5. Elk City to Lolo, MT
ELK CITY TO LOLO, MT – 178 miles
This is the Idaho you’ve always dreamed about: moose, wolves, elk and dramatic vistas. The Magruder Corridor itself runs from the Red River Ranger Station east of Elk City to Darby, Montana and follows a strip of land between the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and Frank Church Wilderness. Little has changed on the Magruder Corridor Road (NF-468) since it was built in the 1930s. The road surface itself is not particularly challenging in dry conditions, however, there are no services for about 120 miles and very few people around for help. Expect the ride to take five to six hours without stopping, but we recommend taking your time to enjoy the scenery and viewpoints along the way. The challenging side trip to Burnt Knob (8196’) is short but sweet and highly recommended. There are numerous primitive national forest campgrounds provided along this road. The corridor is typically open from July through September. After reaching civilization in Darby, there is roughly 50 miles of pavement to Lolo and plenty of fuel and lodging options along the way.
5. Elk City to Lolo, MT
ELK CITY TO LOLO, MT – 178 miles
This is the Idaho you’ve always dreamed about: moose, wolves, elk and dramatic vistas. The Magruder Corridor itself runs from the Red River Ranger Station east of Elk City to Darby, Montana and follows a strip of land between the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and Frank Church Wilderness. Little has changed on the Magruder Corridor Road (NF-468) since it was built in the 1930s. The road surface itself is not particularly challenging in dry conditions, however, there are no services for about 120 miles and very few people around for help. Expect the ride to take five to six hours without stopping, but we recommend taking your time to enjoy the scenery and viewpoints along the way. The challenging side trip to Burnt Knob (8196’) is short but sweet and highly recommended. There are numerous primitive national forest campgrounds provided along this road. The corridor is typically open from July through September. After reaching civilization in Darby, there is roughly 50 miles of pavement to Lolo and plenty of fuel and lodging options along the way.
Burnt Knob Fire Lookout 8196’
Burnt Knob Fire Lookout A short, yet rugged side road climbs up to a lookout tower near the middle of the Magruder Corridor. The Burnt Knob Fire Lookout is only about a 1.5-mile ride each way but it’s not for everyone. BDR considers this road an expert only section, but if you are up for the challenge it comes with amazing views of the surrounding area if you reach the summit. This is also a good opportunity to stop for a while and grab a drink or make use of the site’s primitive facility during this long and rough stretch of the BDR. The side road that leads to the lookout is rocky and unmaintained, but usually accessible enough for riders traveling the Idaho BDR. Visit Website »
Conner MT - Food, Lodging
IDBDR POI
Darby MT - Food, Gas, Lodging
S Main St and N Main St and E Tanner Ave and W Tanner Ave
Elk City - Food, Gas, Lodging
Elk City – Food & Gas Be sure to make the next stop for fuel and food in Elk City. It’s the last place to stop for supplies before hitting the long and remote Magruder Corridor. While the former mining town mostly attracts tourists today, it does offer a couple of places to eat, shop and even get some rest for the night. That’s important because Elk City sits on the western end of Magruder, a grueling, 100+ mile stretch with no bailout points and no services along the way. This rugged single-lane road cuts between Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to the north and Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to the south. Visit Website »
Hamilton MT - Food, Gas, Lodging
Hamilton
Lolo MT - Food, Gas, Lodging
Magruder Massacre Site
Magruder Massacre Site The next stop on the Idaho BDR is perhaps one of the most gruesome stories told in Idaho history. Magruder Massacre Site marks the memory of a notorious robbery and murder during the days of the gold rush. Take the small turnoff to read more about the Magruder Massacre on a sign sitting alongside the route. It describes the nearby place where a man named Lloyd Magruder and his crew likely met their fate in this remote countryside in 1863. Eventually, those responsible for the crimes were returned to area, tried and punished as part of the State of Idaho’s first legal executions. Magruder was a respected and popular man in the region. Prior to his murder, Lloyd had agreed to represent the Idaho Territory in the US congress and this historic mountain crossing and forest road bears his name. Visit Website »
Poet Creek CG
Magruder Corridor Rd
ID5 - Elk City to Lolo MT
ID5 EXT - Burnt Knob Fire Lookout
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