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| Home > Montana > Russian Flat |
Russian Flat
Saturday, December 23, 2023
| Other Names | Lewis And Clark National Forest, Belt Creek Ranger District, Little Belt Mountains, Rocky Mountains, Holiday Camp, Hay Canyon, Lost Fork Ridge, Sand Point, Burnt Ridge, Hidden Lake, Burley Peak, Ettien Spring, Middle Fork Judith, Hunters Spring Cabin |
| Last Known Status | Closed For Season |
This part of the Little Belt Mountains offers miles of high elevation riding with various degrees of difficulty plus a beginner youth loop near Russian Camp. The trail system has a couple primitive campgrounds that offer direct trail access, which includes Hay Canyon and Holiday Camp. Russian Camp is about 1.5 miles away from the youth loop but does not offer direct trail access (unless street legal).
This trail system is located south of Woodchopper Ridge but there appears to be no direct access so you will have to haul unless street legal. This area has a short season and is generally open to motorized use between July through mid October but exact dates vary. For current conditions check with the Belt Creek Ranger District before heading out.
Camping is primitive at the designated campgrounds but bring your own supplies. A rustic cabin rental is also in the area and is located about 10 miles west past Russian Camp. The cabin can sleep up to eight people and includes basic cooking utensils, propane cookstove and wood stove. Bring your own water.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | Montana OHV Permit |
| Dates Open | July 1 - October 14 | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | No | A non-resident temporary registration sticker is required. (As of March 2020, Montana no longer honors stickers from any other states.) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (50 inches) | has entrance gate or posts |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 ATVs | Some Areas | (maximum width 50 inches) permitted on designated trails |
 UTV & SXS | Some Areas | (maximum width 50 inches) permitted on designated trails |
 4x4 & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
| MX Helmet Required | Youth Only | required for persons under 18 by state law (RiderPlanet strongly recommends helmets for all riders.) |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
| Night Riding | Unknown | Not Recommended |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | no trailblazing |
| Rule Enforcement |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Sapphire Village, MT | ||
| Address | South Fork Road, Hobson, MT 59452 | ||
| From: Great Falls, MT
1) Take US-87 South about 65 miles 2) Turn right (south) onto MT-541, continue about 11 miles 3) Turn right (south) onto Utica Loop/Pigeye Road, continue 12.8 miles 4) Veer left (south) at the fork onto S Fork Road, continue about 4.5 miles 5) Hay Canyon Campground is on the left (west). For Russian Flat Campground: 6) Continue south past Hay Canyon Campground 9.4 miles 7) Campground entrance is on the left (south). For Holiday Camp: 8) Continue west past Russian Flat Campground 3.5 miles 9) Turn right (north) onto Ettin Ridge Road, continue 2.2 miles 10) Campground entrance is on the right. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Lewis And Clark National Forest - Belt Creek Ranger District 4234 US Highway 89 North Neihart, MT 59465 (406) 236-5100 mailroom_r1_lewis_and_clark@fs.fed.us www.fs.usda.gov |
| Contact Info | Montana Fish, Wildlife And Parks 1420 East 6th Avenue Helena, MT 59620-0701 (406) 444-2950 fwpgen@mt.gov fwp.mt.gov |
| Comment | Montana OHV Permit Info |
Russian Flat Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 1/31/2019 (Thanks!)
Russian Flat Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 1/31/2019 (Thanks!)
Russian Flat Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 1/31/2019 (Thanks!)
ADD PHOTOS
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 44,800 acres (70 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 35 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 5900 to 8000 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand |  None | |
| Mud | Little | |
| Dust | Little | |
| Rocks |  Some | |
| Trees |  All | |
| Steep Hills |  Many | |
| Water Crossings |  Few | |
| Small Jumps | None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms | Some | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | Some | |
| Roads | Few | |
| Shade | Many | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Little | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Some |
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 30+ Miles (NE) | Eddies Corner (406) 374-2471 |
| Diesel | 30+ Miles (NE) | Eddies Corner (406) 374-2471 |
 Water | 5-20 Miles (N) | Judith Guard Station (406) 236-5100 |
 RV Hookup | 30+ Miles (N) | Fort Ponderosa Campground (406) 277-3232 |
 RV Disposal | 30+ Miles (N) | Fort Ponderosa Campground (406) 277-3232 |
| Campground | On Site | |
 Conv Store | 30+ Miles (NE) | Eddies Corner (406) 374-2471 |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS