Lost Horse Canyon

According to early accounts, Lost Horse Creek in the Bitterroot National Forest earned its name in the spring of 1881, when a group of prospectors attempted to ford the swift, swollen creek during high water. Tragically, one of their horses was swept downstream and drowned. In the aftermath, the men referred to it as the "lost horse creek"—and the name endured.

Visitors today exploring Lost Horse Creek—whether driving Lost Horse Road, hiking the trails, fishing, or camping beneath the mountain sky—can reflect on the human stories embedded in the landscape. A seemingly simple creek name honors a moment of hardship and loss from the frontier years of the Bitterroot region.

Explore the many destinations within Lost Horse Canyon, from Schumaker Campground and the scenic Twin Lakes to the historic Lost Horse Guard Station. Adventurers can head out on trails leading to Fish Lake, Bailey Lake, Bear Creek Pass, Wahoo Pass, or East Fork Moose. Lost Horse Canyon features rugged, glacially carved crags and granite walls, a wide variety of flora and fauna, many types of water features, and breathtaking scenery—an ideal place to relax with family and friends amid the beauty of the Bitterroot National Forest.