Explore a National Forest

Montana is home to seven national forests totaling nearly 20 million acres. This vast, open space has come to define the Montana experience, and no trip to the state is complete without exploring these public lands. Many of these national treasures can be found in the western half of the state, from the Kootenai to the Custer-Gallatin. At least five national forests are within a short drive of Missoula, where the University of Montana is located. The city is surrounded by the Lolo National Forest.

Residents and visitors can enjoy backyard access to adventure hotspots such as Rattlesnake and Blue Mountain National Recreation Areas because of their proximity to public lands. Bozeman, Montana's other state university, is also a great place to start exploring national forests. While several public lands are nearby, the Custer-Gallatin National Forest is the most popular. The Custer-Gallatin passes through the adventurous town of Big Sky and connects to Yellowstone National Park south of Bozeman.

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Address: 4201 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT 59405

Phone: +1 406-727-8733

Website: usfs.oncell.com/en/index.html