Over three million acres total, nearly a third of the Custer-Gallatin National Forest is completely undeveloped, a benefit of simultaneously being included in the Absaroka-Beartooth and Lee Metcalf Wilderness Areas. Though most of it lies in Montana, parts of this non-contiguous forest lies as far away as North Dakota.
As its proximity might lead you to believe, the Custer-Gallatin National Forest shares many geological and ecological features with Yellowstone National Park. Much of the plant life, animals, and even those signature thermal waters are found in both.
For example, the forest’s small population of Grey Wolves are natural transplants from Yellowstone, having migrated into the Custer-Gallatin after the wolf repopulation program spearheaded by the National Parks Department.
With towering mountains surrounded by vast grasslands, there’s a huge variety of topographies within the forest’s borders. Visitors will find there’s a lot to see and do, particularly for those interested in adventure tourism or extreme sports.
Custer-Gallatin National Forest Stats
- Size: 3 million+ acres
- Season: Year-Round
- Major Feature: Beartooth Mountains
- Campgrounds: 50+
Main Attractions in Custer-Gallatin National Forest
One of the most ecologically diverse regions of Montana, the Custer-Gallatin National Forest is in Yellowstone Country, bordering the national park. Within it, you’ll find similar geology and a number of unique ways to engage with the natural landscape.
Three Entrances to Yellowstone National Park
The first National Park in the United States, Yellowstone National Park can only be accessed via one of five guarded entrances. Three of them are in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest: the West Entrance at West Yellowstone, the North Entrance at Gardiner, and the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City.
Beartooth Highway
Dubbed one of the United States’ All American Byways, Beartooth Highway connects Cooke City, home to the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone, with Red Lodge. It passes through the Beartooth Mountains at elevations high enough to force it to close in the winter, so don’t plan on traveling along this byway between October and May.
Earthquake Lake
In 1959, a massive earthquake triggered a landslide that sent 80 million tons of material into the Madison river, blocking it. The resultant natural reservoir became known as Earthquake Lake. Today it is a popular recreation area with a visitors center.
Stay Overnight in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest
Cabins
The Forest Service maintains several cabins within the Custer-Gallatin National Forest that can be reserved by contacting the ranger station. They generally take reservations over a week in advance, though you can sometimes arrange last-minute stays by phone. Fees range from $40 to $100 dollars a night.
Diamond Butte Lookout • $45/night
Perched atop a 30-foot masonry tower is the Diamond Butte Lookout Cabin, known for it’s incredible views of the surrounding landscape. It’s not available in the summer – the Forest Service still uses it as a wildfire watch tower – but it can be reserved anytime between September and June.
West Bridger Station • $75/night
There’s a corral and a grazing pasture on site if you’ve brought horses. There’s no running water available, so you’ll have to filter or treat water sourced from the nearby West Bridger Creek if you haven’t brought enough supply for your stay. There is electricity and an electric cookstove, as well as a wood-burning stove for heat.
Mystic Lake Cabin • $65/night
While you can’t drive directly to the property, you can access Mystic Lake Cabin via a 5-mile trail that’s rated for intermediate hikers. There’s an additional route made for cross-country skiers that’s 10 miles if you’re visiting in the winter. Both can also be traveled by horse, and there’s a corral designed for two horses onsite.
Meyers Creek Cabin • $90/night
Eight miles east of Nye, the Meyers Creek Cabin was formerly a ranger station. It’s a great choice if you’re bringing the whole family as it sleeps six and has a bunch of amenities like electricity, heat, water, an indoor toilet and shower, and even a refrigerator and basic cookware in the kitchen. The Forest Service still uses this cabin several months of the year so you can only reserve it in the summer.
Beaver Creek Cabin • $65/night
Just outside of West Yellowstone near Lake Hebgen is the Beaver Creek Cabin. It’s a very simple one-room log cabin, and you’ll have to provide your own bedding though firewood is provided. It’s open all year, though winter access may require you to ski in or use a snowmobile. There’s a hitch rail for horses onsite.
Campgrounds
There are over 50 campgrounds within the Custer-Gallatin National Forest that are managed by the Forest Service, as well as nearby private facilities and those that operate with a permit from the USDA. They range in size and availability of facilities, though there are enough that you can likely find one to suit your needs within the particular region you’d like to visit.
Below you’ll find a sampling of campgrounds within the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, but you can also check out the complete list of campgrounds managed by the Forest Service.
Snowbank Campground – $20/night • Reservations Required
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