What to Carry on a Remote Montana Ride
A remote Montana ride can turn from a relaxed morning outing into a long wait if a tire goes flat, weather rolls over a ridge, or your group loses the route. Cell service can disappear quickly outside town, and help may be far away. This guide covers what to carry on an ATV or UTV ride so you can handle common problems and make safer decisions.
Plan for a Remote Montana Ride Before You Leave
Check the route, access, and conditions
Start with the route, not the gear pile. Confirm that the roads and trails you plan to use are open to your machine, and check current access information before driving to a trailhead. A route that looks straightforward on a screen may include a gate, seasonal closure, private land, a narrow trail unsuitable for a wide side-by-side, or a junction that is easy to miss. For help planning, see [Reading a Montana Motor Vehicle Use Map] and [Checking Montana Trail Status Before You Drive].
Use a navigation tool such as onX Offroad to review the route, but download or save the information for offline use before leaving reliable service. Look for trail junctions, fuel gaps, water crossings, elevation changes, and possible turnaround points. If the route passes near the Flathead National Forest, the Gallatin Range, or the Beartooth area, conditions can change with elevation and weather. A sunny forecast in town does not guarantee a dry, warm afternoon higher up.
Tell someone who is not riding where you are going, which trailhead you are using, who is in your group, and when you expect to check in. Give them a clear instruction about when to contact authorities if you have not checked in. A vague message like “we’ll be out all day” is less useful than a planned route and return window.
Build a plan that still works when the ride changes
Choose a turnaround time before starting. It is easy to keep riding when the trail is fun, especially if the group is making good progress, but the return leg still takes time. Set a firm point at which you turn back, even if you have not reached the planned destination. That buffer matters if a machine develops a problem or a storm makes the trail slower.
Agree on simple group rules before anyone puts on a helmet. Decide who leads, who stays behind the last rider, where the group will stop at junctions, and what to do if someone gets separated. Keep the group together rather than letting faster riders disappear around bends. On narrow two-track, the person in front should stop at confusing intersections and wait until everyone has caught up.
A saved route is a useful backup, not a substitute for judgment. If signs, closures, weather, or ground conditions do not match your plan, stop and reassess rather than pressing on because a GPS line continues ahead. A paper map can help when a device fails, while a written route summary gives the group another way to confirm where it intended to go.
Carry Navigation and Communication Backups
Use more than one way to find your way
Carry a fully charged phone with an offline map, but do not treat it as your only navigation device. Cold, impact, water, battery drain, or a cracked screen can make a phone unreliable at the exact moment you need it. A dedicated GPS, a second phone stored safely, or a paper map can provide a backup. Keep devices in a protected case and bring a charging cable and a power bank suited to the conditions.
Before you leave, check that your planned route is actually available offline. Open the saved map while you still have service, inspect the route, and confirm that the phone can locate you. If you use onX Offroad, download the relevant map area ahead of time and know how to switch between the route and your current location. Do not wait until you are parked at a remote trailhead to discover that the map did not save.
A paper map is especially helpful for the larger picture: identifying nearby roads, drainage areas, trailheads, and possible exits. It may not show every current closure, so pair it with up-to-date access information. Store it where it can be reached without unloading the machine or exposing it to rain.
Plan for no cell signal
In many backcountry areas, a phone may show no service for much of the ride. That does not mean the phone is useless: it may still work as an offline map and can sometimes reach emergency services when a compatible network is available. But do not build your safety plan around being able to call from every location.
For rides where a delayed rescue could become serious, consider carrying a satellite messenger or other two-way emergency communication device. Learn how it works before the trip, check its battery, and make sure the people in your group know where it is and how to use it. A device buried under tools or locked in an unattended glove box is not much help when someone needs it.
| Item | What it helps with | Before leaving |
|---|---|---|
| Phone with offline maps | Navigation when mobile data is unavailable | Download maps and charge the phone |
| Paper map or route notes | Backup orientation and route confirmation | Mark the planned route and exits |
| Power bank and cable | Extending device battery life | Check charge and cable fit |
| Satellite messenger | Sending a message or emergency alert beyond cell coverage | Test it and review the operating steps |
| Whistle or signal light | Getting attention nearby | Pack where it is easy to reach |
Give every rider a basic sense of the route, not just the person carrying the GPS. If the lead rider gets separated, the rest of the group should know the last confirmed junction and the agreed regrouping point. Read [Cell Service in the Montana Backcountry] and [Carrying a Satellite Messenger in Montana] for more on planning around communication gaps.
Pack for Breakdowns, Injuries, and Changing Weather
Carry repair gear that fits your machine
A remote ride is not the place to discover that your group has no way to deal with a simple puncture. Carry a tire repair kit and a method of reinflating the tire that works with your ATV or UTV. Bring basic hand tools matched to the machine, along with spare fuses, zip ties, tape, and any small parts you know are prone to loosening or breaking. Check the owner’s manual for machine-specific recommendations.
The right repair kit depends on the vehicle. A side-by-side may need different tools and tire equipment from a small ATV, and a tire plug kit is not a universal solution for every tire or type of damage. Practice using your repair gear at home, where you can take your time and confirm that you have the right fittings. If you are unsure how to make a repair safely, do not improvise a fix that could cause a crash or damage the machine further.
