About Us

Located in west-central Montana, the Helena National Forest surrounds Montana’s Capital City and offers close to one million acres of distinctive landscapes. The Forest is administered by District headquarters in Lincoln, Helena, and Townsend, with the Supervisor’s Office also located in Helena. [click here for map]

The Scapegoat Wilderness occupies the far northwest portion of the Forest, about ten air miles north of the community of Lincoln, Montana. Nestled in the upper Blackfoot River drainage, Lincoln is a popular destination for big game hunting and snowmobiling, much of which takes place on the National Forest. On his return trip from the Pacific Ocean in 1806, Meriwether Lewis followed an ancient Nez Perce trail, the Cokalarishkit, which parallels the Blackfoot River before crossing the Continental Divide in the Alice Creek area. [click here for more on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail]

Almost eighty miles of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail stretch through the Helena National Forest, extending from the Scapegoat to the adjacent Deerlodge National Forest. Much of the area along the Divide is rich in mining history, and the town of Helena owes its origins to the discovery of gold in 1864. Numerous mining claims were patented over the years, and many of these private inholdings are now homesites. Managing this intermingled wildland/urban interface has become one of the Forest’s primary challenges. [Fireplan Link]

The Big Belt Mountain Range lies east of Helena, extending south to Townsend. The Gates of the Mountains Wilderness area is situated on the north end of the Big Belts and takes its name from the distinctive cliffs along the Missouri River noted in the journals of Lewis and Clark. Much of the Big Belts are dissected by rugged limestone canyons and provide scenic enjoyment for hikers and motorists.

South of Helena, the Elkhorn Mountains are home to the only designated Wildlife Management Unit in the National Forest System. The mountain range is managed cooperatively with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Deerlodge National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management to optimize wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.

Reaching across six counties, the Helena Forest provides considerable stimulus to the area’s economy while offering a host of recreational opportunities in close proximity to area residents.

We are committed to providing quality visitor information, education, and community outreach programs. Forest employees work with a variety of agencies and conservation partners to accomplish these goals. One partner, the Helena Forest Foundation, was established in 1999 to conserve and enhance natural resources on the Helena National Forest and surrounding areas. The Foundation focuses on education efforts to improve wildlife habitat, watershed health, and to promote responsible outdoor recreation ethics.

USDA Forest Service - Helena National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 16 May 2007 at 11:38:27 EDT