Ninemile Ranger Station

The Ninemile Ranger District is located approximately 25 miles west of Missoula in the beautiful Ninemile Valley. Because of its proximity to Missoula, the district offers the unique opportunities to residents and visitors in the Missoula area.

The district encompasses 360,000 acres of National Forest System lands ranging from 3,000 feet to 7,000 feet in elevation with vegetation that varies from Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests in warm dry settings to Lodgepole pine and mixed conifer at higher elevations. The climate is dry, mid-continental with summer day temperatures reaching the 90’s and evening temperatures averaging in the 60’s. Winter temperatures range from below zero on the coldest days to the mid-40’s on warmer days. Precipitation averages 10-13 inches per year. Western Montana does experience a maritime influence in its weather patterns with clouds and limited precipitation.

The Ninemile Ranger District Office is in Huson, Montana, at the Historic Ninemile Remount Depot. The administrative site is a working ranch, headquarters for the Northern Region Pack Train and Ninemile Wildlands Training Center as well as for the Management of Government Animals Program which boards up to 200 head of Forest Service stock during the winter months. The district is known for providing dispersed and backcountry recreation opportunities that include, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing and trail access (motorized and non-motorized) for all public land users.