Lewis and Clark National Forest
Encyclopedia
Lewis and Clark National Forest is located in west central Montana
, United States
. Spanning 2800 square miles (7,252 km²), the forest is managed as two separate zones. The eastern sections, under the Jefferson Division, is a mixture of grass
and shrublands dotted with "island" pockets of forested areas. Here, cattle
leases to local ranchers as well as timber harvesting
are the norm. The western Rocky Mountain Division which straddles the Continental divide
, is more oriented more towards preservation, primarily because much of the land has been designated as wilderness
. Forest headquarters are located in Great Falls, Montana
. There are local ranger
district offices in Choteau
, Harlowton
, Neihart
, Stanford
, and White Sulphur Springs
.
The forest lands were originally created in 1897 which makes this forest one of the oldest forest preserves in the U.S. The forest is named in honor of the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
, which passed through the forest between 1804 and 1806. Prior to that the region was inhabited by Indians for a period of at least 8,000 years and when the expedition first came to the area, the Blackfeet
, Sioux
, Cheyenne
, Flathead
and Crow Indians all utilized the forest for hunting and as protection from the winter.
Altitudes range from 4500 feet (1,371.6 m) to the top of Rocky Mountain Peak at 9362 feet (2,853.5 m). The forest is divided into seven separate sections and encompasses eight mountain
ranges; the Judith
, Big Snowy
, Little Snowy
, Crazy
, Castle
, Little Belt
and Highwood Mountains
. The westernmost section includes portions of the Great Bear
, Scapegoat
and the Bob Marshall Wilderness
es, and also borders Glacier National Park, which is to the north.
The western Rocky Mountain Division consists of a dense coniferous forest and has numerous species of spruce
, fir
, larch
and pine
. The Jeffereson Division is dominated by ponderosa
and lodgepole pine
which prefer a dryer climate. The Grizzly bear
and wolf are found in the western sections of the forest, and are especially dense in the designated wilderness areas. In addition, the western section contains much of the wildlife present when the Lewis and Clark Expedition first passed through the region. Mountain goat
s, bighorn sheep
, elk
, mountain lions, lynx
, wolverine
s and black bear
s are most common nearest the Continental divide. In other sections of the forest, black bears, mule deer
and white-tailed deer
are the largest mammals found. Throughout the forest, Bald Eagle
s, grouse
, peregrine falcon
and red tailed hawk
s are increasing in numbers. Lakes and streams are more numerous in the western section due to a higher altitude and more precipitation and are home to the rare westslope cutthroat trout
, which may become one of the latest endangered species
. In the 1600 miles (2,574.9 km) of rivers and streams in the forest, Rainbow trout
, brook trout
and northern pike
are relatively common however. Excellent fly fishing
opportunities are plentiful, especially in the Smith River.
There are 29 vehicle-accessible campgrounds to be found on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Two ski
areas also operate within the forest. Almost 1500 miles (2,414 km) of hiking
trails provide access to remote locations in the seven different mountain ranges over which the forest presides. Solitude is most common in the Crazy Mountains and in the wilderness areas near the Continental divide. Summertime average high temperatures are in the 70s °F (20s °C), but the winter can be very cold, especially in the more exposed eastern sections and snow can linger for up to 10 months of the year along the Continental divide.
The forest lies in parts of thirteen counties. In descending order of land area they are Lewis and Clark
, Meagher
, Judith Basin
, Teton
, Cascade
, Pondera
, Fergus
, Wheatland
, Chouteau
, Glacier
, Golden Valley
, Sweet Grass
, and Park
counties.
. On June 9, 1903 the Flathead Forest Reserve
was added, and on March 2, 1907 the spelling was changed to Lewis and Clark, land was added, and the forest, which was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 1906, became a National Forest. On April 8, 1932 the entire Jefferson National Forest
was added, which itself comprised the former Little Belt
, Crazy Mountain
, Snowy Mountains
, Little Rockies
and Highwood Mountains National Forest
. Finally, on July 1, 1945, part of Absaroka National Forest
was added.
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Spanning 2800 square miles (7,252 km²), the forest is managed as two separate zones. The eastern sections, under the Jefferson Division, is a mixture of grass
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
and shrublands dotted with "island" pockets of forested areas. Here, cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
leases to local ranchers as well as timber harvesting
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
are the norm. The western Rocky Mountain Division which straddles the Continental divide
Continental divide
A continental divide is a drainage divide on a continent such that the drainage basin on one side of the divide feeds into one ocean or sea, and the basin on the other side either feeds into a different ocean or sea, or else is endorheic, not connected to the open sea...
