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O Deerlodge Scenic Byways
Many of th Deerlodge Forest Service roads provide visitors the opportunity for drives from one hour to an entire day to view wildlife and panoramic vistas of high peaks and valleys. Visitors should obtain a Forest map to plan trips and take necessary precautions for unexpected changes in weather and road conditions. Forest roads will vary in condition from well maintained to primitive roads passable only with four-wheel drive vehicles
Butte Area
Highlands
The Highlands offer several opportunities for scenic drives accessing
the Highland Lookout and Humbug Spires. From Butte take Montana Highway
2 south eight miles to Roosevelt Drive (Forest Service Road #84) take a
right and drive approximately nine miles to the junction of Forest
Service Road #8520, take a left and drive one and a half miles, turn
left onto Forest Service Road #668 for one mile, turn south on Forest
Service Road #8514 for three fourths of a mile and then we recommend
you park your car and walk the remaining one and a half miles to the
Lookout. The road is maintained and suitable for two wheel drive
vehicles during the summer months to this point. Travel time is
approximately 45 minutes from Butte. The walk will take you above
timberline for a spectacular panoramic vista of the summer.
A second drive through the Highlands provides a scenic loop which comes
out through Burton Park and Interstate I5 at the Feeley interchange.
From Butte take Montana Highway 2 south eight miles to Roosevelt Drive
(Forest Service Road #84). The road continues for 19 miles to
Interstate I5 and provides scenic vistas in the Highlands and mountain
meadows with opportunities to view moose, elk and deer throughout the
drive. To return to Butte from the Feeley interchange, take I-15 north
to Interstate 90 and continue east to Butte four miles. This drive will
take approximately one and a half to two hours to complete and will
accommodate two-wheel vehicles during the area.
Elk Park
North of Butte offers a scenic loop drive from either elk Park to
Bernice on Interstate I5 or Rocker on Interstate 90. From Butte take
Interstate I5 north to Helena to the elk Park exit and drive west on
Forest Service Road #442 past Sheepshead Recreation Area for
approximately ten miles where the road connects to Forest Service Road
#82 and continues out to Interstate I5 at the Bernice interchange. The
drive will take you down through an old mining area where you can view
tailings from past mining operations. This drive will take
approximately one and a halt to two hours to complete and will
accommodate two wheel vehicles during the summer.
Take Interstate I5 north to Helena, exit at elk Park and continue on
Forest Service Road #442 until it intersects with Forest Service Road
#9485. Take #9485 approximately 15 miles where it will join Road #85
and return to Interstate 90 at Rocker interchange. The drive will take
approximately one and a half to two hours to complete and accommodate
two wheel vehicles during the summer.
Spring Emery Road
From Deer Lodge. take Forest Service Road #705 to Forest Service Road
#1504 for approximately 11 miles to Forest Service Road #82, Turn right
and head back to Deer Lodge. The drive will take you through scenic
vistas and mountain meadows for a total of 25 miles. The road is
maintained and suitable for two wheel drive vehicles during the summer
months.
Then you can wind your way back to the Fish Creek House for some
afternoon treats.