Lewis and Clark National Forest

Lewis and Clark National Forest is comprised of approximately 1.9 million acres of land that is located in west-central Montana. The forest is accessible through three main routes including US 12, US 87, and US 89. Several towns and cities surround the forest some of which include Great Falls, Augusta, Choteau, Stanford, Harlowton, and White Sulphur Springs. 

The Lewis and Clark National Forest was established on February 22, 1897, and is managed by the United States Forest Service. The forest is managed as two separate sections or zones including the eastern sections under the western Rocky Mountain Division, and the Jefferson Division. 

The Jefferson Division is mainly comprised of island pockets of forested areas, and a mixture of shrublands and grass. Some of these areas have been leased to cattle ranchers and tree loggers. The western Mountain Division is mainly managed as environmental preservation, and most of the land here is designated as protected wilderness. This section is also comprised of six distinct mountain ranges.

When visitors get to Lewis and Clark National Forest, they can get to experience a wide range of fascinating features including part of the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and also the famous Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Other attractions to the park include the wide array of amenities including five cabins, visitor center, picnic sites, scenic drives, two ski areas, trails, 14 boat camps, and 29 campgrounds. 

These facilities attract visitors to enjoy several exciting and relaxing activities including fishing, camping, canoeing, rafting, hunting, boating, swimming, snowmobiling, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, ORV riding, downhill and cross-country skiing. Dogs are allowed into Lewis and Clark National Forest although it is expected that dogs and their owners adhere to strict forest rules. 

Some of these rules that apply in the Lewis and Clark National Forest include, for example, dogs are not allowed to venture into all areas of the forest. As such, dog owners should know the areas of the forest that they can and cannot visit. For areas of the forest that dogs can visit, dog owners are expected to keep their dogs on a six-foot leash.