Taft Summit (FR 7709) — Plains/Thompson Falls in MT -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Montana

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Taft Summit (FR 7709) — Plains/Thompson Falls in MT

Lolo NF, Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District
6,008 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
VerizonMARGINAL
AT&TNONE
T-MobileUSABLE
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A 15.4-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Sanders County, MT. The road is open seasonally, May 16 to October 14.

Lolo National Forest, Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District records no overnight restriction here.

4.3 of the 15.4 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Dirt the whole way in (15.4 miles). Climbs 3,400 ft over 15.4 miles -- sustained grades near 12%, with pitches to 24%. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~190 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 26 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch.

Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.0 miles off. The nearest town, Thompson Falls, is 14 mi off.

September normals 44–61°F, 1.5″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Ward Creek (FR 889) in MTForest Road Road16.8miTwomile Creek (FR 431) in MTForest Road Road19.2miNewman Ridge (FR 1185) in MTForest Road Road19.6miLittle Joe Ridge (FR 6314) in MTForest Road Road20.9miUpper Little Joe (FR 1179) in MTForest Road Road22.2mi
Fire restrictions

Set by Lolo National Forest, Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?