LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST
Lewis and Clark National Forest consists of several tracts in northwest and west-central Montana, with one unit directly east of the Continental Divide. Included are parts of the Front Range, the Little Belt Mountains, and other ranges.
Elevations run from 4,500 feet to over 9,000 feet, with 9,362-foot Rocky Mountain Peak the highest point. Of special interest is the high rock Chinese Wall, which runs along the Continental Divide.
Along with precipitous peaks, rocky ridges, and steep-walled canyons, there are alpine meadows, grassy prairies, ponderosa pine forests, and numerous lakes, rivers, and streams. Wildlife includes elk, moose, deer, bear, and bighorn sheep.
The National Forest has two designated wilderness areas, consisting of about 300,000 acres of the 1,009,000-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana’s largest, and 84,000 acres of the 239,000-acre Scapegoat Wilderness.
Activities: Hiking and backpacking are possible on some 1,680 miles of trails, including a section of the Continental Divide Trail (see entry page 197). Difficulty ranges from easy to strenuous. Horseback riding is allowed on most trails.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are winter options on many trails. Rafting, canoeing, and kayaking are available in early summer on the Smith River, which borders a section of the National Forest. Fishing is also possible, and hunting is permitted in season.
Camping Regulations: Camping is allowed almost anywhere in the National Forest, as are campfires, except near developed areas or where posted otherwise. No permits are necessary.
For Further Information: Lewis and Clark National Forest, P.O. Box 869, Great Falls, MT 59403; (406)791-7700.
