← ALL MONTANA 4x4 TRAILS
MONTANA 4x4 TRAIL GUIDE · MT-0034

Rock Creek / Leadville

Boulder River · Blizzard Hill loop · near Basin, Montana
4/10AGF Difficulty · Moderate
LOOPAbout 20.2 miles
LOW RANGEUseful on climbs
USFSBeaverhead-Deerlodge NF (verify district)
CLOSED OCT. 15 – DEC. 1 (REPORTED). CHECK BEFORE YOU GO. The route is reported closed Oct. 15 to Dec. 1 every year for wildlife protection and hunting season. That date comes from a secondary source (onX), so confirm it on the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). Use designated open routes only, stay on the established line through wet meadows, and do not create bypasses. The current MVUM, closure orders, posted signs, private-property boundaries and gates override this guide. Old mining claims along the route may be patented private land, and old mine workings and shafts are hazardous. Check Beaverhead-Deerlodge alerts and read Know Before You Go.
WHAT THIS GUIDE COVERS

The Rock Creek / Leadville Loop

A scenic loop on the Boulder River side near Basin, through Rock Creek, the Leadville mining remains and Blizzard Hill, with its far end near Champion Pass. onX reports the route crosses the Continental Divide Trail system.

NOT INCLUDED: side trips and mine spurs. Stay away from old mine shafts and off mining claims. AGF has not yet matched every road on this loop to its MVUM number.
WHY 4/10

Moderate · Creek Bed and Ledges

AGF rates a trail by its hardest unavoidable obstacle in normal dry conditions. Normal summer travel includes creek-bed driving, rocky sections and ledges, loose-rock climbs, sharp turns and sidehills where low range and careful tire placement help. AGF drove it on July 13, 2024.

Rock
3/5
Mud
3/5
Water
3/5
Exposure
3/5
Snow
5/5
Pinstriping
3/5

Snow, mud, runoff, deadfall and fire are condition changes, not part of the base rating.

ROUTE & MAP

Getting There

Turn-by-turn directions are not published yet: AGF has not found an official source for them. The pin marks the loop's start on the Rock Creek Road / Boulder River side near Basin. The loop's far end reaches a road near Champion Pass (road number to verify on the MVUM).

LOADING MAP…
Beaverhead-Deerlodge alerts →ROUTE FILE: not published yet

The pin marks the Rock Creek Road start (AGF record). No downloadable track is published until the loop is matched to the current MVUM.

VEHICLE FIT

Rig Requirements

Stock 4x4
Yes
High clearance
Required
Tires
31-inch minimum
Rear locker
No
Front locker
No
Winch
Recommended
Full-size
Yes
Body damage
Moderate risk

Full-size rigs fit the common loop, but it is thin in places with sharp turns, ledges, creek-bed travel and sidehills. Sliders and a spotter help. Carry a saw and recovery gear; a winch or a partner vehicle is recommended when solo or wet.

TRIP PLANNING

Know Before You Go

Season
Summer through fall preferred
Reported closure
Oct. 15–Dec. 1 (verify on MVUM)
Typical trip
Half to full day
Camping
Yes
Turnaround
Limited
  • Spring runoff can make the water crossing about 3 feet deep, and early-winter and spring sidehills get slick (onX, secondary).
  • Cattle gates are on the route: leave every gate as you found it.
  • A food storage order applies Mar. 1–Dec. 1 on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge.
SOURCES

Sources & Review

Last reviewed Oct. 8, 2026. No official closure found; the reported Oct. 15–Dec. 1 seasonal closure is unconfirmed on the MVUM. AGF last drove the loop on July 13, 2024.

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.