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Lolo 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.

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.

Overview

Lolo National Forest spans 2.3 million acres in western Montana, surrounding Missoula and bordered by Idaho to the west. The forest is currently open and accessible for recreation, though several localized closures are in effect as of December 2025. Recent weather events have caused damage to Ward Creek Road and Deer Creek Bridge on the Superior Ranger District, which are currently closed for public safety. The Stony Creek Cutoff Road (Road #5490) is also closed, and a portion of Plant Creek Road remains closed due to damage from the Miller Peak Fire. Fire danger is currently low (winter conditions), with no forest-wide fire restrictions in place. The forest is home to both black and grizzly bears, and mandatory food storage orders are in effect forest-wide—all food and attractants must be stored in bear-resistant containers or in a bear-resistant manner when unattended. The forest is undergoing Land Management Plan Revision, and the Wildfire Adapted Missoula (WAM) fuels management project is actively being implemented. Christmas tree permits are currently available for purchase online or at ranger stations. Several rental cabins and historic lookouts are available year-round. Always check current conditions, road status, and alerts before your trip as conditions can change rapidly.

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