USA 250 Shirt →
Cf
Login
Montana › Cascade County

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Air Quality Alert issued August 11 at 8:15AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

8:15 AM — August 12th, 9:00 AM

AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, Granite, Madison, Park, Flathead, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, and Silver Bow counties in effect until 9AM on 08/12/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 8AM on 08/11/2026, particulate levels in Missoula are Unhealthy. As of 8AM on 08/11/2026, particulate levels in Dillon, Frenchtown, Great Falls and Hamilton are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 8AM on 08/11/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Butte, Choteau, Columbia Falls, Cut Bank, Helena, Lewistown, Libby, Malta, Thompson Falls and West Yellowstone are Moderate. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us

Air Quality Alert issued August 11 at 8:15AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

8:15 AM — August 12th, 9:00 AM

AQAMT The Air Quality Alert for Broadwater, Sweet Grass and Yellowstone Counties has been cancelled. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at www.todaysair.mt.gov

Flathead 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

Overview

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest spans 2.8 million acres across central and north-central Montana, comprising island mountain ranges bisected by the Continental Divide and Missouri River. The forest is currently open with 6 ranger districts (Lincoln, Helena, Townsend, Judith-Musselshell, Rocky Mountain, and Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs). A December 2025 windstorm recently caused hazards across the forest—numerous trees are down across trails and roads, and weakened trees may fall at any time, requiring extra caution. Key closures include the South Hills trail system near Helena through December 2025, and Forest Service Road #8998. Regional food storage orders are in effect across the NCDE (Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem) area and north half of the Crazy Mountains to prevent bear habituation. The forest offers 28 reservable cabins and group campsites through Recreation.gov, typically available 6 months in advance. The Forest Service is also moving forward with an expansive prescribed fire project to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health. Christmas tree permits became available December 2025, many permits are free and available online.

Campgrounds

Aspen Campground Aspen Grove Group Use Area Att Cabin Bar Gulch Cabin Benchmark Campground Benchmark Packer Corrals Calf Creek Cabin Cave Mountain Campground Copper Creek Campground Coulter Campground Cromwell Dixon Campground Crystal Lake Campground Crystal Lake Group Campsite Cummings Cabin DRY WOLF GROUP CAMP Double Falls Campground Dry Wolf Cabin Dry Wolf Campground Eagle Guard Station Ear Mountain Cabin Elko Campground Falls Creek 998 (trailhead And Campgroun Gipsy Lake Campground Granite Butte Lookout Grasshopper Campground Green Gulch Dispersed Camp Campground HANNAN DISPERSED Hay Canyon Campground

Community Posts

No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!