About the Area
Welcome to the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
The scenic Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (HLF) stretches nearly 2.9-million acres across central and north-central Montana. The Forest is comprised of 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. The Forest also manages the celebrated Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls.
The Forest plays an important role in local economies across central Montana by providing forest products, mining, grazing, recreational use, and clean water for downstream agricultural uses and municipalities. The forest also contributes to the sense of place for residents and visitors. Forest Service and other public lands are especially important to local Montanans and is highly valued for premier hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities that support the state’s largely rural economy and culture.
The Forest provides local communities with opportunities to connect with nature and learn about the history and cultural significance of the area through public information, interpretation, and education services. These programs enrich the quality of life of participants. Annually, approximately 80,000 youth and adults take part in Forest programs and volunteer opportunities. The Forest also provides essential safety information to local communities affected by wildfires and work to mitigate fire hazards for communities adjacent to Forest Service managed land.
Over 500,000 acres of the 2.9 million-acre Forest are designated wilderness areas, including portions of the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness Areas and the entire Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area. Additionally, approximately 50% of the Forest is allocated as inventoried roadless areas (IRA). These IRAs, when combined with designated wilderness areas, provide for vast landscapes that allow for a more primitive recreation experience.
'Heart of Montana'
As the capital of Montana, Helena provides a wide variety of activities. Helena has a rich history, wide variety of cultural events and is surrounded by the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest as the beautiful backdrop. As the gateway to the Rocky Mountain Front, Great Falls provides excellent recreational and cultural opportunities such as the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
Some of the opportunities available in the Helena area
- Montana State Capitol
- Gates of the Mountains
- Last Chance Gulch
- Canyon Ferry Lake and Dam
- Endless opportunity for boating, fishing, hiking, biking, running, kayaking, snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing
- Rich mining history
- Mount Helena trail system
Some of the opportunities available in the Great Falls area
- Gateway to the Bob Marshal Wilderness
- Located on Highway 89 between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park
- Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- River's Edge Trail along the scenic Missouri River
- Endless opportunity for fishing, hiking, biking, running, kayaking, snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing
- C.M. Russell Museum
Communities within the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Area
These smaller communities provide unique cultural and recreational opportunities.
Mountain Ranges within the Helena Lewis & Clark:
- Big Belt Mountains
- Castle Mountains
- Crazy Mountains
- Divide Landscape
- Elkhorn Mountains
- Highwood Mountains
- Little Belt Mountains
- Rocky Mountain Range
- Snowy Mountains
- Upper Blackfoot Landscape