Drives Montana Helena, Great Falls and Central Montana
Kings Hill Scenic Byway: US-89
US 89 · Armington → White Sulphur Springs
The drive
Kings Hill Scenic Byway is US 89 across the Little Belt Mountains in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The drive runs south from Armington, near Belt, so the road follows the canyon up through Monarch and Neihart before it tops out at Kings Hill Pass, the high point at 7,400 feet.
Showdown ski area sits just south of the pass, with a 1,400-foot vertical drop and 34 runs. Past the pass the road drops toward the Smith River valley and ends at White Sulphur Springs. It's a gentle road, mostly easy curves, and the climb is steady rather than steep: about 5,200 feet of it over 73.9 miles.
Along the way
- Armington (near Belt)
- Monarch
- Neihart
- Kings Hill Pass (Showdown)
- White Sulphur Springs
Good to know
- Snow crews work to keep the pass open through the winter, so carry chains and check conditions in cold months.
- Gravel roads branch off the highway to trailheads, campgrounds and old mines; they aren't part of this drive.
Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Montana 511 Travel Information.
Questions about this drive
How long does the Kings Hill Scenic Byway take to drive?
Armington to White Sulphur Springs on US 89 is 73.9 miles and takes about 1 hr 20 min.
Is Kings Hill Pass open in winter?
Snow removal crews work to keep Kings Hill Pass on US 89 open through the winter. It isn't on Montana's list of seasonally closed roads, but check 511 before a winter drive.
How twisty is US 89 over Kings Hill Pass?
It's mostly gentle curves, rated Leisurely, with a steady climb of about 5,200 feet to the 7,400-foot pass.
What you get in the app
Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.
More drives near here
Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.