Wilderness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness on the Custer-Gallatin National Forest.

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

is an enormous and rugged expanse of high-elevation country, sprawling across the Custer Gallatin National Forest, as well as portions of the Shoshone National Forest.  Speckled with a myriad of pristine lakes, the delicate tundra of the Beartooth plateau is broken by bold and jagged peaks. Further west, the Absaroka Range is equally wild and rugged, yet with a different nature. Thick forests, high mountain meadows, and streams lie below the open ridges along the backbone of this range.  More:  Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (wilderness.net)

Lee Metcalf Wilderness

to the west, is divided into four separate units in the Madison Range. The Custer Gallatin and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests, as well as the Bureau of Land Management, share landownership. The areas consists of wild canyon country along the Madison River, forest and meadow areas filled with wildlife, razor-like ridges leading to glacially carved peaks, and alpine lakes and meadows. More:  Lee Metcalf Wilderness (wilderness.net)

Traveling in the Wilderness

Planning a wilderness trip can be exciting but should also be done with care and proper preparation.  Many jaunts wheather day trips or multi-day adventures involve risk and challenge. 

If you prefer not to tackle a trip on your own, many commercial outfitters and guides lead trips into the wilderness, under permit by the Forest Service. 

Please be aware of the wilderness regulations for hiking and stock before entering the wilderness area.

Permits are not required for backcountry camping on the Custer Gallatin Forest, but leave no trace principles should always be followed.  Leave No Trace.