Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
R1-2024-01 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…
R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. It also…
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…
Gold Creek Road Closure - Missoula Ranger District
Due to recent weather Gold Creek Road 126 is closed at the mile 7 gate. This temporary closure will continue until the already scheduled seasonal closure that begins April 1. This closure will prevent road and resource damage resulting from early spring conditions.
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.
R1-2024-01 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…
R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. It also…
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
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited annually from March 1 to December 1 on the National Forest System (NFS) lands within the Bitterroot National Forest, described further below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as…
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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