Helena Lewis & Clark National Forest
Helena Lewis & Clark National Forest spans Montana from the Great Falls region south to the Madison Valley, offering high alpine lakes, coniferous forests and long-distance trails.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Western United States |
| Subregion | Northern Rockies |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Lewis and Clark County |
| District | Lewis and Clark National Forest |
| City | Helena |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 47 |
| Longitude | -112 |
| Maps |
7:13 PM LOCAL TIMEHelena Lewis & Clark National Forest covers approximately 4,300 square kilometers in central Montana, straddling the divide between the upper Missouri River and plains valleys. Named for the famed Corps of Discovery route, the forest features open ponderosa pine and fir forests, high-elevation glacial lakes — notably in the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas — and tributaries like the Sun River and Blackfoot River. Visitors come for multiday hikes, wildlife viewing (deer, Ursus americanus, Aquila chrysaetos), fishing, and mountain biking; summer signals access to trailheads and alpine crossings, while winter offers snowmobiling and cross-country routes. Whether passing through on a cross-Montana drive or planning a weeklong trek, Helena Lewis & Clark rewards outdoor explorers with its rugged scale, varied terrain, and proximity to regional gateways—most notably Helena and Great Falls.
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