Trails wander through the conifer forest, and above the timbered hillsides rise rocky crags with high mountain lakes in the valleys. Camping, hiking, snowmobiling and horseback riding are the favorite uses of the area, with over 89 miles of trails provided. Little and Big Therriault Campgrounds provide campsites and there are many popular sites for backcountry camping.

Wild animals are common, ranging from white-tailed and mule deer to black and grizzly bear. Smaller pika can be seen in the rock cairns above many of the lakes. A wide variety of high mountain birds make their summer home there.

Ten Lakes Scenic Area was designated by the Regional Forester in 1964. There is also a Wilderness Study Area (WSA) that was created by Congress in 1977 under the Montana Wilderness Study Act. All of the Scenic Area is within the WSA. Most of the WSA and some acres adjacent to it were recommended for Wilderness by the Forest Service in 1985 after they completed the study mandated by the Wilderness Study Act.