Darby Ranger District

The Darby Ranger District, based in Darby, Montana, sits at the heart of the Bitterroot National Forest and offers exceptional access to the southern Bitterroot Valley’s signature landscapes.

Private lands in the valley naturally divide the district into two distinct areas. To the east, visitors can explore scenic foothills that rise into the dramatic Sapphire Divide and the renowned Sapphire Wilderness Study Area. To the west, the terrain quickly shifts into the rugged canyons of the Bitterroot Range, much of it protected within the Selway‑Bitterroot Wilderness.

The Darby Ranger District hosts the forest’s highest level of developed recreation use, thanks to its close proximity to Ravalli County communities and the popularity of Lake Como—one of the Bitterroot’s most visited destinations. The Lake Como area features three developed recreation sites, a sandy beach, an accessible trail and picnic area, a rental cabin, and a boat dock and launch, drawing visitors from across the region, including Missoula and neighboring Idaho. Other notable developed recreation opportunities include Black Bear Campground, Schumaker Campground, Lost Horse Cabin, and the historic Gird Point Lookout.