Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho
Northern and Intermountain Regions Salmon Wild and Scenic River: Occupancy and Use
This order enacts visitor use restrictions for activities within the 80-mile-long wild segment of the Salmon Wild & Scenic River corridor, including a one-quarter mile buffer from the river, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan (November 2003).
Northern and Intermountain Regions Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
This order implements visitor use requirements for activities within the Restricted Area and on the Restricted Trails, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan (November 2003).
Annual Mill Creek Area Climbing Closure
The Stevensville Ranger District is reminding everyone of the annual climbing closure in the Mill Creek area to allow for nesting of cliff-dwelling raptors. The closure will start February 1st of each year and continue until it has been determined that no raptors are nesting in the area or until…
Bitterroot National Forest Food Storage Order
The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety and wildlife by minimizing human-bear interactions.
Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
Order 01-15-00-25-01: Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness Restrictions
Occupancy and Use and Trail Restrictions for the entire Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, as well as trail, stock, and camping restrictions on Our Lake Trail and lake area (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), beneath the Chinese Wall (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), and Castle Creek Riverside Campsite (Flathead…
West Fork Dry Creek Road and Trails 274 and 572 Closure
Road and trail access in the West Fork Dry Creek area is closed through Nov. 30, 2026, due to hazardous blowdown. Only authorized personnel and exempt landowners may enter.
East Fork Big Creek Road & Trail Closure- Superior Ranger District
Due to recent weather, East Fork Big Creek Road (Forest Service Road 428) is closed from milepost 1.35 junction with 16046 (lodgepole) to milepost 1.85 seasonal gate closure turnaround. This closure is for public health and safety due to hazardous conditions resulting from flood and wind damage…
Forest, Regional and Other Regulations
Welcome to the Lolo National Forest As a visitor to the national forests, you must follow certain rules to protect the forest and natural environment, and to ensure your health and safety.Forest and Regional RegulationsAll bear attractants, including any type of food and garbage, must be stored in…
Deer Creek Road & Snowmobile Trail Closed on Superior Ranger District
Deer Creek Road #236 and Deer Creek Loop Snowmobile Trail (SNO-70.1) on the Superior Ranger District are closed due to flood and wind damage to the road, bridge crossing, and trail.
Ward Creek Road Closure- Superior Ranger District
Due to the recent weather event a portion of the Ward Creek Road is closed. For your health and safety please avoid travel in this area.
Overview
The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is one of the largest wilderness areas in the contiguous United States at 1.3 million acres, straddling the Bitterroot Mountain Range along the Idaho-Montana border. It's the third largest wilderness in the Lower 48. The wilderness is open year-round but managed across four national forests (Bitterroot, Clearwater, Nez Perce, and Lolo) and seven ranger districts. No permits are required for wilderness access except for floating the Selway River (May 15-July 31, permit required). Standard wilderness regulations apply: no motorized equipment, bicycles, or hang gliders; group size limited to 20 people and 20 stock; 16-day camping limit per location (5-mile radius); campfires prohibited within 1/4 mile of Gem and Middle Lakes. Weed-seed-free feed is required for stock. The terrain is extremely rugged with elevations ranging from 1,600 to over 10,000 feet (Trapper Peak). Many trails are not regularly maintained—expect difficult conditions, unpredictable weather, and challenging stream crossings. Access is primarily from US Highway 93 (Montana side) and US Highway 12 (Idaho side). The Magruder Corridor provides a primitive one-lane road between the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church-River of No Return wildernesses, suitable only for high-clearance vehicles. Leave No Trace principles are strongly emphasized.
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