Day Hiking

Day Hiking Areas

• Anaconda Pintler Wilderness
• Butte-Jefferson Ranger Districts

  Located at the Headwaters of the Columbia River Basin, the continental divide surrounds Butte offering a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities for motorized and non-motorized enthusiasts.

  Camping, hiking, hunting and fishing are a few of the more popular activities that attract visitors to the Butte-Jefferson Ranger Districts. Blue ribbon trout fishing is found on the Big Hole River, Jefferson River, and smaller streams throughout the districts.

  Trail enthusiasts and rock climbers are drawn to the spectacular scenery and challenge of the granite outcrops found in the Homestake areas east of Butte. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail traverses the forest and provides excellent hiking, horseback and mountain bike riding opportunities just minutes from Butte from several trailheads. Thompson Park and Sheepshead Recreation Area provide picnicking and trail opportunities that include portions of the Milwaukee Road in Thompson Park. High mountain peaks and lakes in the Tobacco Root Mountains provide spectacular vistas over 10,000 feet.

  Off-highway vehicle enthusiasts can find fun and excitement at the Whitetail-Pipestone Area east of Butte. The area boasts miles of OHV routes that provide a challenge to both novice and experienced riders.

• Beaverdam Campground and Picnic Area
• Homestake Picnic Area
• Lowland Campground and Picnic Area
• Sheepshead Recreation Area
• Thompson Park
• Dillon Ranger District

  This southernmost district has several campgrounds, picnic areas, and even a rockhounding (crystals) area.

• Birch Creek Cabin
• Dinner Station Campground and Picnic Area
• Horse Prairie Cabin
• Reservoir Lake Campground and Picnic Area
• Jefferson Ranger District

  This ranger district is in the northeast corner of the forest. Located near two major highways, there are many campgrounds and picnic area to choose from on this district making them a nice place to stop along your journey.

  Please be "Bear Aware" and check out our Bear Country Safety information before you recreate on the Madison Ranger District. We want you and the bears to enjoy the forest!

• Lee Metcalf Wilderness
• Madison Ranger District

  Madison Ranger District is the easternmost district on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and surrounds the town of Ennis on three sides. Campgrounds, picnic areas and fishing access recreation areas are available on this district.

  Please be "Bear Aware" and check out our Bear Country Safety information before you recreate on the Madison Ranger District. We want you and the bears to enjoy the forest!

• Bear Creek Cabin
• Bear Creek Campground and Picnic Area
• Black Butte Cabin
• Branham Lakes Campground and Picnic Area
• Cliff Point Campground
• Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area
• Hilltop Campground
• Mill Creek Campground
• Potosi Campground and Picnic Area
• Vigilante Cabin
• Wade Lake Campground and Picnic Areas
• Wall Creek Cabin
• West Fork Cabin
• Pintler Ranger District

  This district is in the northwest portion of the forest and surrounds the town of Philipsburg. With over 20 campgrounds/picnic areas/fishing accesses there's plenty to do in this area!

  Georgetown Lake Cross-Country Ski Trail Map 2013

• Cable Mountain Campground
• Copper Creek Campground
• Crystal Creek Campground
• Stony Cabin
• Stony Campground
• West Fork of Rock Creek Cabin
• Wisdom Ranger District

  This district is on the western edge of the forest near the town of...you guessed it...Wisdom.

• Gordon Reese Cabin
• Hogan Cabin
• May Creek Cabin
• May Creek Campground
• Miner Lake Campground
• Mussigbrod Campground
• Steel Creek Campground
• Twin Lakes Cabin
• Twin Lakes Campground
• Wise River Ranger District

  At the heart of the forest, this district has several campgrounds, picnic and other recreation areas to explore.

• Boulder Creek Campground
• Canyon Creek Cabin
• Canyon Creek Campground
• Lodgepole Campground