, is more oriented more towards preservation, primarily because much of the land has been designated as wilderness
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
. Forest headquarters are located in Great Falls, Montana
Great Falls, Montana
Great Falls is a city in and the county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States. The population was 58,505 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Great Falls, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Cascade County...
. There are local ranger
National Park Ranger
National Park Service Rangers are among the uniformed employees charged with protecting and preserving areas set aside in the National Park System by the United States Congress and/or the President of the United States...
district offices in Choteau
Choteau, Montana
Choteau is a city in and the county seat of Teton County, Montana, United States. It lies along U.S. Routes 89 and 287 about east of the Rocky Mountains, near Flathead National Forest, the Rocky Mountain Division of Lewis and Clark National Forest, and Glacier National Park. The population was...
, Harlowton
Harlowton, Montana
Harlowton is a city in and the county seat of Wheatland County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,062 at the 2000 census. The city was once the eastern terminus of electric operations of the Milwaukee Road railroad's "Pacific Extension" route, which went all the way to Avery, Idaho. ...
, Neihart
Neihart, Montana
Neihart is a town in Cascade County, Montana, United States. It is located in the center of Little Belt Mountains. The population was 91 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Great Falls, Montana, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Stanford
Stanford, Montana
Stanford is a town in and the county seat of Judith Basin County, Montana, United States. The population was 454 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stanford is located at ....
, and White Sulphur Springs
White Sulphur Springs, Montana
White Sulphur Springs is a city in and the county seat of Meagher County, Montana, United States. The population was 984 at the 2000 census.The center of population of Montana is located in White Sulphur Springs.-Geography:...
.
The forest lands were originally created in 1897 which makes this forest one of the oldest forest preserves in the U.S. The forest is named in honor of the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
, which passed through the forest between 1804 and 1806. Prior to that the region was inhabited by Indians for a period of at least 8,000 years and when the expedition first came to the area, the Blackfeet
Blackfeet
The Piegan Blackfeet are a tribe of Native Americans of the Algonquian language family based in Montana, having lived in this area since around 6,500 BC. Many members of the tribe live as part of the Blackfeet Nation in northwestern Montana, with population centered in Browning...
, Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
, Cheyenne
Cheyenne
Cheyenne are a Native American people of the Great Plains, who are of the Algonquian language family. The Cheyenne Nation is composed of two united tribes, the Só'taeo'o and the Tsétsêhéstâhese .The Cheyenne are thought to have branched off other tribes of Algonquian stock inhabiting lands...
, Flathead
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation are the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai and Pend d'Oreilles Tribes. The Flatheads lived between the Cascade Mountains and Rocky Mountains. The Salish initially lived entirely east of the Continental Divide but established their...
and Crow Indians all utilized the forest for hunting and as protection from the winter.
Altitudes range from 4500 feet (1,371.6 m) to the top of Rocky Mountain Peak at 9362 feet (2,853.5 m). The forest is divided into seven separate sections and encompasses eight mountain
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
ranges; the Judith
Judith Mountains
The Judith Mountains are located in the north central area in the U.S. State of MontanaJudith Peak is the highest summit of this range, with an elevation of 6,428 feet....
, Big Snowy
Big Snowy Mountains
The Big Snowy Mountains, el. , are a mountain range south of Lewistown, Montana in Fergus County, Montana. One of the few points of significant elevation in the area, this is considered one of Montana's island ranges.,...
, Little Snowy
Little Snowy Mountains
The Little Snowy Mountains, el. , is a small mountain range southeast of Lewistown, Montana in Fergus County, Montana....
, Crazy
Crazy Mountains
The Crazy Mountains, often called the Crazies, are a mountain range in the northern Rocky Mountains in the U.S. state of Montana.-Geography:...
, Castle
Castle Mountains (Montana)
The Castle Mountains, highest point Elk Peak, el. , are an island range east of White Sulphur Springs in Meagher County, Montana, USA. About 30,000 acres of the Castles were roadless as of 1995. The western portion of the Castles are moist, while the eastside is dry, porous limestone hills...
, Little Belt
Little Belt Mountains
The Little Belt Mountains are a section of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. state of Montana. Situated mainly in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, the mountains are used for logging and recreation for the residents of Great Falls, Montana...
and Highwood Mountains
Highwood Mountains
The Highwood Mountains cover approximately 4,659 km² in north central Montana in the U.S., east of Great Falls and Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, at the northern end of the Lewis and Clark National Forest...
. The westernmost section includes portions of the Great Bear
Great Bear Wilderness
The Great Bear Wilderness is located in northern Montana, United States, within Flathead National Forest Created by an act of Congress in 1978, the wilderness comprises 286,700 acres and borders the Bob Marshall Wilderness on the north...
