Top Motorcycle Roads in Montana
Montana shares its legendary roads with neighboring states like Idaho, Wyoming, and the Dakotas, creating an interconnected network of breathtaking routes for motorcycle enthusiasts. Whether you’re crossing over from Washington state or planning a longer journey through the northern Rockies, Montana’s diverse terrain offers unforgettable riding experiences.
1. The Beartooth Highway
- Location: Red Lodge to Cooke City
- Distance: 68 miles
- Features: Switchbacks, mountain views, elevation up to 11,000 feet
- Key Attractions: Mountain lakes, scenic pullouts
- Best Time: Late June to early September
- Difficulty: Challenging, with steep climbs and hairpin turns
2. Cruising Glacier National Park
- Location: West Glacier/Saint Mary area
- Distance: 150 miles
- Features: Mountain vistas, glacial valleys
- Key Attractions: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald
- Best Time: Summer months
3. The Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Location: Glacier National Park
- Distance: 50 miles
- Features: Narrow winding road, mountain views, glacial lakes
- Key Attractions: Logan Pass, Bird Woman Falls, Weeping Wall
- Best Time: Late June to early September
- Difficulty: Challenging with size restrictions
4. Lolo Pass (US-12)
- Location: Missoula to Idaho border
- Distance: 33 miles
- Features: Long sweeping curves, tight s-curves
- Key Attractions: Nez-Perce Clearwater National Forest
- Difficulty: Moderate
5. Highway 141
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Location: Avon to Highway 200
- Distance: 32 miles
- Features: Rolling hillsides, sweeping turns
- Key Attractions: Garnet Mountains, pastoral landscapes
Best Motorcycle Rides
1. Great Scenic Loop
- Location: Western Montana and Idaho
- Distance: 655 miles
- Features: Five rivers, six scenic byways
- Key Attractions: Bitterroot Mountains, small towns
- Notes: Multi-day trip recommended
2. Flathead Lake Loop
- Location: Kalispell area
- Distance: 90 miles
- Features: Lakeside views, mountain ranges
- Key Attractions: Flathead cherries, lakeside towns
- Best Time: Mid to late summer
3. Glaciers to Geysers Route
- Location: Between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks
- Features: National park landscapes, small towns
- Key Attractions: Both national parks, scenic byways
- Notes: Connects Montana’s two major national parks
For riders venturing beyond Montana’s borders, the scenic routes continue into Utah’s red rock country and Washington’s evergreen forests. The state’s proximity to Wyoming allows easy access to Yellowstone National Park, while riders heading east can explore the rugged beauty of the North Dakota badlands.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with Montana’s motorcycle laws before hitting the road, and consider exploring the neighboring states’ scenic byways for an extended adventure through the American West.
Motorcycle Rides in the US by States
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Vishwanath Mathpati
I am Vishwanath Mathpati, a full-time Blogger and Motorcyclist from Bidar, Karnataka. I love writing about my Motorcycles Stories and Riding Gears on this blog.
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