Getting Oriented
The byway runs north-south on US-89 between Belt, north of the Little Belt Mountains, and White Sulphur Springs to the south. Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest's Belt Creek and White Sulphur Springs Ranger Districts manage the corridor. The route is one of the principal connectors between Great Falls and central Montana's Smith River country.
Trail Overview
Seventy-one miles, point-to-point, paved its full length. The road climbs gradually from roughly 3,500 feet at Belt to 7,393 feet at Kings Hill Pass before dropping to about 5,100 feet at White Sulphur Springs. Belt Creek parallels the northern stretch through a limestone canyon; the southern descent runs through open ranchland. There are no technical obstacles.
Points of Interest
- Memorial Falls. A short paved trail from a roadside pullout reaches Memorial Falls and Upper Memorial Falls on Belt Creek.
- Sluice Boxes State Park. Limestone canyon along Belt Creek south of Belt with primitive camping and fishing.
- Showdown Montana. Small ski area on Kings Hill Pass, open Friday through Sunday in winter.
- Kings Hill Pass. The crest at 7,393 feet. A spur road accesses Porphyry Peak Lookout.
- White Sulphur Springs. Hot springs town at the southern end with a developed pool, restaurants, and Smith River outfitters.
Where to Camp
Monarch and Aspen Campgrounds sit on the byway in the upper Belt Creek drainage. Other Helena-Lewis and Clark campgrounds in the Little Belts include Many Pines, Spring Creek, and Grasshopper Creek. Dispersed camping on FS land is allowed off side roads. White Sulphur Springs has private campgrounds and a city park with sites.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Plan for snow if driving outside June through September. Kings Hill Pass holds snow well into spring.
- Top off in Belt or White Sulphur Springs. The Showdown lodge at the pass sells limited supplies but no fuel.
- Belt Creek fishing is best in early summer. The Smith River put-in (private and lottery-permitted) sits south of the byway.
- Watch for elk and deer at dawn and dusk on the southern descent.
- Combine with the Smith River corridor or a drive into the Highwood Mountains north of Belt.
