MT 83 starts at the intersection with MT 200 at Clearwater Junction, about  east of Missoula, and runs north-northwesterly, mostly through broad, forested valleys and along scenic lakeshores within the Lolo National Forest, Flathead National Forest and Swan River State Forest, before curving west to its northern terminus at MT 35 about  north of Bigfork.
MT 83 originates from Clearwater Junction, where it intersects with MT 200, approximately east of Missoula. From there, it travels northwest through a scenic route that passes through broad valleys and along lakeshores within the Lolo National Forest, Flathead National Forest, and Swan River State Forest. It then turns west to reach its northern endpoint at MT 35 near Bigfork.