Maps: Central Ranges Region

The Central Ranges Region is the heart of Montana—where the Continental Divide threads its way through the center of the state and lies in close proximity to the communities of Butte, Deer Lodge, Helena, Wolf Creek, Lincoln and Great Falls. Nestled within the soaring mountains and deep canyons of this region are the Big Belt Mountains, the Elkhorn Mountains, and the southern portions of the Rocky Mountain Front and the legendary Bob Marshall Wilderness country.

This region also includes the Little Belt, Highwood, Big Snowy, Little Snowy, Castle and Crazy Mountains which are often described as island ranges floating in the sea of the Northern Plains. These islands on the prairie are home to diverse communities of plants and animals in a landscape that ranges from lush forests to dry parks and deep canyons to high peaks. Altogether these island ranges include over 20 roadless areas, two Wilderness Study Areas, and the most primitive and scenic segments of the Smith River.

Remote and restful settings still exist in these island ranges, but with the expansion of roads and motorized trails the opportunity for a traditional backcountry experience is gradually being lost. In all of the island ranges, trail use is heavily weighted toward motorized vehicles—leaving fewer opportunities for non-motorized recreation. The one exception is the Big Snowy Wilderness Study Area, which remains largely motor-free.

Montana Wilderness Association can support the appropriate use of motorized vehicles on public land, but there need to be places where motorized vehicles are not allowed. MWA negotiated a winter travel agreement in the Big Snowies in 2004 with the Montana Snowmobile Association and two associated snowmobile clubs. Fundamental to the agreement was the creation of large blocks of land for snowmobile use as well as large blocks of land for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and wildlife. An attempt was also made to negotiate an agreement for summer use with motorized vehicle groups, but the effort was unsuccessful because the groups were unwilling to accept any large blocks of lands where OHVs were not allowed.

Montana’s island ranges are unique and special, and deserving of permanent protection—yet there is no designated Wilderness in any island range. It is our hope that someday portions of these island ranges will be included in the National Wilderness Preservation System.

This diverse landscape contains portions of the Lewis and Clark, Helena and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and is home to numerous roadless areas. Straddling the Continental Divide are the Anaconda Hill, Stemple-Flesher, Crater Mountain, Nevada Mountain, Black Mountain, Little Blackfoot Meadows, Mormon Gulch and Whitetail-Haystack roadless areas.

Gates of the Mountains Wilderness and the historic Sheep Creek and Sleeping Giant areas lie just a few miles north of the capitol city of Helena. The Corps of Discovery followed the Missouri River on their journey westward in 1805, and named the cliffs above the river “The Gates of the Mountains.” The explorers camped and hunted below the Sleeping Giant, and a portion of this area is now included in the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

The Big Belt Mountains dominate the landscape east of Helena and include the Devils Tower, Middleman-Hedges, Hellgate, Cayuse, Camas Creek and Mount Baldy roadless areas. The Belts contain a fascinating jumble of open parks, cliffs, rockslides and small streams, and offer endless opportunities to hikers seeking early-season treks.

To the south, on Helena’s doorstep, are the Elkhorn Mountains, which contain one of the largest unprotected tracts of wildland in Montana. The Elkhorns provide winter range to a variety of big game species.

These broad landscapes support an abundance of wildlife. Wild species include grizzly and black bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, mule and whitetail deer, lynx, and wolverine—to name just a few. The Central Ranges Region offers endless opportunities to explore rugged mountain peaks, historic landscapes, glacial cirques filled with gem-like lakes, and steep-sided forested valleys.

Montanans have long advocated for permanent protection for these roadless landscapes and are hard at work on campaigns to protect them as Wilderness.

You can get involved in this region by contacting the Island Range Chapter (Great Falls) or the Wild Divide Chapter (Helena), and joining us on a Wilderness Walk.

Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Big Snowy Mountains Wilderness Study Area, Middle Fork of the Judith River Wilderness Study Area, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Helena National Forest and Lewis and Clark National Forest can be found in this region. For more information check Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas and National Forests.

More information about the Sleeping Giant/Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Campaign and Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership can be found at Campaigns.