Keep tools secured so they do not bounce around, and make sure the person expected to use them can find them. A quick inventory before leaving can prevent the familiar trailhead scramble of opening every compartment while the group waits. For longer routes, review [Fixing a Flat 60 Miles From the Nearest Shop] and [Recovery Gear for a Montana Shelf Road].
Bring recovery gear, but know when not to use it
A basic recovery kit may include appropriately rated straps, gloves, and equipment designed for your machine and likely conditions. Carry only gear you understand. A strap attached to an unsuitable point, a damaged line, or a poorly planned pull can injure someone or damage a vehicle. Read your machine’s manual, inspect recovery points, and talk through a safe plan before anyone is stuck.
Do not assume that a winch makes every situation safe. A machine on a steep, unstable slope, near a drop-off, or in deep water may be beyond what your group can recover safely. Keep people away from loaded straps and winch lines, and stop if the recovery setup is shifting or the ground is giving way. In some situations, securing the area and waiting for trained assistance is the safer choice.
A small first-aid kit should be easy to reach, not buried beneath recovery gear. Include supplies for cleaning and covering minor wounds, blister care, and any personal medication a rider may need. At least one person should know where the kit is and how to use its contents. For a remote ride, consider how you would keep an injured rider warm and protected while arranging help, without moving them unnecessarily if a serious injury is possible.
Dress for a weather change, not just the parking lot
Montana weather can feel very different between a valley and a higher trail. Pack a warm insulating layer, a waterproof outer layer, and dry gloves or socks when conditions call for them. A rain shell is useful even when the morning starts clear. Choose clothing that protects against wind, dust, and brush while still allowing you to move comfortably and operate the machine.
Bring eye protection and a helmet that meets applicable requirements for the ride. Dust can make goggles or a face shield uncomfortable, so carry a way to clean them. A neck covering or buff can help with dust and wind, and a spare pair of gloves can make a cold or wet ride more manageable. Keep spare layers in a dry bag instead of loose in an open cargo area.
Do not overlook sun and cold exposure. Sunglasses or tinted eye protection, sunscreen, and lip protection can matter on a bright day, while a hat and warm layer help during stops. A rider who feels fine while moving may get cold quickly after a breakdown or injury. [What to Carry on a Remote Montana Ride] is a useful companion checklist for thinking through the realities of a long backcountry day.
Carry Food, Water, and Essentials for Every Rider
Pack more water and food than the planned ride seems to require
Carry enough drinking water for each person, with extra for delays, heat, exertion, or a longer-than-planned return. Do not assume that streams or springs along the route are safe to drink from without treatment. A water filter or other suitable treatment method can be useful on longer outings, but it is not a reason to start with an inadequate supply.
Pack food that is easy to eat during a short stop and will not become unusable if the day runs late. Snacks with a mix of energy and substance are more helpful than relying on one candy bar or a shared lunch. Keep food secured from wildlife and follow the applicable storage rules where you camp or stop. Read [Riding Safely in Grizzly Country] and [Food Storage at a Montana Trail Camp] if your route includes time in bear country.
Make sure each rider carries personal essentials, even if the group has shared supplies. A person who gets separated should not be left without water, a snack, basic first aid, or a way to identify the route. For children or riders who are less experienced, check that their pack is comfortable and that they know how to use what they are carrying.
Keep the essentials accessible and protected
Use separate, clearly organized bags for first aid, repair equipment, clothing, and food. Put urgent items—such as a phone, whistle, water, and personal medication—where they can be reached without unloading cargo. Protect electronics, maps, and spare clothing from rain, mud, and dust. Make sure cargo is secured so it cannot shift into a moving part or fall onto the trail.
Carry identification and any documents or permits required for the route. If you are not sure what applies to your planned ride, check the relevant land manager and local requirements before leaving. [What Montana Riders Need Before They Ride] and [Montana Permit Rules on Public Land] offer useful starting points for understanding riding requirements.
Before departure, do a quick group check: everyone has water, a warm layer, eye protection, and the ability to navigate or contact the group. Then check the machine itself—fuel, tires, lights, brakes, and secure cargo. A few minutes spent checking can prevent a frustrating turnaround or a preventable problem miles from the trailhead.
Use a practical final checklist
Rather than packing every tool you own, match your load to the route, weather, machine, and group. A short ride near a busy trailhead has different needs from a full day on remote forest roads. A passenger, a young rider, or someone with a medical condition may need additional supplies. The goal is to prepare for foreseeable problems without making cargo so heavy or awkward that it affects safe handling.
Use this checklist as a starting point:
- Navigation device with offline maps and a backup map.
- Charged communication device and a plan for areas without service.
- Drinking water, extra food, and personal medication.
- Helmet, eye protection, suitable layers, and weather protection.
- First-aid kit, whistle, and light or signal device.
- Machine-specific tools, tire repair supplies, and a way to reinflate.
- Appropriate recovery equipment and gloves.
- Identification and any required riding documents.
- A route plan shared with someone at home, including a check-in time.
The most useful kit is the one you have checked, can reach, and know how to use. Revisit it when the group, machine, season, or route changes. For a September ride in the high country, extra warmth may be more important than it was on a mild July outing near town. For a route with long distances between services, communication and repair planning deserve extra attention. Make those choices before the ride, not after the first problem.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
