Maps: Southwest Region

Southwest Montana is a sparsely populated region that is remarkable for its landscape and biological diversity. This is where three great ecosystems come together: the Northern Great Basin, the Northern Shortgrass Prairie, and the Rocky Mountains. The region is home to most of Montana’s “charismatic” wildlife species, including the gray wolf and grizzly bear, and has the state’s highest percentage of rare plants. Because of its cold climate and strong ranching economy, the area is a bastion of “Old Montana,” and has thus far been spared the rampant development common in areas like the Bitterroot and Gallatin valleys. The region is blessed with a vast public land base, including the largest National Forest in Montana, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge (at 3.2 million acres), and almost 900,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management lands.

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest—the “B-D”—has more unprotected roadless areas within its boundaries—1.9 million acres worth—than any Montana forest. These pristine locales contain ecosystems that exist almost nowhere else in the National Wilderness Preservation system—unique “boundary zones” where grasslands blend with dry forests, creating rich ecotones of flora and fauna.

These landscapes are critical not just to plants and wildlife, but to the local culture and economy. The West Big Hole, Anaconda-Pintler ranges, and West Pioneer and East Pioneer roadless areas are vital for snowpack retention, supplying pure water to the arid low country in summer. Three world-class trout streams are born high in the snowfields of these wildlands: the Beaverhead River, the Big Hole River, and Rock Creek. Local ranchers depend on this high-quality water for irrigation, and anglers rely on the health of wild trout fisheries made possible by the cold, clear snowmelt. All of the roadless wildlands in the region are enjoyed by traditional foot-powered and animal-powered recreationists. The pursuit of trophy elk in the high country is a cherished ritual for many residents, a tradition stretching back over generations. Snowshoeing, backcountry fishing, skiing and hiking are also popular and are important to the area’s quality of life. The contribution to the local economy from outfitters, guides, restaurants, motels and shops associated with outdoor recreation is significant.

The Italian-Lima Peaks, straddling the Continental Divide on the Idaho-Montana border, are another noteworthy wild area. These roadless lands, along with BLM Wilderness Study Areas in the Centennial Valley, constitute what may be the only viable corridor for grizzly bears traveling out of Yellowstone towards the Selway-River of No Return Wilderness complex in central Idaho. Local conservationists regularly observe the rare wolverine in these isolated wildlands.

The primary threat to unprotected wilderness in Southwest Montana is motorized recreation. The explosive growth of ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles), motorbikes and snowmobiles presents the most immediate danger to native plants, wildlife and quiet recreation. But there is hope. A growing base of citizens has become fed up with the noise, trespassing, noxious weeds, eroded trails, wildlife harassment, ruined hunting trips and pervasive litter that often accompany off-road machines. There is a place for motorized recreation on public lands, but not in landscapes deserving of Wilderness designation.

You can get involved in this region by contacting our Madison-Gallatin Chapter, Turn on JavaScript! or joining us on a Wilderness Walk.

The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Red Rock Lakes Wilderness, West Pioneer Mountains Wilderness Study Area and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest are found in this region. For more information check Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas and National Forests.

More information about the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership can be found at Campaigns.