Blue Mountain Bike Trails

This 4,900-acre recreation area includes 41 miles of system trails and is a popular spot for locals and visitors because of its proximity to the city of Missoula and the views of the Missoula valley, and the Sapphire and Rattlesnake mountains. Blue Mountain Recreation Area East Zone is a day use area only; the area is closed 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The lower trails near the parking areas are very popular for hikers and dog walkers, so please keeps speeds low on these trails and always yield to other users.

Rides typically start from the main lower parking lot trailhead located at the corner of Blue Mountain Rd and Forest Hills Dr. Riders generally head up on the main Corridor Trail 3.04 or Out and Back 3.08 and aim for either Rocky Top or the Moto Trailhead. From either of these high points, a rider has several choices to descend for an after-work quickie, or one can head up higher to the top of the Hayes Creek descent (bonus points for doing the Summit Loop Trail). From here, its a fast flow fest back down on the Hayes Creek Trail and out Why Not (or double bonus for climbing back out Moto Line and dropping the front side (GI Joe/Carcass or Rocky Top/Out and Back)

If you're feeling exploratory and/or hankering for some rocks after riding the Rattlesnake , moto trails like J's Trail, Orchard, Rocks & Roots and Deadmans Point Loop will scratch that itch.

The crown jewel (in the eyes of the right beholder) of the Blue Mountain system is a giant loop to the top of Blue Mountain (see Trailforks route). From the lookout tower at the top, a super rowdy and loose 3,000 ft descent will take you all the way back down to the main trailhead.