Lewis & Clark Lolo Trail 5-Day BikeTrip
RIDING TYPE
Advanced
DURATION
5 Days
SEASON
July - August
Lewis and Clark Lolo Trail 5-Day Bike Trip
Lewis and Clark Lolo Trail: Conquer a Historical Cycling Adventure
Embark on an unparalleled Lewis and Clark Trail bike trip with Western Spirit Cycling, a truly immersive Lolo Trail mountain biking adventure that traces history. Imagine retracing the footsteps of the Corps of Discovery as they faced the formidable Bitterroot Mountains, west of Lolo Pass, in 1805. Our meticulously crafted 5-day itinerary leads you through remote, largely unchanged landscapes in Idaho and Montana, offering challenging climbs, exhilarating descents on primitive doubletrack, and constant points of historical interest. This trip was even named one of Outside Magazine’s “Top 25 Trips of a Lifetime”!
Our decades of proven experience and unwavering reliability allow you to confidently follow in the path of explorers. This trip is also E-Bike Ready, allowing more riders to experience this incredible journey.
Advanced Challenge, Historical Immersion & Remote Doubletrack
This Guided Nez Perce Trail Tour is tailored for Advanced cyclists with a keen interest in American history and remote wilderness, featuring:
Historical Immersion: Follow the exact Lewis and Clark route, with daily journal readings and interpretive programs. Visit historic expedition camps and the Nez Perce Tribe’s ancient sites like the Indian Post Office.
Challenging but Non-Technical: The doubletrack road rolls along ridge tops, providing continuous climbs and descents that offer a serious physical workout suitable for advanced cyclists.
Remote & Pristine: Experience Bitterroot Mountains biking through country largely unchanged since 1805, riding primitive roads where Captain William Clark observed rugged mountains in every direction.
Full Backcountry Support: All-inclusive package ensuring gourmet meals, picturesque camping, and expert guidance for navigating this Idaho Montana cycling adventure.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
Your Lewis and Clark Trail bike trip begins in Missoula, Montana. We’ll shuttle west over Lolo Pass, directly following the 1805 route.
Our ride starts at Powell Ranger Station, heading north onto the Lolo Trail itself, where the Corps of Discovery entered the most mountainous part of their monumental journey.
Ride a single-lane road along the ridge top, experiencing challenging, fast, and rolling terrain with cumulative climbs, culminating in a winding swoop down to our camp on Cayeuse Creek.
Today, we’ll continue on the roller coaster ridge top, passing several historic expedition camps.
You’ll ride past the spot where the corps famously had a meal of “bear oil and roots” and visit the remarkable Indian Post Office, a series of cairns traditionally used by the Nez Perce Tribe.
Our camp tonight is near Horseshoe Lake, perfect for a refreshing swim, and will feature discussions on Nez Perce history and Chief Joseph’s powerful story.
After some morning riding, we’ll load bikes onto the support truck for our hike on the ancient Nee-me-Poo trail past Cinque Hole Camp and towards Indian Grave, arriving at the evocative Smoking Place.
After the hike, we’ll continue riding towards Spirit Revival Ridge, where the Corps first glimpsed the western plains.
Our camp near Sherman Peak will host discussions on the incredible skills required for expedition members’ survival and mapping.
Today brings a significant physical challenge: a climb of over 3,000 feet to the top of Rocky Ridge.
The ascent is rewarded by a thrilling descent of nearly 3,000 feet into camp nestled among the cedars.
We’ll enjoy a refreshing swim and lunch at Rocky Ridge Lake.
As the ridge turns south, observe the fascinating changes in tree species, from alpine fir to western red cedar.
Conclude your Lewis and Clark Trail bike trip with a short ride from camp to visit the magnificent Clark Tree, a giant white pine that stood witness to history.
We’ll finish the trip with a final hike on the trail’s concluding portion to Lolo Campground for a celebratory lunch and shuttle back to Missoula, reflecting on an unforgettable historical bike tour.
-TRIP NOTES
The fine print
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
Road Surface
Primarily clay and gravel primitive roads (doubletrack).
Overall Rating
Challenging, fast, and rolling, with cumulative climbs providing a serious workout. Advanced
Technical Difficulty
Easy to moderate (non-technical riding, but requires attention on primitive roads).
Physical Difficulty
Moderate to difficult (due to significant climbing and multi-day endurance).
Altitude
3,000 - 7,000 feet.
Biking Mileage
5-30 miles per day
Hiking Mileage
5-30 miles per day
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
Missoula, MT at the Holiday Inn Missoula, 200 S Pattee St. Ending time: return to Missoula 4:00-5:00 PM last day. Getting there: 155 mi from Great Falls, MT; 200 mi east of Spokane, WA on I-90; fly into Missoula (MSO) or Spokane (GEG).
Lodging Before Your Trip
Holiday Inn Missoula
Doubletree
They have an airport van shuttle.
C’mon Inn Hotel & Suites
South Gate Inn
Sleep Inn
PACKING
What we provide
- Meals
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Camp mugs & dining ware
- 1 cycling water bottle
- Camp chairs
- Dry bags
- Solar showers
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Bike stand
- Lube
- First aid kit
Bring or rent
- Bike
- Helmet
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Cycling & camp clothing
- Rain gear
- Personal items
- Tipping cash (10-20%)
Bring or rent
Bringing or renting
- Bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- Helmet (gratis w
- Rental bike)
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
Cycling clothing
- Cycling shoes
- 3-5 pair cycling shorts
- 3-5 cycling shirts
- Long sleeve cycling shirt
- Long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
- Cycling socks
- Windbreaker
- Tights or leg warmers
- 2 pair cycling gloves
- Rain jacket & rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Warm layer
- Sunglasses
Camp clothing
- Camp shorts/shirts
- Warm socks
- Long underwear
- 2 pair warm long pants
- Fleece/sweater
- Pile or down jacket
- Warm gloves and hat
- Brimmed hat
- Bathing suit
- Hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Rain gear
Personal
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Towel
- Biodegradable soap
- Wet-wipes
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Optional day bag
- Stuff sacks
- Cash for tipping (10-20% of trip price)
Optional
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Favorite beverages
- Books
- Maps
- Portable USB charger
Need more information about our bike trips?
Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732.
Need more information about our bike trips? Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732
Gallery
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Western Spirit
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