McCarty Creek
McCarty Creek to Boulder Park
Up McCarty Creek Road from Boulder, then the rocky jeep trail along McCarty Creek to Boulder Park, returning toward Elkhorn Road (FS Road 258) and MT-69.
Moderate · Narrow and Brushy
AGF rates a trail by its hardest unavoidable obstacle in normal dry conditions. On AGF's June 17, 2023 run the normal line was stock-capable, with optional harder sections, narrow brush and real paint risk for full-size rigs. Expect small creek crossings, rocks, deadfall and a short narrow boulder pitch (onX and the county brochure). Mud, snow and fallen timber make it harder.
Snow, mud, runoff, deadfall and fire are condition changes, not part of the base rating.
Getting There
From Boulder, follow East Fourth Avenue 0.5 mile as it curves right onto Muskrat Lane. Continue 0.7 mile, cross Upper Valley Road at the yield sign and go straight onto McCarty Creek Road. After 0.5 mile cross a cattle guard and curve left, then go 1.8 miles to the road's end, a large parking and turnaround area; the final ruts may need high clearance (Jefferson County trails brochure). A jeep trail continues about 3.1 miles along McCarty Creek to Boulder Park. onX (secondary) closes the loop south to Elkhorn Road (FS Road 258), which meets MT-69 about 6 miles south of Boulder; the exact connector between Boulder Park and FS 258, and the motorized status of both, are unverified: confirm with the Butte Ranger District.
The pin marks the trail start from AGF's record. No downloadable track is published: AGF's June 2023 GPS track was not recovered, and the connector segments are not matched to the current MVUM.
Rig Requirements
- Stock 4x4
- Yes
- High clearance
- Recommended
- Tires
- 31-inch minimum
- Rear locker
- No
- Front locker
- No
- Winch
- Recommended
- Full-size
- Limited
- Body damage
- Moderate risk
Stock or lightly modified 4x4s fit the standard line in dry conditions. Full-size and wide rigs should expect narrow cuts, brush, deadfall and pinstriping. Carry good all-terrain tires, a full-size spare, a saw, a radio and recovery gear.
Know Before You Go
- Season
- Summer through fall; snow and deadfall dependent
- Typical trip
- Half day; full day with the Elkhorn extension
- Camping
- Limited
- Trailer parking
- Yes
- Turnaround
- Limited
- Open range: expect cattle and cattle guards.
- A 2025 state timber permit next to the county road may bring log trucks (2026 activity unverified).
- Food storage rules apply; which order covers this part of the Elkhorns is unconfirmed, so store food as required either way.
- Fall is hunting season in the Elkhorns; check FWP season dates, wear blaze orange and expect hunter traffic.
- No 2026 condition report was found (last onX report Dec. 10, 2025: mud, snow and ice). Expect deadfall from the December 2025 windstorm.
- Hay, straw or mulch must be certified weed-free (order R1-2025-01).
Sources & Review
- Jefferson County Bd. of Comm'rs v. McCauley Ranches (Mont. 1999) (McCarty Creek Road held a county road)
- Jefferson County trails brochure (2020) (directions; Boulder Park jeep trail)
- USFS: Elkhorn Picnic Area (FS Road 258 from MT-69; Butte Ranger District)
- Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest alerts (checked Oct. 8, 2026; no closure for this loop)
- Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest alerts (checked Oct. 8, 2026; Dec. 2025 windstorm hazard-tree caution)
- Elkhorns travel Supplemental Information Report (2007) (seasonal closure codes, incl. Oct. 15–Dec. 1)
- onX Offroad: McCarty Creek Trail (secondary; loop via FS 258)
Last reviewed Oct. 8, 2026. No closure found for the loop, but the Elkhorns seasonal closures (from Oct. 15) are not yet matched to these roads. AGF last drove it on June 17, 2023.
AGF ratings describe normal, dry-condition difficulty. They do not mean a route is legal, open or passable today. Spot something out of date? Use the Contact page.