Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
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
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 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.
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
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.
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
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.
R1-2025-02 Use of Vehicles Off Road
Use of vehicles off road prohibition for the Nez-Perce Clearwater and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and Dakota Prairie Grasslands.
Delmoe Lake Area/Road Closure
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest ServiceBeaverhead-Deerlodge National ForestButte Ranger DistrictArea/Road Closure
Elkhorn Mine Area and Road Closure
The purpose of this Order is for public safety, the mill site is unstable with heavy metals in the soil and the adit area is flooded with falling rock at the portal entrance.
Use of Vehicles Off Road
Possessing or using a vehicle off National Forest System Roads is prohibited on all National Forest System lands on the Nez-Perce Clearwater and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and Dakota Prairie Grasslands.
Road/Trail Prohibitions, Off-Road Prohibitions in Recommended Wilderness Areas
This order describes the off-road prohibitions in Recommended Wilderness.
Annual Food Storage Order
Food storage order is in effect annually from March 1 to December 1 on the National Forest System (NFS) lands within the Beaverhead- Deerlodge and Bitterroot National Forests.
Pallet Prohibition Order Butte Ranger District
The following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Butte Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest: possessing or storing any material containing nails, screws, or other metal hardware, including wood pallets and construction debris, that could be used as…
Anaconda Pintler Wilderness Restrictions
A package of restrictions for the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Area on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Bitterroot National Forests regarding travel and camping with stock, campfires, group size, and mandatory party/individual registration.
Winter Storm Warning issued April 15 at 2:20PM MDT until April 17 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches at lower elevations and mountain passes, with 10 to 15 inches in the mountains. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to midnight MDT Thursday Night. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult and tire chains may be required for some vehicles. Falling and or blowing snow may significantly reduce visibility. Those in the backcountry should ensure they are prepared for dangerous conditions.
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 15 at 2:20PM MDT until April 16 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches. * WHERE...Madison River Valley. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to 6 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Slushy snow covered roads may make travel difficult, especially Thursday morning. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes.
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 15 at 2:20PM MDT until April 16 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches near Big hole and Chief Joseph Passes. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Northwest Beaverhead County. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Slushy snow covered roads may make travel difficult. Falling and or blowing snow may significantly reduce visibility. Those in the backcountry should ensure they are prepared for dangerous conditions.
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 15 at 1:30PM MDT until April 17 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Pocatello ID
* WHAT...Snow expected above 6500 feet elevation. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 11 inches. Snow below 6500 feet elevation will accumulate 2 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Centennial Mountains - Island Park and Bear River Range. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 14 at 11:53AM MDT until April 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
* WHAT...Snow expected. There is a likelihood of moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches for Lolo and Lost Trail Passes, with 7 to 14 inches above 6,000 feet in the higher terrain. * WHERE...Highway 93 Sula to Lost Trail Pass and Lolo Pass. * WHEN...From 3 PM Wednesday to 9 AM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...For MODERATE winter weather impacts, expect disruptions to normal activities. Hazardous traveling conditions. Use extra caution while driving. Closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes, especially over higher passes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...An elevated risk exists for snow squalls to produce poor visibility and gusty winds as the front arrives late Wednesday afternoon into the evening.
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 14 at 11:53AM MDT until April 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
* WHAT...Snow expected. There is a likelihood of minor to moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations up to two inches, with 6 to 14 inches above 6,000 feet in the Swan and Mission Mountains. * WHERE...Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough, I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth, and Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon. * WHEN...From 6 PM Wednesday to 9 AM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Winter traveling conditions. For MINOR winter weather impacts, expect a few inconveniences to normal activities. Use caution while driving. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning commute, especially over higher passes.
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 14 at 11:53AM MDT until April 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
* WHAT...Snow expected. There is a likelihood of moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches above 5,000 feet, including area mountain passes. Total snow accumulations of up to 2 inches in lower elevation valley areas. * WHERE...Highway 93 Lost Trail Pass to Gibbonsville, Lemhi Pass, Williams Creek Summit, Salmon, Shoup, Highway 28 Tendoy to Lone Pine, and Bannock Pass. * WHEN...From 6 PM Wednesday to 9 AM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...For MODERATE winter weather impacts, expect disruptions to normal activities. Hazardous traveling conditions. Use extra caution while driving. Closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes, especially over higher passes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...An elevated risk exists for snow squalls to produce poor visibility and gusty winds as the front arrives Wednesday evening across mountain pass areas.
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 14 at 11:53AM MDT until April 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
* WHAT...Snow expected. There is a likelihood of moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, with 3 to 7 inches expected above 7,000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston, Georgetown Lake, MacDonald Pass, Butte, and Homestake Pass. * WHEN...From 6 PM Wednesday to 9 AM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...For MODERATE winter weather impacts, expect disruptions to normal activities. Hazardous traveling conditions. Use extra caution while driving. Closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes, especially over higher passes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...An elevated risk exists for snow squalls to produce poor visibility and gusty winds as the front arrives Wednesday evening.
Overview
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is Montana's largest national forest, open year-round for recreation. Current key alerts include: active fire closures in the Madison Ranger District due to the Cloudrest and Bivens Creek Fires (Noble Creek Road/NF-8300 closed at forest boundary as of September 2025); annual food storage order in effect March 1-December 1 for bear country compliance; Thompson Park area closed for camping and fires; Elkhorn Mill and Mine area closed due to safety hazards (unstable ground, heavy metals, falling rock). The Butte Ranger District has a pallet prohibition order banning materials with metal hardware due to fire risk. Off-road vehicle use is prohibited on all NFS roads forest-wide. The forest offers wilderness areas (Anaconda-Pintler, Lee Metcalf), scenic byways, alpine lakes, campgrounds, and diverse recreation opportunities including timber, grazing lands, and mineral resources.
Top Campgrounds
- Antone Cabin
- Basin Canyon Campground and Picnic Area
- Bloody Dick Cabin
- Cable Mountain Campground
- Copper Creek Campground
- Cottonwood Campground
- Delmoe Lake Campground
- Doney Cabin
- Gordon Reese Cabin
- Horse Prairie Cabin
- Lodgepole Campground
- Lowland Campground
- May Creek Campground
- Miner Lake Campground
- Mussigbrod Campground
- North Van Houten Campground
- Notch Cabin
- Philipsburg Bay Campground
- Pigeon Creek Campground
- Piney Campground And Boat Launch
- Reservoir Lake Campground
- Sacajawea Memorial Picnic Area
- South Van Houten Campground
- Toll Mountain Campground
- Twin Lakes Cabin
- Vigilante Cabin
- Warm Springs Campground
- Whitehouse Campground
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