Guides/Overland routes/Montana
Overland route49 midifficulty: easy

Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway

RegionMontanaAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway — overland route near Wise River, Montana, Montana
Photo by U.S. Forest Service Northern Region via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
49mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Any high-clearance passenger vehicle in summer. The middle gravel section is graded but corrugated; trailers and RVs handle it.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Cell coverage
None on the byway interior; service returns near Wise River and Polaris.
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Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is a 49-mile route on Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest that connects MT-43 at Wise River with MT-278 near Polaris, threading the valley between the East and West Pioneer Mountains. The road is paved on its outer ends and gravel through the middle, climbing past Crystal Park, Elkhorn Hot Springs, and the Coolidge ghost town along the way.

Most drivers run the byway in two to three hours, longer with stops. The seasonal closure runs from late November through mid-May at the upper gates, and the gravel middle is the slowest stretch. There are no technical obstacles and any high-clearance vehicle handles it; trailers manage if drivers slow down for the corrugations.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closures. The upper gates close from late November through mid-May. Check status with the Wise River or Wisdom Ranger District.
  • Washboarded gravel. The middle section corrugates badly in late summer. Slow down or air down.
  • Wildlife on the road. Moose, deer, and elk cross routinely, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • Lightning above treeline. The high portions can draw afternoon thunderstorms in July and August.
  • No services on the byway. Carry water, fuel, and a spare tire.

Location

49 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 45.585, -113.066

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townWise River, Montana
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r01/beaverhead-deerlodge
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Approx. location45.585, -113.066

Getting there

Directions

From Wise River (north entrance). From Butte, take I-15 south to Divide, then MT-43 west fifteen miles to Wise River. The byway begins at the south edge of town as Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway / Forest Road 484.

From Polaris / Dillon (south entrance). From Dillon, take MT-278 west toward Wisdom. About thirty-five miles in, turn north on the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway near Polaris.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway runs north to south between the two halves of the Pioneer Mountains in southwestern Montana. The north entrance is at Wise River on MT-43, fifteen miles east of Wisdom and the Big Hole Battlefield. The south entrance is on MT-278 near Polaris, with Bannack State Park and Dillon a short drive further south. Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest's Wise River and Wisdom Ranger Districts manage the corridor.

Trail Overview

Forty-nine miles, point-to-point, with about thirty-six paved and the remaining gravel stretch graded between Coolidge and the south paved section. The route climbs from roughly 5,800 feet at Wise River to about 7,800 feet near Crystal Park before dropping to the south. There are no technical obstacles, but the middle gravel can washboard hard in late summer and the upper gates close with snow in late November.

Points of Interest

  • Crystal Park. A 220-acre USFS day-use area where visitors can dig for quartz crystals. A modest day-use fee covers the digging area.
  • Elkhorn Hot Springs. Privately owned hot-spring resort on the byway with a developed pool, lodging, and a restaurant.
  • Coolidge ghost town. A short walk off the byway leads to the remains of the Elkhorn Mine and a 1920s mining camp on Forest Service land.
  • Grasshopper Creek and Wise River corridors. Both creeks parallel the road with multiple FS campgrounds along them.

Where to Camp

Beaverhead-Deerlodge maintains a string of developed campgrounds along the byway: Boulder Creek, Willow, Lodgepole, Mono Creek, Little Joe, Fourth of July, and Grasshopper. Most have vault toilets and potable water during the developed-camping season. Dispersed camping on FS land is allowed off the main road with the standard 16-day limit.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Check road status before leaving. The Wise River Ranger District (406-832-3178) holds current condition info, and the upper gates close from late November through mid-May.
  • Top off in Wise River, Wisdom, or Dillon. There is no gas on the byway.
  • The gravel middle section corrugates hard by August. Drop tire pressure if the washboard gets uncomfortable.
  • Crystal Park digging requires nothing more than a shovel and a screen, both available to rent at Elkhorn Hot Springs nearby.
  • The byway pairs well with the Big Hole Battlefield to the west or Bannack State Park to the south.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway?
Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is rated easy. The route runs 49 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway?
Any high-clearance passenger vehicle in summer. The middle gravel section is graded but corrugated; trailers and RVs handle it.
When is the best time to visit Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Is there cell service at Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway?
None on the byway interior; service returns near Wise River and Polaris.