day.
- 13. Madison Valley and Quake Lake (US 287)Why: From Ennis along the Madison River to Earthquake Lake, formed when a 1959 earthquake brought down a mountainside, then past Hebgen Lake to West Yellowstone. Wide valley views, then forest and water. Watch for: Anglers' trailers, deer, and wind in the open valley. Best season: June to September.
- 14. Kings Hill Scenic Byway (US 89)Why: From White Sulphur Springs over Kings Hill Pass in the Little Belt Mountains, through the old mining town of Neihart and down Belt Creek Canyon toward Great Falls. Forest, curves and little traffic. Watch for: Deer, logging trucks and cold at the pass. Best season: June to September.
Summary
Montana motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Going-to-the-Sun Road | Glacier | Jul to mid-Sep |
| Flathead Lake loop | Northwest | Jun to Sep |
| Seeley-Swan Highway | Northwest | Jun to Sep |
| Lake Koocanusa (MT 37) | Northwest | Jun to Sep |
| Marias Pass and the Hi-Line | North | Jun to Sep |
| Lolo Pass | Western | Jun to Sep |
| Bitterroot and Big Hole | Southwest | Jun to Sep |
| Pintler Scenic Highway | Southwest | Jun to Sep |
| Blackfoot and Rogers Pass | West-central | Jun to Sep |
| Beartooth Highway | South-central | Jul to Sep, closed winter |
| Paradise Valley | South-central | Jun to Sep |
| Gallatin Canyon | South-central | Jun to Sep |
| Madison Valley and Quake Lake | Southwest | Jun to Sep |
| Kings Hill Scenic Byway | Central | Jun to Sep |
In the app
Rider-added Montana roads in Rippin'
Below are the Montana roads riders have added to Rippin' so far. Montana is wide open in the app, so if one of these classics is missing, add it. Ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment: drop a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it. See how roads get added.
Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads. A segment board is about who owns the road and who rides it, not a race. In Montana, the deer decide the pace anyway.
Almost all of Montana is unclaimed turf, and the loops here are enormous. Paradise Valley down US 89 and back up East River Road closes a loop, and so does the Flathead Lake circuit. Close one and the land inside becomes yours on the live map.
Live from the app
Montana on Rippin' right now.
1 upcoming event and 2 rider-added roads in Montana on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
Roads riders added in Montana
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Montana?
The headliners are Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass and the Beartooth Highway climbing out of Red Lodge. Both are seasonal, so check openings. For quieter riding, try Kings Hill, the Seeley-Swan or Lolo Pass.
When does the Beartooth Highway open?
It typically opens in late May and closes in mid-October, weather permitting, and snow can close it for a day in any month. Check MDT and WYDOT before you go.
Can you ride a motorcycle on Going-to-the-Sun Road?
Yes. The full road is usually open from late June or July into fall. Check Glacier's website first, since the park has required vehicle reservations in recent summers.
What are the best motorcycle rides near Bozeman?
Gallatin Canyon to Big Sky and West Yellowstone, Paradise Valley from Livingston to Gardiner, and the Madison Valley past Quake Lake. The Beartooth is a big day from Bozeman.
What are the best motorcycle rides near Missoula?
Lolo Pass, the Bitterroot Valley, the Seeley-Swan Highway and the Blackfoot Valley on MT 200. Flathead Lake is a short trip north.
Can I add Montana roads to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Be first on Montana's map.
Download Rippin' free, ride one of these roads with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.
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