By editor
Neihart Area
Located in central Montana, east of the main Rocky Mountain spine, the Little Belt and Castle Mountains are "island ranges" surrounded by prairie. Because they are slightly drier and lower in elevation than the ranges to the west, they often melt out earlier in the season.
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest manages this area, which is laced with historic mining roads, ATV trails, and singletrack. The riding is characterized by smooth, rolling terrain through lodgepole pine forests, interspersed with steep, rocky climbs to open, grassy summits. The Showdown Ski Area operates in the Little Belts, and the surrounding backcountry offers dozens of interconnected loops.
Must-Ride Trail: The trails radiating out from Kings Hill Pass offer high-elevation starting points for long, rolling descents through the Little Belts.
Visitor Access
- Total Mileage: 300+ miles of mixed trail and road
- Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
- Season: June through October
Confirm current trail conditions, seasonal closures, and land-manager rules before you ride. Carry bear spray on remote and alpine routes.