Snowy Mountain Range

The Snowy Mountains are the two farthest east of the island mountain ranges in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. South of Lewistown, Montana, they are primarily in Fergus County with smaller portions in Golden Valley County. The geographic area includes both the Big and Little Snowy Mountain ranges. The Snowies display prominent changes in elevation accentuated by surrounding grassland, high plains, and foothill savanna. 

The Big Snowy Mountains are a high, uplifted dome of sedimentary rocks reaching a height of 8,681 feet at Greathouse Peak, nearly 4,000 feet higher than the surrounding prairies. The eight-mile long spine of the Big Snowies runs east to west, averaging over 8,000 feet in elevation. Near the west end of the spine is the Big Ice Cave, and to the north is Crystal Lake Recreation Area, a popular camping and fishing area that is the main road access into the mountains and many non-motorized trails.

The Little Snowy Mountain range has a rich cultural history, beginning with first peoples then homesteaders. Today, large ranches maintain the open character of the area. Pine Grove Cemetery is a final resting place for early Euro-American occupants. The Little Snowy Mountains are separated from the Big Snowies by a subtle break in topography. They are semi-arid and dominated by grassy vegetation and partially forested with mostly ponderosa pine. The topography is rolling with slopes that are gentle or flat, except where creeks have dissected them. Creeks within the Little Snowies are small and often dry during the summer months. The major drainages are Willow Creek and the North Fork of Pole Creek, both of which drain south to the Musselshell River.

Bears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.