One Of The Most Scenic Drives In America Is Right Here In Montana

Have you ever wanted to strike out on an expedition? Lemhi Pass in Montana will take you through breathtaking scenery on a journey back in time. One of the best scenic drives in Montana, this beautiful byway has earned national acclaim. Here's why you should go out of your way to take this scenic route in Montana, recently named one of America's Most Scenic Roads by Travel + Leisure:

Lemhi Pass lies on the Montana-Idaho border, following the Continental Divide. This historic pass is located in the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Beaverhead Mountains (in the Bitterroot Range of the Rocky Mountains). The unpaved road is over 7,300 feet above sea level.

From 1803 to 1846, this pass marked the United States' western border. Lewis and Clark used this pass in 1805 to leave the United States and become the first Americans to travel this far west. They saw the white-capped mountains before them and knew they were beginning a difficult leg of their journey.

Lewis and Clark had to acquire horses to make the pass, and the modern-day traveler should acquire a high-clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive (and a spare tire). The road is unpaved and can be rocky.

The last four miles of the unpaved road is a single lane and could require some tricky driving if you encounter an oncoming car. Watch out for cattle and moose that often wander onto the road.

Though it may be nerve-racking for some, the payoff is undeniable. To travel in the footsteps of some of America's greatest adventurers, through scenery that looks almost exactly the same as it did two centuries ago, is an incredible experience. This is absolutely one of the best scenic drives in Montana.

Patches of pine and douglas-fir spring up along the side of the road, blanketed in sagebrush and, in some places, wildflowers. Throughout the drive, the rugged mountains make a breathtaking backdrop. Traveling this pass is an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy taking the scenic route? Do you agree that it's one of the best driving routes in Montana? For more beautiful road trip adventures in the Treasure State, check out these 10 Beautiful Byways In Montana That Are Perfect For A Scenic Drive. And for more ways to discover all that Montana has to offer, check out the adventures available on Airbnb Experiences.