Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
From Recreation.gov
Potable water at the outside hydrant has been restored. Water has been tested as safe yet has a mild sulphur taste. Parties sensitive to smell or taste should bring consumable water.
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 standards.
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.
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 (Flathe
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 standards.
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.
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 (Flathe
Current Avalanche Danger and Forecast
Avalanche Danger: Know before you go! Avalanche Forecasts at Flathead Avalanche Center
Trail 800 Tally-Ashely Closure
4.4 miles of National Forest System Trail 800 Tally-Ashley will be closed for public safety during logging activities starting 9/4/2025 - 9/1/2026 unless rescinded sooner.
Ryan Creek Occupancy and Use Order
From September 1, 2025 through December 1, 2026, unless rescinded, the following is prohibited in the Ryan Road area:Camping or otherwise occupying a site except where designated .
Logan Creek Hoke Creek Closure
NFS Road 1625 is closed between milepost 2.84 and 5.08 for public safety due to road substrate slumping. This closed segment is from the junction with Rd #9881 at milepost 2.84 to the end of Rd #1625 starting 8/13/2025 - 8/12/2027 unless rescinded sooner.
Water Vessel Prohibitions
Violating State water vessel safety and operation laws and regulations is prohibited on all Flathead National Forest waterways.
Deer Creek Road & Snowmobile Trail Closed on Superior Ranger District
Deer Creek Road #236 and Deer Creek Loop Snowmobile Trail (SNO-70.1) 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 standards.
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.
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.
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.
Madison Ranger District 8325A and 8325B Roads Closure
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest ServiceBeaverhead-Deerlodge National ForestMadison Ranger District
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 fir
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.
Top Campgrounds
- Alice Creek Dispersed Site
- BEAVER CREEK DISPERSED SITE
- Cave Mountain Campground
- Copper Creek Campground
- Cromwell Dixon Campground
- Dry Wolf Cabin
- Dry Wolf Campground
- Ear Mountain Cabin
- Elko Campground
- Granite Butte Lookout
- Green Gulch Dispersed Camp Campground
- Hunters Spring Cabin
- Indian Meadows Guard Station
- Jellison Place Campground
- Kading Campground
- Lost Horse Cabin
- Many Pines Campground
- Mill Falls Campground
- Moose Creek
- Moose Creek Cabin
- Moose Creek Campground
- Nevada Creek Cabin
- Park Lake Campground
- Quigley Group Use
- Richardson Campground
- Thain Creek Campground
- West Fork Campground
- West Fork Cabin
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