About the Area
The 2.3 million-acre Lolo National Forest in west central Montana is one of ten national forests in Montana. Created in 1906, the Lolo National Forest includes former national forests originally named the "Cabinet," "Hell Gate," "Missoula," and "Selway" National Forests.
Located west of the continental divide, the Lolo National Forest is influenced by both continental and maritime climates, which provide for a wide range of environmental gradients, producing a forest of high diversity. Diverse ecosystems range from wet, western red cedar bottoms to high alpine peaks, and forests of alpine larch and white bark pine. These diverse ecosystems are home for 17 conifer and five hardwood tree species, more than 300 bird species, at least 20 fish species, more than 60 mammal species and an estimated 1,500 plant species, including 250 non-native plant species.
Within the Lolo National Forest, are record-sized trees, the Montana Champion ponderosa pine located in the Fish Creek drainage and a national co-champion western larch near Seeley Lake. Elevation ranges from less than 2,400 ft. on the Clark Fork River below Thompson Falls to many peaks over 7,000 ft. and topping out at over 9,000 ft. at Lolo Peak near the town of Lolo. Water is plentiful within the Lolo NF producing over 100 named lakes and nearly 1,000 named streams including five major rivers.
The Forest manages the lands for multiple uses including forestry, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, fisheries management, special forest products gathering, wilderness and natural areas management all of which help contribute to the local and regional economy. The Forest includes lands within parts of Mineral, Missoula, Sanders, Granite, Powell, Lewis and Clark, Flathead and Ravalli counties.
The Forest has a deep connection with communities that creates a sense of ownership and commitment to this natural place. Landscapes rich in history with abundant wildlife and accessible wildlands provide a backdrop for diverse trail-based day-use recreation that is an everyday way of life for many people.
About 1.2 million people visit the Lolo National Forest annually.
We manage as “one forest” with two zones and five ranger districts. The east zone includes the Missoula Ranger District, Ninemile Ranger District and Seeley Lake Ranger District. The west zone includes the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District and Superior Ranger District. The Supervisor’s Office is co-located with the Missoula Ranger District in Missoula.
Please visit the Offices page to learn more about the Ranger Districts and areas they manage.