Custer Gallatin National Forest

Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness

This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.

Weed Free Forage Products

The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.

Occupancy and Use Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to protect the public health and safety in the Rocky Mountain Region. This Order is supplemental to and does not rescind or replace those restrictions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A, or any Forest Supervisor Order issued under 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart B.

Cave Closure and Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.

Over-Snow Vehicle, Road and Trail Prohibitions

Shoshone National Forest - Wind River Ranger District

Hard-Sided Camping Equipment Requirement

Shoshone National Forest - Wapiti Ranger District

Restrictions to Camping, Food and Attractant Storage

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety and wildlife by minimizing human-bear interactions. March 1 - December 1, Annually

Pack Goat Restrictions

Shoshone National Forest

Dunoir Closure Order

Shoshone National Forest - Wind River Ranger District

Occupancy and Use Restrictions

Shoshone National Forest - Wapiti Ranger District - North Fork Highway (U.S. Highway 14-16-20)

Over-Snow Vehicle Area, Road, and Trail Prohibitions

Shoshone National Forest - Greybull Ranger DistrictDecember 1 - April 30, Annually

Over-Snow Vehicle Area, Road, and Trail Prohibitions

Shoshone National Forest - Greybull Ranger DistrictJanuary 1 - June 20, Annually

Over-Snow Vehicle Area, Road, and Trail Prohibitions

Shoshone National Forest - Washakie Ranger District

Restrictions to Activities in the Sleeping Giant Ski Area and Pahaska Nordic Ski Area

Shoshone National Forest - Wapiti Ranger District - Sleeping Giant Ski Area, Pahaska Nordic Ski AreaNovember 15 - May 1, Annually

Acts Prohibited in Wilderness Areas

Shoshone National Forest - Wilderness Areas

Winter Storm Warning issued February 9 at 1:49PM MST until February 9 at 5:00PM MST by NWS Billings MT

1:49 PM — 5:00 PM

* WHAT...Heavy snow with areas of blowing snow. Total snow accumulations between 10 and 20 inches. Winds gusting 30 to 40 mph. * WHERE...Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains. * WHEN...Until 5 PM MST this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Recreation in the high country will be impacted by heavy accumulating snow. Travel could be very difficult to impossible between Mammoth and Cooke City. Widespread blowing snow could produce near whiteout conditions at times.

Winter Weather Advisory issued February 9 at 1:18AM MST until February 9 at 5:00PM MST by NWS Riverton WY

1:18 AM — 5:00 PM

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 11 inches south and east of the Lower Loop of Yellowstone National Park. Isolated higher amounts up to 16 inches are possible over the highest terrain. Total accumulations of 3 to 7 inches along the Upper Loop and northern portions of the Lower Loop. Accumulations of 1 to 3 inches near Mammoth. Gusty 20 to 35 mph winds are expected. * WHERE...Yellowstone National Park. * WHEN...Until 5 PM MST this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The period of heaviest snowfall is forecast to occur through 11 AM Monday with snow rates up to 1 inch per hour possible, especially over higher terrain.

Winter Weather Advisory issued February 9 at 1:18AM MST until February 9 at 5:00PM MST by NWS Riverton WY

1:18 AM — 5:00 PM

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 11 inches. The highest elevations of the southwest Absaroka Mountains could see totals up to 15 inches. Wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph with occasional gusts as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Absaroka Mountains. * WHEN...Until 5 PM MST this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow accumulations of 6 inches or greater will likely be confined to elevations above 8,500 FT ASL. Snow accumulations of 0.5 to 4 inches for elevations below 8,500 ft ASL. The period of heaviest snowfall is forecast to occur through 11 AM Monday with snow rates up to 1 inch per hour possible across higher terrain.

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

From Recreation.gov

There is limited firewood available at the Deer Creek Cabin. Please plan accordingly. Call district at 406-222-1892 for further information.

Overview

Custer Gallatin National Forest is open and encompasses over 3 million acres of diverse terrain stretching across Montana and into South Dakota, spanning seven ranger districts and serving as a critical part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Fire danger is currently LOW across all districts. The forest operates under a mandatory food storage order forest-wide—critical for bear safety in this bear country. Current notable restrictions and closures include: Glacier Lake Road (NFSR #2421) closed seasonally through late spring 2026; West Fork Fire area road/trail closure through December 31, 2025; a permanent pallet possession ban on Bozeman Ranger District to protect resources; and the Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area under over-snow vehicle restrictions per court order. Prescribed burns are planned October 2025 through May 2026 across districts. Recent severe storms caused trail damage in the Bridger Range, with Truman Gulch Trail partially closed. Recreational target shooting is permanently prohibited in Hyalite Creek Drainage. The forest offers extensive recreation from wilderness areas (Absaroka-Beartooth) to numerous campgrounds and rental cabins. Headquarters are in Bozeman with additional offices in Billings. Winter users should check avalanche conditions and note that some trails have seasonal bike/wheeled vehicle restrictions.

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