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 commences at the intersection with MT 200 at Clearwater Junction, approximately east of Missoula, and proceeds north-northwestward, primarily traversing broad, forested valleys and along picturesque lake shores within the Lolo National Forest, Flathead National Forest, and Swan River State Forest, before bending west to its northern terminus at MT 35 about north of Bigfork.