Flathead National Forest

Lying immediately south of Glacier National Park along the Continental Divide in northwestern Montana, the Flathead National Forest protects 2.4 million acres of some of the wildest and most ecologically intact landscapes remaining in the lower 48 states. The forest encompasses three major wilderness areas -- the Bob Marshall, Great Bear, and Mission Mountains -- which together form a continuous wilderness complex of nearly 1.5 million acres, often called "The Bob." This vast roadless expanse is one of the most significant wildland corridors in North America.\n\nThe forest supports some of the densest populations of grizzly bears, gray wolves, wolverines, mountain goats, and bull trout remaining in the contiguous United States. The three forks of the Flathead River are all designated Wild and Scenic Rivers, protecting over 200 miles of free-flowing waterways critical for native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout.\n\nThe forest offers backcountry experiences ranging from multi-day pack trips along the Chinese Wall -- a dramatic 1,000-foot limestone escarpment stretching 22 miles -- to day hikes in the Mission Mountains with views of Flathead Lake. Jewel Basin, a 15,000-acre hiking area with 35 alpine lakes, is among the most popular day-hiking destinations in Montana.