Updated Mountain Trail Bike Map as of January 2026 - click button above.
Adrenaline Rush on Rice Ridge
Fall 2025
By Cathy Kahnle
The SMT bike trail project is taking off with a bang. 💥 We hired a professional bike trail designer, Radius Trails, to design a 27 mile system of trails in connection with the already existing ski trails at Seeley Creek. The design includes trails for beginners, intermediate and expert bikers and in the event you enjoy fat tire biking, 9 miles of these trails are specifically designed for winter grooming. It also works in conjunction with the existing ski trails, that are available for biking in the summer.
The US Forest Service worked with us to get the NEPA (environmental assessment) done to make sure there would be no negative consequences to the land or wildlife. We got the go-ahead in August and the project took off from there.
In one month, volunteers, with a little help from our friends at the forest service, have cut, brushed and cleared an 8 foot trail section of almost 6 miles. SMT has purchased a mini excavator to start digging the trail. Volunteers excavated just under two miles of trail (October 20, 2025).
SMT hired DJ&A, a national professional services and engineering firm with experience in assisting communities develop outdoor recreation-based economies. DJ&A are providing project management, strategic fundraising and grant writing for this project, and have already contacted and/or applied for several grants to help construct these trails.
In the meantime, the community is stepping up to the plate to start the trails. Volunteers are on the trails daily to get clearing and excavating work done. Community members are starting to donate funds for the project. In one month, over $77,000 has already been raised. the most amazing aspect of this project, and the community support we are receiving, is the fact that volunteers thus far have primarily been people who don't even ride bikes, but favor OHV and snowmobiles.
This project is designed to not only provide incredible bike trails for local bikers and students, but to draw recreational visitors from Missoula, Helena, Great Falls, Kalispell, Whitefish and nationally to support community businesses, fill campgrounds, RV parks and rentals.
Even more exciting, we have already been in contact with the Montana Interscholastic Cycling League to discuss bringing cycling events to town. We are encouraged that they want to start cycling teams to our middle and high schools.
This bike trail is a fantastic project for our community. Help us make this project a reality. Volunteer, donate, and JOIN SCENIC MONTANA TRAILS.