Contact Info
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
- Phone:
- 406-243-6933
Description
The Lee Metcalf Wilderness now contains a total of 254,288 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. All of the wilderness is in the state of Montana.
Public land becomes wilderness through legislation passed by the United States Congress in the form of public laws. For the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, this process began in 1983 when 259,000 acres were designated by Public Law 98-140.
The Lee Metcalf Wilderness is part of the 106 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. This System of wild lands contributes significantly to the ecological, economic, and social health of our country. Wilderness provides clean air and water, a shelter for endangered species, sacred places for indigenous peoples, a living laboratory for research, and a classroom for exploring personal values while experiencing risk, reward, and self-reliance. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities like hiking, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, horse packing, bird watching, stargazing, and extraordinary opportunities for solitude.
Details
Additional Details:
Bureau of Land Management Information
Floaters are prohibited from camping within the wilderness in order to preserve opportunities for solitude within the canyon.
Backpackers may camp overnight, but are limited to 3 consecutive days within the canyon.
Pack and saddle stock are limited to the period between October 15 and December 15 to minimize congestion within the narrow river corridor.
There is no through-hiking allowed. The south end of the canyon, near the powerhouse is fenced to eliminate hazards associated with powerhouse emergency overflow, and to improve opportunities for solitude within the wilderness.
U.S. Forest Service Information
Unless otherwise specified, no motorized equipment or mechanical transport, with the exception of wheelchairs, is allowed. This is generally true for all federal lands managed as designated wilderness.
For more information or to contact the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, log onto the Lee Metcalf Wilderness page on Wilderness.net.
Leave No Trace principles:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Leave No Trace principles:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Hiking access to Bear Trap Canyon is from the north end of the canyon only. To reach the trailhead, follow State Highway 84 west from Bozeman. Just before the highway crosses the Madison River, and directly across from the Red Mountain Campground, a gravel road intersects the highway on the left and leads upstream on the east side of the river to the trailhead.
Floating access is from the south end of the canyon, near the Madison Powerhouse. The boat launch provides access to a Class IV segment of whitewater river through the canyon --experienced boaters only. Floaters can reach the canyon from U.S. Highway 287, 7 miles north of Ennis, at McAllister. Turn east on a gravel road towards Ennis Lake, follow for approximately 7 miles -- past the lake, across a bridge, into the canyon, past the dam, to the powerhouse. Floaters should unload at the launch site, but park upstream in the Fall Creek parking area (interpretive site). Do not park at the powerhouse!
