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Welcome to the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest!
Endless exploration
With 2.8 million acres of public land spread across mountain ranges from the Continental Divide to the eastern edges of central Montana, your favorite place is out there!
About Us
The scenic Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest stretches 2.8-million acres through central and north-central Montana. The Forest is comprised of island mountain ranges bisected by the Continental Divide and Missouri River and includes 6 ranger districts: Lincoln, Helena, Townsend, Judith - Musselshell, Rocky Mountain, and Belt Creek - White Sulphur Springs and 2 Forest Supervisor's offices located in Helena and Great Falls to oversee forest management in 17 counties.
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Recent News
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Prescribed fire planned on Rodney Ridge Tuesday, September 19
Release Date: Sep 18, 2023
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Prescribed fire planned on the Helena and Lincoln ranger districts
Release Date: Sep 15, 2023
Features
Be Bear Aware!
The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is home to both black and grizzly bears, and provides important habitat for bears and other wildlife to use throughout the year. Learning about bears will help you become a more knowledgeable visitor to the forest, and will help keep both you and bears safe while sharing the woods.
Protecting Our Forests and Communities
Message from Forest Supervisor Emily Platt on the importance of working with partners to reduce expensive and severe wildfires through hazardous fuels mitigation work.
Spotlights
Recreation in the Dry Fork of Belt Creek Drainage
Learn about precautions to take when recreating near abandoned mines
Do Not Move Firewood
Montana has suitable habitat for harmful forest pests and therefore prohibits the transport of firewood from most US states and Canadian provinces where invasive species are present.
Holter Lake-Gates of the Mountains River Recreation Plan
Review the coordinated draft management plan for the Holter Lake-Gates of the Mountains Recreation Area on the Missouri River.
Plant Biodiversity Flickr Set
Visit our Flickr album featuring the plant biodiversity of the Helena-side of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
