Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

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.