Helena National Forest

Located in west-central Montana, the Helena National Forest surrounds Montana’s Capital City and offers close to one million acres of distinctive landscapes. The Forest is administered by District headquarters in Lincoln, Helena, and Townsend, with the Supervisor’s Office located in Helena.

Straddling the Continental Divide, the Helena National Forest is rich with natural and cultural resources. Its diverse topography and geology provides wonderful scenery and many recreational opportunities. The Forest's mountain ranges contain a wide diversity of plant and animal life. Native cutthroat trout and other fish species populate clear mountain lakes and streams. Evidence of past human use, ranging from ancient Indian cliff paintings to historic mining ruins, is everywhere.

The Scapegoat Wilderness occupies the far northwest portion of the Forest, about ten air miles north of the community of Lincoln, Montana. Nestled in the upper Blackfoot River drainage, Lincoln is a popular destination for big game hunting and snowmobiling, much of which takes place on the National Forest.

Almost eighty miles of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail stretch through the Helena National Forest, extending from the Scapegoat to the adjacent Deerlodge National Forest. Much of the area along the Divide is rich in mining history, and the town of Helena owes its origins to the discovery of gold in 1864. Numerous mining claims were patented over the years, and many of these private inholdings are now homesites. Managing this intermingled wildland/urban interface has become one of the Forest’s primary challenges.

Reaching across six counties, the Helena Forest provides considerable stimulus to the area’s economy while offering a host of recreational opportunities in close proximity to area residents. We are committed to providing quality visitor information, education, and community outreach programs. Forest employees work with a variety of agencies and conservation partners to accomplish these goals.

Helena National Forest
2880 Skyway Drive
Helena, MT 59602
(406) 449-5201