Montana Trails

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System

3/5 (1 reviews)

Lakeside, Montana (Flathead County)

Last Updated: 10/14/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

Forest

Iconic

Rock

Snow Wheeling

Located near Kalispell, in the Flathead National Forest of northwest Montana, Blacktail OHV Trail is unlike any other trail you will find in a National Forest. Designated as a National Recreation Trail in 1979, it was not until the 2000's that members from two local 4-wheel drive clubs were given the "OK" to create numerous manmade "challenge features" along several forest roads that now make up the three legs of the Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail system. This trail system is the northernmost Jeep Badge of Honor (BOH) trail and by far the most unique trail system in Montana. Jeep owners from across the country might visit this area mainly in summer, but don't be fooled. Even during the winter, this area is a 4-wheeler's paradise.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

Trail Navigation

Blacktail OHV starts at the easternmost trailhead for the Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV trail system. This straight-through route follows Forest Service Roads 917 and 917A for just over 3 miles to the Truman Saddle Junction. When dry, the main road is an easy, bumpy dirt road that can be completed by any high clearance 2WD vehicle. However, there are sporadic obstacles on the sides of the trail the entire way. The obstacles are entirely manmade with some natural help and are called "Challenge Features." This eastern leg makes up only one of the three legs of the ORV trail system, and Blacktail OHV has the easiest challenge features of the three legs. Challenge features along this leg consist of mainly dug-out holes and small hill climbs. Combine this trail with Upper Dayton Creek and Wild Bill - Eagle Mountain to complete the entire Jeep Badge of Honor.

1. Blacktail Road Trailhead (0 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 1: Blacktail Road Trailhead

Directly west of Blacktail Road, you will find a small staging area. The Blacktail Trailhead is the smallest of three staging areas for the Blacktail Wild Bill OHV system. Four or maybe five trucks and trailers could fit here. The trail begins on the opposite side of the parking lot from the informational kiosk, heading south.

2. Steep Hill Option (0.5 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 2: Steep Hill Option

Shortcutting the switchback is an optional steep hill obstacle. The hill is lined with loose rock and a few larger, embedded rocks. Near the bottom, a shallow hole has been dug, causing additional vehicle lean and suspension flex.

3. Flexy Obstacle (0.62 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 3: Flexy Obstacle

This obstacle has offset holes to each side, resulting in a lot of vehicle flex. The last hole in the set has an incredibly steep break-over angle best for extremely tall or short wheelbase vehicles.

4. Hole Obstacle (0.82 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 4: Hole Obstacle

To the left is a deep hole with a steep break-over angle and a lot of loose rock.

5. Smaller Hole Obstacle (0.9 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 5: Smaller Hole Obstacle

This hole obstacle has much shallower break-over angles than the previous obstacle. The last hole in this set can drag the belly, but there is more dirt than rock in the soil. Thus undercarriage scraping should be minimal.

6. Dipping Loop (1.27 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 6: Dipping Loop

Darting off into the trees and quickly returning is a quick loop with two large dips that are likely filled with water during the wet season. The dips are 1-2 feet deep in spots.

7. Middle Blacktail - Stay Left (1.49 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 7: Middle Blacktail - Stay Left

The trail intersects with a graded gravel road and becomes road #917A to the left. To the right is a dead-end road named Middle Blacktail.

8. Rocky Climb Loop (1.69 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 8: Rocky Climb Loop

Back and to the right is a short spur that climbs a steep and rocky hill. After the ascent, loop back down to the left and return to the main trail where you left it.

9. Original Blacktail (2.13 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 9: Original Blacktail

To the left is the Original Blacktail trail, a narrow route through the trees that offers similar obstacles to others you have already seen. The Original Blacktail has a lot of steep dips and water bars that are not bypassable. If you are in a long or low clearance vehicle with a short break-over angle, or if you are not comfortable with pulling into tight, paint scratching trees and brush to avoid oncoming traffic, it is recommended that you stay right and avoid this spur.

10. Truman Saddle - Trail Ends (3.16 mi)

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System - Waypoint 10: Truman Saddle - Trail Ends

Blacktail OHV Trail comes to an end at the Truman Saddle junction. From this point, you can turn left and head to the Upper Dayton Creek Trailhead. Go straight to catch Upper Dayton Creek OHV Trail and Wild Bill - Eagle Mountain Trail, or turn right and head east on Truman Creek, which will take you to Kila.

Trail Reviews

3/5 (1)

Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

97850

Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 08/14/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Fun trail to get your feet wet with the trail system. It is definitely very unique to see a FS road with a bunch of obstacles off the sides of it. Although I would rate the obstacles along this trail as the smallest obstacles along the trail system, many of them have breakover angles that just aren't suitable for full-size 4wd vehicles. Definitely more suitable for ATVs and side by sides. Now that doesn't mean Jeeps and trucks can't have fun along this leg. There are definitely fun obstacles. Just don't be surprised if you end up passing several of the obstacles, or spending a lot of time winching because you got turtled.

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System

Trail Information

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Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Trail Navigation

1. Blacktail Road Trailhead (0 mi)

2. Steep Hill Option (0.5 mi)

3. Flexy Obstacle (0.62 mi)

4. Hole Obstacle (0.82 mi)

5. Smaller Hole Obstacle (0.9 mi)

6. Dipping Loop (1.27 mi)

7. Middle Blacktail - Stay Left (1.49 mi)

8. Rocky Climb Loop (1.69 mi)

9. Original Blacktail (2.13 mi)

10. Truman Saddle - Trail Ends (3.16 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Ryan Boudreau

Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Recommended Vehicle:

Concerns:

Summary:

Community Consensus

0 votes

1 votes

0 votes

Mandatory

Optional

Start your next adventure on Blacktail OHV Trail aka Blacktail-Wild Bill ORV Trail System

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Trail Navigation

1. Blacktail Road Trailhead (0 mi)

2. Steep Hill Option (0.5 mi)

3. Flexy Obstacle (0.62 mi)

4. Hole Obstacle (0.82 mi)

5. Smaller Hole Obstacle (0.9 mi)

6. Dipping Loop (1.27 mi)

7. Middle Blacktail - Stay Left (1.49 mi)

8. Rocky Climb Loop (1.69 mi)

9. Original Blacktail (2.13 mi)

10. Truman Saddle - Trail Ends (3.16 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Ryan Boudreau

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