Wilderness Study Areas

Scattered throughout the state, WSAs include some of Montana’s wildest, most intact, and most beloved public lands

Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area (photo by Steven Gnam)
Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area (photo by Steven Gnam)

Montana’s 44 wilderness study areas (WSAs) comprise one million acres of our wildest prairies, river breaks, deep forests, and towering peaks in all corners of the state. They provide unparalleled wildlife habitat, as well as clean air and water.

While the beauty, ecological importance, and wildness of WSAs often rival that of designated wilderness areas, WSAs do not enjoy the same level of protection. Indeed, they have been subject to repeated attacks from state and federal legislators, including Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte, who in 2018 introduced top-down, one-size-fits-all legislation seeking to remove all protections from over 82,000 acres of WSAs.

Thousands of Montanans spoke out passionately against these bills, leading to their ultimate defeat and setting the stage for a collaborative process to determine the future of WSAs.

The widespread desire for a Montana-based solution for WSAs was evident in a report the legislature’s Environmental Quality Council (EQC) released in 2020 after studying Montana’s seven Forest Service WSAs. The report highlighted the importance of collaborative, stakeholder-driven recommendations for deciding the fate of WSAs.

This reflects Montanans’ broad support for WSAs. A 2022 poll released by the University of Montana found that 94% of Montanans across the state and the political spectrum oppose stripping protections from all seven WSAs in Montana managed by the Forest Service.

Many Montanans depend on WSAs for their clean water, outdoor recreation, solitude, and economic strength, and any decisions about the future of WSAs should be made with input from the people who treasure them.

Wilderness study areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service

Ten Lakes WSA
34,000 acres in northwest Montana near Eureka

The traditional homelands of the Ktanxa (Kootenai) peoples, Ten Lakes WSA includes the Galton and Whitefish ranges. Forested foothills roll up to glacially-carved basins, and flower-filled mountain meadows abound during the summer months. Spectacular alpine lakes are tucked underneath open ridges that provide panoramic views of Glacier National Park, the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, and southern British Columbia. Ten Lakes is also home to one the most diverse arrays of large mammals in the contiguous United States, including grizzly bear, lynx, wolverine, fishers, and wolves.

Big Snowies WSA
98,000 acres in central Montana near Lewistown

The Big Snowy Mountains WSA is the traditional homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) and Métis peoples, notable for how they abruptly rise from an expanse of grasslands. The northern flanks of the range are split by rugged limestone canyons carved through dense forest, while huge glacial basins drain the southern reaches. Wildflowers carpet the ground in July and August, and many canyons support seasonal streams due to the porous nature of the underlying limestone, which makes for the many ice caves found here. This unique geology makes the Snowies a vital watershed, responsible for replenishing the underground aquifers and springs of the surrounding plains with crystal clear water.

Blue Joint WSA
61,400 acres in the Bitterroot Range along the Idaho border

Traditional homelands of the Nimipuu (Nez Perce) and Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) peoples, the Blue Joint WSA encompasses two deep canyons carved by tributaries of the West Fork Bitterroot River. The lower elevations are thickly forested with Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and ponderosa pine, while whitebark pine borders the alpine meadows and cliffs in the higher elevations. Wildlife is abundant in the Blue Joint, too – there are abundant populations of bighorn sheep, elk, deer, pine marten, and black bear.

Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn WSA
155,000 acres of the Gallatin Range south of Bozeman

This is the traditional homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) and the Shoshone-Bannock peoples.The northern portion of the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn WSA is home to spectacular peaks in the Hyalite area. South of Hyalite is the Gallatin Crest – a massive plateau scarred with deep canyons. Many summits reach over 10,000 feet, and the headwaters of the Gallatin River originate here. Porcupine Creek and Buffalo Horn also provide year-round range for Yellowstone elk and moose, from fall forage to spring calving. The WSA also provides habitat for grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, wolverines, deer, and many other species.

Middle Fork Judith WSA
92,000 acres of the Little Belt Mountains southeast of Great Falls

Traditional homelands of the Métis and Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfoot) peoples, the Middle Fork Judith WSA encompasses the Middle and Lost Forks of the Judith River. Both of these tributaries of the Missouri have cut deep, twisted canyons through limestone cliffs to form the heart of the WSA. To the west, higher elevations are thick with lodgepole and whitebark pine, while Douglas fir and ponderosa pine mingle with broad meadows to the east. The Middle Fork Judith’s waterways are loaded with native cutthroat and rainbow trout, which face real threats in the unprotected lands just outside the WSA boundaries.

Sapphire WSA
98,000 acres south of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness in western Montana

Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) peoples, the Sapphire WSA is the biological heartland of the wilderness complex that stretches from the Big Hole Valley to the pristine headwaters of Rock Creek. It’s the center of a diverse mountain ecosystem, tucked below the crest of the Pintler Range, and home to more than 20 lovely alpine lakes nestled in steep cirques. To the west, creeks feed the trout fisheries of the Bitterroot River. To the east, the crystalline waters of Rock Creek support large populations of cutthroat and rainbow trout.

West Pioneer WSA
148,150 acres in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest northwest of Dillon

Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples, the West Pioneer WSA is the largest remaining roadless area in southwest Montana. Rolling and forested, the West Pioneers provide gentle contrast to the craggy summits of the East Pioneers and are home to a large population of elk. The crest of the range offers spectacular views of the Continental Divide and East Pioneers, while creeks meander through meadows to the east into the Wise River and on to the famous Big Hole. Along the divide, backpackers can find a dozen small lakes tucked away in tumbledown cirques.

