The highway travels through mainly rural areas in Raynolds Pass, from the Montana–Idaho state line to an intersection with U.S. Route 287 (US 287).

The highway proceeds northward, intersecting a small road before entering rural areas within Gallatin National Forest.

[6] On October 9, 1922, a road in the general location of MT 87 was added to the Montana State Highway system.

[1]: 137  By at least 1924, an auto trail known as the Banff Grand Canyon Road ran along the highway in the general location of MT 87.

[7] The next year, the highway had been given a graded dirt surface, and was designated as part of the Great White Way auto trail, as well as the Banff Grand Canyon Road.

[10] By 1951, the highway had been reconstructed generally along MT 87's present location, and it had been upgraded to an improved gravel road.

[12][13] In 1962, the portions of the highway from the southern terminus to present-day milepost 8.395 were reconstructed along the current location.