, Scapegoat
Scapegoat Wilderness
The Scapegoat Wilderness consists of 239,936 acres spread across three different National Forests in the U.S. state of Montana. Created by an act of Congress in 1972, the wilderness is located in Lewis and Clark, Helena and Lolo National Forests...
and the Bob Marshall Wilderness
Bob Marshall Wilderness
The Bob Marshall Wilderness is a wilderness area in Flathead National Forest of western Montana in the United States. It is named after Bob Marshall , an early forester, conservationist, and co-founder of The Wilderness Society. The Bob Marshall Wilderness extends for 60 miles along the...
es, and also borders Glacier National Park, which is to the north.
The western Rocky Mountain Division consists of a dense coniferous forest and has numerous species of spruce
Spruce
A spruce is a tree of the genus Picea , a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. Spruces are large trees, from tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical...
, fir
Fir
Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range...
, larch
Larch
Larches are conifers in the genus Larix, in the family Pinaceae. Growing from 15 to 50m tall, they are native to much of the cooler temperate northern hemisphere, on lowlands in the north and high on mountains further south...
and pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
. The Jeffereson Division is dominated by ponderosa
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane...
and lodgepole pine
Lodgepole Pine
Lodgepole Pine, Pinus contorta, also known as Shore Pine, is a common tree in western North America. Like all pines, it is evergreen.-Subspecies:...
which prefer a dryer climate. The Grizzly bear
Grizzly Bear
The grizzly bear , also known as the silvertip bear, the grizzly, or the North American brown bear, is a subspecies of brown bear that generally lives in the uplands of western North America...
and wolf are found in the western sections of the forest, and are especially dense in the designated wilderness areas. In addition, the western section contains much of the wildlife present when the Lewis and Clark Expedition first passed through the region. Mountain goat
Mountain goat
The Mountain Goat , also known as the Rocky Mountain Goat, is a large-hoofed mammal found only in North America. Despite its vernacular name, it is not a member of Capra, the genus of true goats...
s, bighorn sheep
Bighorn Sheep
The bighorn sheep is a species of sheep in North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to , while the sheep themselves weigh up to . Recent genetic testing indicates that there are three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: Ovis canadensis sierrae...
, elk
Elk
The Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...
, mountain lions, lynx
Lynx
A lynx is any of the four Lynx genus species of medium-sized wildcats. The name "lynx" originated in Middle English via Latin from Greek word "λύγξ", derived from the Indo-European root "*leuk-", meaning "light, brightness", in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes...
, wolverine
Wolverine
The wolverine, pronounced , Gulo gulo , also referred to as glutton, carcajou, skunk bear, or quickhatch, is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae . It is a stocky and muscular carnivore, more closely resembling a small bear than other mustelids...
s and black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
s are most common nearest the Continental divide. In other sections of the forest, black bears, mule deer
Mule Deer
The mule deer is a deer indigenous to western North America. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large mule-like ears. There are believed to be several subspecies, including the black-tailed deer...
and white-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
are the largest mammals found. Throughout the forest, Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
s, grouse
Grouse
Grouse are a group of birds from the order Galliformes. They are sometimes considered a family Tetraonidae, though the American Ornithologists' Union and many others include grouse as a subfamily Tetraoninae in the family Phasianidae...
, peregrine falcon
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
and red tailed hawk
Hawk
The term hawk can be used in several ways:* In strict usage in Australia and Africa, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks,...
s are increasing in numbers. Lakes and streams are more numerous in the western section due to a higher altitude and more precipitation and are home to the rare westslope cutthroat trout
Cutthroat trout
The cutthroat trout is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is one of the many fish species colloquially known as trout...
, which may become one of the latest endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
. In the 1600 miles (2,574.9 km) of rivers and streams in the forest, Rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
, brook trout
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
and northern pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
are relatively common however. Excellent fly fishing
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
opportunities are plentiful, especially in the Smith River.
There are 29 vehicle-accessible campgrounds to be found on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Two ski
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
areas also operate within the forest. Almost 1500 miles (2,414 km) of hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trails provide access to remote locations in the seven different mountain ranges over which the forest presides. Solitude is most common in the Crazy Mountains and in the wilderness areas near the Continental divide. Summertime average high temperatures are in the 70s °F (20s °C), but the winter can be very cold, especially in the more exposed eastern sections and snow can linger for up to 10 months of the year along the Continental divide.
The forest lies in parts of thirteen counties. In descending order of land area they are Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark County, Montana
-National protected areas:* Flathead National Forest * Helena National Forest * Lewis and Clark National Forest * Lolo National Forest * Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area -Demographics:...
, Meagher
Meagher County, Montana
-National protected areas:*Gallatin National Forest *Helena National Forest *Lewis and Clark National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,932 people, 803 households, and 529 families residing in the county...