Wilderness study areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Antelope Creek WSA
12,350 acres of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument near Fort Benton
Size. Traditional homelands of the A’aninin (Gros Ventre), Nakota (Assiniboine), and Métis people.

Axolotl Lakes WSA
7,804 acres along the northern edge of the Greenhorn Mountains northeast of Dillon. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Beaver Meadows WSA
595 acres southwest of Augusta along the Rocky Mountain Front.Traditional homelands of the Métis and Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet) peoples.

Bell and Limekiln Canyons WSA
9,650 acres near the Clark Canyon Reservoir southwest of Dillon. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Big Horn Tack-on WSA
2,470 acres between the Pryor Mountain Range and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Traditional homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) peoples.

Billy Creek WSA
3,450 acres in the south-central portion of the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge south of Glasgow. Traditional homelands of the Métis, A’aninin (Gros Ventre), and Nakota (Assiniboine) peoples.

Bitter Creek WSA
59,660 acres along the Canadian border north of Glasgow. Traditional homelands of the Ne-i-yah-wahk (Plains Cree), A’aninin (Gros Ventre), Nakota (Assiniboine), and Métis peoples.

Black Sage WSA
5,926 acres in the Elkhorn Mountains between Boulder and Whitehall. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish), Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet), and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Blacktail Mountains WSA
17,479 acres just south of Dillon. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Bridge Coulee WSA
5,900 acres south of the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge. Traditional homelands of the Métis, Apsáalooke (Crow), A’aninin (Gros Ventre), and Nakota (Assiniboine).

Burnt Lodge WSA
13,730 acres in Phillips and Valley Counties along the northern boundary of Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Traditional homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) peoples.

Burnt Timber Canyon WSA
3,430 acres south of the Pryor Mountains three miles from the Wyoming border. Traditional homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) peoples.

Centennial Mountains WSA
27,691 acres south of Red Rock Lakes on the Idaho border in southwest Montana. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Cow Creek WSA
34,050 acres within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Traditional homelands of the A’aninin (Gros Ventre) and Métis peoples.

Dog Creek South WSA
5,150 acres within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Traditional homelands of the A’aninin (Gros Ventre) and Métis peoples.

East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek WSA
6,230 acres north of Red Rock Lakes near Yellowstone National Park. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Elkhorn WSA
3,585 acres halfway between Boulder and Clancy. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish), Shoshone-Bannock, and Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet) peoples.

Ervin Ridge WSA
10,200 acres within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Traditional homelands of the A’aninin (Gros Ventre) and Métis peoples.

Farlin Creek WSA
1,139 acres between Dillon and Wisdom. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Henneberry Ridge WSA
9,806 acres south of Bannack State Park near Dillon. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Hidden Pasture Creek WSA
15,509 acres in the Beaverhead Mountains west of Dell. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Hoodoo Mountain WSA
11,380 acres between Drummond and Lincoln. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet) peoples.

Humbug Spires WSA
11,175 acres south of Butte near Interstate 15. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Musselshell Breaks WSA
8,650 acres south of the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge near Glasgow. Traditional homelands of the Métis, Apsáalooke (Crow), A’aninin (Gros Ventre), and Nakota (Assiniboine) peoples.

North Fork Sun River WSA
196 acres northeast of the Gibson Reservoir between Missoula and Great Falls. Traditional homelands of the Métis and Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet) peoples.

Pryor Mountain WSA
12,575 acres along the Wyoming border south of Billings. Traditional homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) peoples.

Quigg West WSA
520 acres near Rock Creek Road east of Hamilton. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) peoples.

Ruby Mountains WSA
26,611 acres near Ruby River Reservoir east of Dillon. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) Shoshone-Bannock peoples.

Seven Blackfoot WSA
20,250 acres in the south-central portion of the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge south of Glasgow. Traditional homelands of the Métis, A’aninin (Gros Ventre), and Nakota (Assiniboine).

Sleeping Giant/Sheep Creek WSA
10,454 acres north of Helena near the Gates of the Mountains and Holter Lake. Traditional homelands of the Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet) peoples.

Square Butte WSA
1,947 acres south of Geraldine. Traditional homelands of the Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet), Métis, and A’aninin (Gros Ventre) peoples.

Stafford WSA
4,800 acres within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Traditional homelands of the Métis and A’aninin (Gros Ventre) peoples.

Terry Badlands WSA
44,910 acres northwest of Terry. Traditional homelands of the Lakota and Dakota (Sioux), Nakota (Assiniboine), and Apsáalooke (Crow) peoples.

Twin Coulee WSA
6,870 acres south on the southeast flank of the Big Snowy Mountains, south of Lewistown.Traditional homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) and Métis peoples.

Wales Creek WSA
11,580 acres south of Ovando. Traditional homelands of the Sélish (Bitterroot Salish) and the Niitstapi or Pikuni (Blackfeet) peoples.

Woodhawk WSA
8,100 acres within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Traditional homelands of the Métis and A’aninin (Gros Ventre) peoples.

Yellowstone River Island WSA
53 acres northeast of Livingston along the Yellowstone River. Traditional homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) peoples.

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