Gravel Routes in Townsend, Montana

townsend loop de loop

Gravel route on River Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

Limestone Hills Loop

Gravel route from River Rd to Centerville Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

Mud Springs Rd to Cold Spring Gulch

Dirt route from Mud Springs Rd to Mud Springs Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Mix of gravel and double track. Non-motorized at higher elevations in winter/spring. Best suited for mtn bike. I rode clockwise, better to ride counter clockwise and descend the Cold Spring Gulch (steep climb). Lotta potential on this route to connect with other loops. Endless."

Side Camp Spring Loop

Dirt route on River Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Fun double track loop, only ten miles but can use to build longer loops."

Mt. Edith Loop

Gravel route on US-12, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"18.5 mile dirt road loop up to the Mt. Edith trailhead. I rode counter clockwise so 3 mile section on pavement on HWY 12 was downhill. Very limited shoulder on short paved section. Rest is all nice dirt road. Nice climb, some good switchbacks, and good views of Grassy Mtn on the descent."

Cottonwood to North Fork to Holloway

Gravel route from State Hwy 284 to Holloway Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"A mellow climb up into the pines with some nice switchbacks up high. Very quiet road. Suitable for gravel bike. Pass into forest service land at fork. I didn't ride the road to the end, ran out of daylight. One of the better out and back climbs around. "

Dry Gulch Road

Gravel route from State Hwy 284 to Dry Gulch Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"A scenic, quiet climb over about 8 miles. Very little traffic compared to the Ray Creek drainages. Unfortunately, this road dead ends at private road and it walled off by private land on both sides, so no options to divert."

North Fork Ray Creek

Gravel route from Ray Creek Rd to N Fork Ray Creek, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Unfortunately this road ends at private land and is surrounding by private land, there is no option for a loop. Similar to South Fork Ray Creek. "

Ray Creek Road

Gravel route on Ray Creek Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"This is, unfortunately, only an out and back climb. Was hoping to loop back via N. Fk. Ray Creek but hit private land at the end of the climb. Sometimes topo maps don't tell the entire story. Good route regardless."

Cottonwood Road to S. Fork Ray Creek

Gravel route from State Hwy 284 to Delger Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Fun 20ish mile loop. I like riding up Cottonwood and return via Ray Creek (better views). Buff gravel, long/gradual/easy climb, zero traffic essentially."

Cottonwood Road

Gravel route from State Hwy 284 to Cottonwood Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

" Starts out with some mild washboards then rapidly improves. Gradual, easy climb through twisty gravel road with private lands on both sides. Saw zero cars on this road. Very quiet."

Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Loop

Gravel route from Delger Rd to Canton Ln, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Flat, easy loop on designated non-motorized routes. Travels through wildlife refuge. Might be a viable dirt route to connect Townsend to Duck Creek Pass route."

Prairie Dog Loop

Dirt route on River Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Route can be ridden either direction, although the downhill on the west end of the loop is more fun than he downhill that descends to River Road. Mostly OHV trail/double track, non-technical, then a few miles along the fast/rolling hills of River Road. "

Indian Springs Road to top

Gravel route on US-12, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Very easy, fast, smooth dirt road climb. Some heavy equipment traffic for first four miles until you turn off before mine. Good access road to endless other routes."

Upper Whipcracker Gulch

Gravel route on Indian Creek Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Map is from closing of loop, but best to park at railroad tracks and ride up Indian Springs. Ride up Indian Springs, through limestone canyon, go right on designated OHV trail. After a while you will come to switchback with FS gate across it. Go through gate on grassy/old road for about 100yrds, then cut right up hill on old mining road. This section has some hike-a-bike to gain ridge. It's not a big deal, just above treeline terrain. Have a sense of adventure, won't take long to reach ridge and rideable terrain. The descent is through non-motorized terrain on a good double track mining road to lower Whipcracker. "

Old Woman's Grave Loop

Gravel route on River Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Start up Indian Springs Rd, cut left at designated OHV double track that traverses to Old Woman's Grave Rd. Climb OWG road over pass, descent for a bit, then cut left of fun, rolling OHV double track to fun descent to close loop. Non-technical, but descent if fast/fun hero terrain. "

Whitehorse Road to Whipcracker Gulch

Dirt route from Unnamed Road to US-12, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Climb up through non-motorized area on Whitehorse Road. When you reach mountains, road becomes steep but rideable with good surface for climbing. Road is grassy but not unreasonable. Traverse at top of climb to Whipcracker Gulch descent on double track OHV route. I rode this in July and there were no road closures. In early August there was a gate closed on the descent mentioning private property. I believe this is BLM land with seasonal closure? Unsure. "

River Road to Old Woman’s Grave

Gravel route on Unnamed Road, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Ride the scenic, rolling hills of River Road. Turn off on double track for a while and prepare for steep climbs and hike-a-bike up some steep double track. Top out at cell towers and descend very lightly used double track down a ridge out to Old Woman’s Grave Road. Adventure ride for those who don’t mind pushing a bike up some steep hills."

Whipcracker Gulch

Gravel route on Unnamed Road, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"Ride up smooth easy climb via Indian Creek Road, turn hard right at “designated route” sign onto OHV double track. Traverse for a couple miles, then hard right at “designated route” sign at the pass. Fun descent on double track back to highway. "

100% gravel

Gravel route from Duck Creek Rd to Lower Confederate Ln, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"lovely climb into the forest"

White Gulch Road to Spring Gulch Road and Bilk Mt

Gravel route on White Gulch Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"The last time I rode this road there was a locked gate above the site of White City (now pretty much gone) preventing further travel. Therefore I've mapped the route up to Bilk mountain."

Avalanche Gulch Road

Gravel route on Avalanche Gulch Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"I've mapped the route to an intersection. This road can be connnected to Magpie Gulch Rd for a loop to be created but the loop requires some travel on pavement."

Old Woman's grave to Radersburg route

Gravel route on River Rd, Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

"The route goes from a parking area near Townsend up Old Woman's grave rd (named after a woman who died at age 32 in the 1800's) through the Limestone Hills to near Radersburg, returns on Mud Spring Creek Rd (can get very muddy when it rains - be forewarned) to the rock climbing area in Indian Creek canyon, then back to the start."

State Hwy 284 to Lincoln Rd W

Gravel route from Confederate Gulch Rd to Stemple Pass Rd, Townsend, Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Confederate Gulch Rd to Hwy 360

Gravel route from State Hwy 284 to Hwy 360, White Sulphur Springs, Meagher County, Montana

Duck Creek Pass

Gravel route from Duck Creek Rd to Birch Creek Rd, White Sulphur Springs, Meagher County, Montana

"This route offers one of the best scenic overlooks in Montana. Narrow with some steep drop-offs on the west side, gradual decline to the east. Can have slick and thick gumbo towards White Sulfur Springs if ridden to early in the season or after a heavy storm. Delightful."