Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

06/12/2026

The Summit Nature Center is opening for the summer this Saturday! Visit Wednesday through Saturday, 10am - 3pm.

The Summit Nature Center is filled with hands-on wildlife exhibits that will fascinate visitors of all ages. Kids can sign up for the Junior Ranger program, and families can take part in ranger-led "discovery walks" each morning or afternoon. There's no better way to discover what makes our mountain ecosystem special. Huge thank you to our partnership with Whitefish Mountain Resort for making this learning opportunity possible.

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

Download FREE maps for your next National Forest adventure!

With over 165,000 miles of trails, these maps work offline and include trail information, topographic features, and nearby picnic, fishing, cabins and campground opportunities.

06/09/2026

Work is officially underway on a new bunkhouse in Stanford!

This project is an important step toward providing housing for our seasonal staff who keep the Jefferson Division running— responding to fires, and maintaining outhouses, trails, and campgrounds across the Highwoods and Little Belt mountains.

06/09/2026

Firewood permits for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are now available for free through a new online E-Permit system: https://epermits.fs2c.usda.gov/forest/0115

Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/newsroom/releases/firewood-permits-helena-lewis-and-clark-national-forest-now for more info!

06/05/2026

Last Thursday staff and partners joined together for a ribbon cutting at Falls Creek Campground to celebrate this new developed site on the forest. Thanks to the hard work of our recreation and engineering staff, and the partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the site now features five fully accessible campsites, day use parking, two stock corrals, river access and opens access to 25,000 acres of public land and trails on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District.

Tomorrow is ! Where will you be getting out to this weekend? Check out our website for inspiration in planning your trip or download the new Forest Service app: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/maps/mobile-app

06/05/2026

We are thrilled to announce the lineup for this year’s FREE Summer Walk Series!

Our partner organizations have planned a variety of engaging walks that explore the landscapes, history, wildlife, and stories that shape our community. These experiences offer a chance to deepen your connection to the places we all enjoy while learning how we can work together to steward and protect them for future generations.

Registration for each walk opens two weeks prior to the event date. To view walk locations, learn more about each program, and register, visit: https://www.register-ed.com/programs/montana/241-summer-walk-series

We hope you'll join us for another season of learning, exploration, and connection on our public lands!

Prickly Pear Land TrustHelena Field SchoolMontana Fish, Wildlife & ParksMontana Department of Environmental QualityMontana Discovery FoundationHolter Museum of ArtMontana Historical SocietyLCCo Water Quality Protection DistrictLewis and Clark Conservation DistrictHelena-Lewis and Clark National ForestHelena Parks and RecreationExplorationWorks

06/04/2026

The Helena Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Missoula Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management jointly received a proposed plan for mineral exploration activities from Falcon Copper Corporation.

The proposed Plan for the Blue Copper Project includes exploration drilling operations and geophysical surveys. The intent of the proposed exploration effort is to better define the extent and characteristics of mineral occurrences within the project area. Locatable minerals of primary interest include copper, gold, silver, tungsten, germanium, and gallium.

Visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/projects/303864 to learn more about this project and how to comment.

06/03/2026

05/28/2026

🔥Wildfire and Initial Attack Update 5/28🔥

🔥Jericho Creek- Helena Ranger District. The fire remains at approximately 2,068 acres and is 41% contained.

Fire behavior has moderated and crews continue to work on securing containment lines. Some smoke will be visible as pockets of heavy fuels inside the perimeter continue to burn.

A cooler weather pattern with rain will move into the area this weekend and fire behavior is expected to be minimal.

Resources assigned to the fire include one hotshot crew, one dozer, two masticators, one excavator, one water tender, two Type 6 engines, two suppression modules, and a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) module.

Fire vehicle traffic will continue to be present on Telegraph and Hahn Creek roads. The public is asked to avoid this area as well as the Continental Divide area south of MacDonald Pass to Minnehaha/Bryon Creek Road.

Fire information can also be found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/mthlf-jericho-creek.

🔥Moose-Helena Ranger District. This .10 acre lightning caused fire was discovered this morning and is contained.

🔥Copper Creek Fire-Lincoln Ranger District. This .10 acre lightning caused fire was discovered on 5/27 and is contained.

🔥Keep Cool Fire-Lincoln Ranger District. This one acre lightning caused fire was discovered on 5/27. A helicopter was used yesterday for water drops and today crews are working on saw line and hand line around the fire perimeter.