Bitterroot National ForestStraddling the Montana - Idaho border, the 1.6 million acres of the Bitterroot National Forest provides plenty to see and do. Half of the forest is dedicated to the largest expanse of continuous pristine wilderness in the continental U.S. The spectacular scenery includes the heavily glaciated, rugged peaks of the Bitterroot Range and includes two mountain ranges – the Bitterroot Mountains and the Sapphire Mountains. There is a great diversity of elevations within the forest, from 2,200 feet on the Salmon River to 10,157 feet at Trapper Peak. The vast varieties of ecosystems within the forest are home to many species of wildlife, including mountain lions, black bear, whitetail and mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, mountain goats, moose, and many smaller mammals and birds. There are lots of recreational opportunities for visitors, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, boating, rock climbing, rafting, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling , camping, and more. |