Just south of Glacier National Park across the Flathead River, the Flathead National Forest is home to several rugged wilderness areas, the Hungry Horse Dam and Reservoir, and part of the Rocky Mountain Range. It’s an extremely popular recreational area in Montana, with 2,800 miles of hiking trails alone.
Predominantly evergreen forests, you’ll find plenty of fir and pine trees, but lakes, grasslands, and meadows are also well represented in the region. Because it encompasses a portion of the Continental Divide, the range of elevation is quite vast, with this portion of the range containing both Scapegoat Mountain and the Chinese Wall: a 1000-ft-tall limestone escarpment that can take hikers several days to reach.
While you’ll find many animals typical in much of Montana – like white-tailed deer, mountain goats, and big-horn sheep – the Flathead National Forest is a particularly good place to see wolverines, beavers, and porcupines. Hikers especially should be reminded that this is still bear country, and bear spray is always a good idea to take along even on short hikes.
If you plan to visit, be sure you check with the Forest Service to determine whether you have all the necessary permits and passes. Within the forest, even something as seemingly inane as picking mushrooms or gathering firewood could be a punishable offense, so best to familiarize yourself with the regulations beforehand.
Flathead National Forest Stats
- Size: 4 million acres
- Season: Year-Round
- Major Feature: Flathead River
- Campgrounds: 25+
Main Attractions in Flathead National Forest
Though the Flathead National Forest encompasses several mountain ranges, vast wilderness areas, and a plethora of recreation areas, there are a handful of locations within it that are particularly beloved among Montanans. Here’s a brief outline of some of the most popular places in the region that you should keep on your radar.
Three Forks of the Flathead River
Inducted into the Wild and Scenic Rivers program in the late 60s, the three main forks of the Flathead River are both popular recreation areas and protected parts of Montana’s natural landscape. While visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, and white-water rafting along the Flathead River, everyone must follow the guidelines devised by the Forest Service to keep these areas pristine.
Summit Nature Center
Up at the Whitefish Mountain Resort in the lower level of Summit House is the Summit Nature Center, an educational and informational center with several exhibits about the local ecology. You can expect to see displays about the local animals, plant life, and forests.
Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex
Combining the Great Bear, Bob Marshall, and Scapegoat Wildernesses, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex is over 1.5 million acres and is the third-largest wilderness complex in the contiguous United States. Part of it lies within the Flathead National Forest and offers superb recreational opportunities like hiking, fishing, and camping.
Mission Mountains Wilderness
With high-mountain lakes and endless hiking opportunities, the Mission Mountains Wilderness has routes for outdoorspeople of all skill levels. No motorized vehicles are allowed within the wilderness whatsoever, including bicycles, so all of your exploring will have to be done on foot.
Jewel Basin Hiking Area
A 15,000-acre wilderness region within the Flathead National Forest, the Jewel Basin Hiking Area is reserved specifically for travel by foot and camping. It is an extremely popular recreation area famous for its wildlife, especially the excellent fishing. Though the hike to Birch Lake is the most popular, there are several Alpine lakes in the area that can be reached by traditional hiking trails or by ungroomed back country routes.
Stay Overnight in the Flathead National Forest
Cabins
The Forest Service maintains several cabins within the Flathead National Forest that can be reserved on Recreation.gov or, for last-minute reservations, by contacting the nearest ranger station. Fees range from $40 to $100 a night.
Mission Lookout Cabin • $45/night
On a 40 ft. tower high above the forest, the Mission Lookout Cabin may be only one room, but it has spectacular views of the Mission Mountains and a catwalk surrounding the cabin to enjoy them from. The cabin has a gas range and propane heat, though there’s no electricity or water.
Hornet Lookout Cabin • $40/night
Though it has 360º views of Glacier National Park and Kintla Lake from the top of Hornet Peak, Hornet Lookout doesn’t have many of the amenities that other cabins managed by the Forest Service have. It lacks water and electricity, though it does have a wood-burning stove for cooking and heat. The hike to the lookout is about a mile from the trailhead, so keep that in mind when you’re packing supplies. It’s closed from November until mid-June.
Anna Creek Cabin • $75/night
On the west side of Hungry Horse Reservoir sits the single-story Anna Creek Cabin, a rustic forest home that sleeps up to 12 people. It has running water and a full kitchen including both a range and an oven. Though it is open year round, reaching it in the winter will likely require a snowmobile or other over-snow travel.
Old Condon Ranger Station • $85/night
One of the more substantial cabins in the Flathead National Forest, the Old Condon Ranger Station sleeps up to 8 people between its three bedrooms and a fold-out couch in the living room. It has a full kitchen with a modern gas range, and both propane heat and a wood-burning stove.
Swan Guard Station • $70/night
The single oldest building in the Flathead National Forest, Swan Guard Station has been completely refurbished since it was originally built in 1909, though it retains its classic log cabin charm. Guest will need to provide their own bedding, food, and basic supplies, though there is a refrigerator, stove, and oven inside the cabin. Though there’s no running water indoors, there’s a hand pump outside where you can retrieve drinking water.
Campgrounds