, Judith Basin
Judith Basin County, Montana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,329 people, 951 households, and 661 families residing in the county. The population density was -Demographics:...
, Teton
Teton County, Montana
-National protected area:*Lewis and Clark National Forest *Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,445 people, 2,538 households, and 1,761 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile . There were 2,910...
, Cascade
Cascade County, Montana
-National protected areas:*Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge*Lewis and Clark National Forest -Economy:Malmstrom Air Force Base is a driving force in the regional economy...
, Pondera
Pondera County, Montana
-National protected area:*Lewis and Clark National Forest *Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,424 people, 2,410 households, and 1,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile . There were 2,834...
, Fergus
Fergus County, Montana
-National protected areas:* Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge * Lewis and Clark National Forest * Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument -Demographics:...
, Wheatland
Wheatland County, Montana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,259 people, 853 households, and 540 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile . There were 1,154 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile...
, Chouteau
Chouteau County, Montana
-National protected areas:* Lewis and Clark National Forest * Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument -Economy:Chouteau County is the largest winter wheat producer for the state of Montana...
, Glacier
Glacier County, Montana
-National protected areas:* Glacier National Park * Lewis and Clark National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 13,247 people, 4,304 households, and 3,245 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile . There were 5,243 housing units...
, Golden Valley
Golden Valley County, Montana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,042 people, 365 households, and 263 families residing in the county. The population density was -Demographics:...
, Sweet Grass
Sweet Grass County, Montana
-National protected areas:*Custer National Forest *Gallatin National Forest *Lewis and Clark National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,609 people, 1,476 households, and 987 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile...
, and Park
Park County, Montana
Park Counties in Montana and Wyoming are among the very few pairs of counties in the United States with the same name to border each other across state lines.-National protected areas:* Custer National Forest * Gallatin National Forest...
counties.
History
The forest was established on February 22, 1897 as the Lewis and Clarke Forest Reserve under the management of the General Land OfficeGeneral Land Office
The General Land Office was an independent agency of the United States government responsible for public domain lands in the United States. It was created in 1812 to take over functions previously conducted by the United States Department of the Treasury...
. On June 9, 1903 the Flathead Forest Reserve
Flathead Forest Reserve
The Flathead Forest Reserve was established in Montana by the General Land Office on February 22, 1897 with . On June 9, 1903 it was combined with the Lewis and Clarke Forest Reserve and its name was discontinued....
was added, and on March 2, 1907 the spelling was changed to Lewis and Clark, land was added, and the forest, which was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 1906, became a National Forest. On April 8, 1932 the entire Jefferson National Forest
Jefferson National Forest (Montana)
Jefferson National Forest in Montana was established by the U.S. Forest Service on July 1, 1908 with from the consolidation of Little Belt, Highwood Mountains, Snowy Mountains and Little Rockies National Forests. On April 8, 1932 the entire forest was transferred to Lewis and Clark National...
was added, which itself comprised the former Little Belt
Little Belt National Forest
Little Belt National Forest was established as the Little Belt Forest Reserve by the U.S. Forest Service in Montana on October 3, 1905 with after a name change from Little Belt Mountains Forest Reserve, which was established on August 16, 1902 with . It became a National Forest on March 4, 1907...
, Crazy Mountain
Crazy Mountain National Forest
Crazy Mountain National Forest was established as the Crazy Mountain Forest Reserve in Montana by the U.S. Forest Service on August 10, 1906 with . It became a National Forest on March 4, 1907...
, Snowy Mountains
Snowy Mountains National Forest
Snowy Mountains National Forest was established as the Snowy Mountains Forest Reserve by the U.S. Forest Service in Montana on November 5, 1906 with . It became a National Forest on March 4, 1907...
, Little Rockies
Little Rockies National Forest
Little Rockies National Forest was established by the U.S. Forest Service in Montana on March 2, 1907 with . On July 1, 1908 the entire forest was combined with Little Belt, Snowy Mountains and Highwood Mountains National Forests to establish Jefferson National Forest and the name was discontinued...
and Highwood Mountains National Forest
Highwood Mountains National Forest
Highwood Mountains National Forest was established as the Highwood Mountains Forest Reserve by the U.S. Forest Service in Montana on April 12, 1906 with . It became a National Forest on March 4, 1907...
. Finally, on July 1, 1945, part of Absaroka National Forest
Absaroka National Forest
Absaroka National Forest was established by the General Land Office in Montana on September 4, 1902 as the Absaroka Forest Reserve with . On January 29, 1903 it was combined with the Yellowstone Forest Reserve, but it was reinstated as a National Forest under the U.S...
was added.