Founded in 1898 and encompassing the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains, the Bitterroot National Forest is a federally protected region that is mostly located in western Montana but extends into eastern Idaho.
It is home to three distinct wilderness areas where virtually any development is prohibited, as well as several recreation areas, campgrounds, and trails.
The terrain in the region is predominantly mountainous, but grasslands proliferate lower elevations, many of them leased to private ranchers for stock. But as the hills climb into mountain peaks, the landscape is taken over by several species of evergreen trees, mostly Lodgepole Pine and Douglas Fir.
The forest is home to some of the densest animal populations in the region outside of Yellowstone, including even some great mammals like black bears, mountain goats, white-tailed deer, and even a small grizzly bear community. Though hunting is allowed, seasons are highly regulated by season and limited to only certain species.
This natural landscape lends itself to a myriad of activities, from hiking to horseback riding to Alpine skiing. If you’re at all a fan of the great outdoors, you’re sure to find something to entice you to visit the Bitterroot National Forest.
Bitterroot National Forest Stats
- Size: 587 million acres (642,236 ha)
- Season: Year-Round
- Major Feature: Bitterroot Mountains
- Campgrounds: 20+
Main Attractions in Bitterroot National Forest
While visitors frequent most corners of the Bitterroot National Forest, there are some regions and sights within it that attract more visitors than others. If it’s your first time there, you may want to keep some of these popular features and attractions on your radar when planning your excursion.
Blodgett Canyon
Carved into the eastern foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains, the glacially carved Bitterroot Canyon begins near the Idaho Montana border, continues through Blodgett Lake and along Blodgett Creek to the Bitterroot Valley.
Outdoor enthusiasts of all types visit the canyon for hiking, fishing, and horseback riding, but climbers in particular frequent the region. There are several excellent opportunities for rock climbing throughout the canyon, but the south face of Flathead Buttress is legendary for its nearly 1200 ft climb.
Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Partially contained within the Bitterroot National Forest, the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness straddles the Idaho/Montana border. Dominated by tall granite peaks and surrounded by dense evergreen forests, it’s one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the United States.
Trapper Peak
The highest peak in the Bitterroot Mountains, Trapper Peak is over 10,000 feet tall. You can climb it via the Trapper Peak trail, an 8-mile climb up its eastern face beginning from Troy Creek Road
Historic Darby Ranger Station Visitor’s Center and Museum
Between May and October, the Friends of Darby Historical Center operates a small but mighty museum in the now restored former home of the Darby Ranger Station. The museum also serves as a visitors center where you can find maps, permits, and information about the surrounding wilderness and forests.
The Discover Bitterroot Store
In the lobby of the Forest Service office in Hamilton is the Discover Bitterroot Store where you can find educational books, maps, and even stuffed animals of local Montanan fauna. All the proceeds from the store benefit conservation efforts in the area.
Stay Overnight in the Bitterroot National Forest
Cabins
The Forest Service maintains several cabins within the Bitterroot National Forest that can be reserved by contacting the nearest ranger station. They generally take reservations a week or two in advance, and fees range from $30 to $100 a night.
Gird Point Lookout • $30/night
11 miles east of Hamilton is the Gird Point Lookout, a historic viewpoint cabin surrounded by the Pintler, Sapphire, and Anaconda mountains. Although there’s no electricity or running water, propane is provided for cooking and lighting.
Wood’s Cabin • $100/night
With three bedrooms and a huge common space large enough for 15 people, this historic cabin on the north shore of Lake Como is perfect for a group outing. The cabin has two wood stoves and a woodshed stocked with firewood for guests to use.
East Fork Cabin • $50/night
Originally used as a guard station as far back as 1914, the East Fork Cabin is just near the east fork of the Bitterroot River. Though it’s a small, one-room cabin, it sleeps up to eight people. Anglers especially love the location, as the region is renowned for its excellent fishing.
McCart Lookout • $30/night
Set atop McCart Peak, just east of Sula, McCart Lookout is a one-room cabin that sleeps eight people. Sandwiched between the Pintler and Bitterroot mountain ranges near McCart Peak, the cabin has electricity, a stove stocked with propane, and an outdoor picnic area.
Medicine Point Lookout • $30/night
Between the east and west forks of the Bitterroot River just west of Sula is the Medicine Point Lookout. Formerly used for forest fire watch, this one-room cabin sleeps four and has both a wood and a propane stove, though you’ll have to pack in your own water.
Twogood Cabin • $30/night
Located a mile down Porcupine Creek off the Warm Springs Creek Trail, Twogood Cabin is a former range line cabin that has been converted to accept visiting hikers. The cabin sleeps up to eight people and has both a wood and a propane stove, though you’ll have to provide your own propane. Water can be sourced from the nearby Porcupine Creek, though you’ll have to treat it before you drink it.
Magruder Ranger’s House • $100/night
A former ranger station on the Selway River, the Magruder Ranger’s House is a two-story, five-room cabin that sleeps up to six people. The Forest Service provides propane and wood for the stoves and there is running water that services an indoor bathroom with a shower. The road leading directly to the cabin is drivable, so it’s a great option for those who don’t care to hike in.