Darby to Missoula

MT · Darby → Missoula

A copper king's timber line up the Bitterroot.

The Missoula & Bitter Root Valley Railroad was incorporated in 1887 and built south from Missoula, reaching Victor that year and Grantsdale in 1888. It was folded into the Northern Pacific system almost immediately. The line reached Darby in 1905.

The biggest customer was Butte copper king Marcus Daly. He came to the Bitterroot looking for timber to shore up his mines, founded the town of Hamilton around his sawmill, and built a famous horse-racing ranch nearby. Lumber and farm goods rolled north on this branch for decades.

Service was cut back over the years as the mills closed. Much of the old line is now overgrown or paved over at crossings, following the Bitterroot River — one of Montana's best fly-fishing rivers.

⚠️ Before you go: every railroad on this map is private property. A line that looks abandoned may still be owned by a railroad, used to store rail cars, or put back into service at any time — sometimes with no warning. Before going near any track, make sure it's truly abandoned (no recent use, rails not polished, no signals or cars stored on it) and that you're allowed to be there. Never assume a track is dead.

📷 Photos & stories from riders

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