fbpx
Wikipedia

Flathead National Forest

January 31, 2023

The Flathead National Forest is a national forest in the western part of the U.S. state of Montana. The forest lies primarily in Flathead County, south of Glacier National Park. The forest covers 2,404,935 acres (3,758 sq mi; 9,732 km2) of which about 1 million acres (4,000 km2) is designated wilderness. It is named after the Flathead Native Americans who live in the area.

Flathead National Forest
The North Fork Road located in the Flathead National Forest.
LocationMontana, USA
Nearest cityColumbia Falls, Montana
Coordinates48°02′N 113°48′W / 48.033°N 113.800°W / 48.033; -113.800Coordinates: 48°02′N 113°48′W / 48.033°N 113.800°W / 48.033; -113.800
Area2,404,935 acres (9,732.43 km2)[1]
EstablishedFebruary 22, 1897[2]
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service
WebsiteFlathead National Forest
A trail bridge over Bear Creek

Description

The forest lies primarily in Flathead County (about 73% of its acreage), but smaller areas extend into five other counties. In descending order of land area they are Powell, Missoula, Lake, Lewis and Clark, and Lincoln counties. Forest headquarters are located in Kalispell, Montana. There are local ranger district offices in Bigfork, Hungry Horse, and Whitefish.[3]

The Flathead National Forest is bordered by Glacier National Park and Canada to the north, the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Glacier to the east, the Lolo National Forest to the south, and the Kootenai National Forest to the west. The wilderness areas in the forest are the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, Great Bear Wilderness Area, and Mission Mountains Wilderness Area. Other specially-designated areas in the forest include Flathead Wild and Scenic River, Jewel Basin Hiking Area, and the Coram Experimental Forest. Some 270,000 acres (1,100 km2) of non-federal land are also included in the boundaries drawn for the national forest. This includes private land, commercial forest and part or all of Swan River State Forest, Stillwater State Forest and Coal Creek State Forest.

The forest contains 1,700 miles (2,700 km) of roads, many of them primitive fire roads and 2,800 miles (4,500 km) of hiking trails. Approximately 38 miles (61 km) of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail are located within the Flathead National Forest.

Ecology

The forest is located in the Rocky Mountains with elevations ranging from 4,500 to 8,500 feet (1,400 to 2,600 m). The forest provides habitat for approximately 250 species of wildlife and 22 species of fish. This includes bald eagle, wolverine, beaver, elk, porcupine, cougar, moose, bobcat, white-tailed deer, coyote, grizzly bear, timber wolf, two species of fox, mountain goat, Canadian lynx, woodchuck, bighorn sheep and bull trout.

Activities

Commercial activities in the non-wilderness sections of the forest include timber harvesting, two downhill ski resorts and a small amount of cattle grazing.[4] Individuals can pick less than 10 US gallons (38 L) of berries without a permit. Larger amounts of berries, firewood and Christmas tree cutting, and mushroom or mineral gathering in wilderness areas require permits.

While camping is allowed almost anywhere within national forests without a permit, Flathead National Forest also has 31 campgrounds with some facilities. The largest campground has only 40 sites and 2 campgrounds have only one site each.[5] Most campgrounds do not have running water. There are also 14 cabins for rent in the forest.[6]

Points of interest

See also

References

  1. ^ "Land Areas of the National Forest System" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service. January 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  2. ^ "The National Forests of the United States" (PDF). ForestHistory.org. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  3. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
  4. ^ "Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan" (PDF). USDA. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  5. ^ "Campground Directory" (PDF). Flathead National Forest. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  6. ^ "Cabin Rentals". Flathead National Forest. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
  7. ^ "Montana: Hungry Horse Dam (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  8. ^ "Hungry Horse Reservoir". Montana. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  9. ^ "Chinese Wall". Genuine Montana. Retrieved 2021-01-07.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Flathead National Forest (category)
  • Official website
  • Pacific Northwest Trail

January 31, 2023
flathead, national, forest, national, forest, western, part, state, montana, forest, lies, primarily, flathead, county, south, glacier, national, park, forest, covers, acres, which, about, million, acres, designated, wilderness, named, after, flathead, native,. The Flathead National Forest is a national forest in the western part of the U S state of Montana The forest lies primarily in Flathead County south of Glacier National Park The forest covers 2 404 935 acres 3 758 sq mi 9 732 km2 of which about 1 million acres 4 000 km2 is designated wilderness It is named after the Flathead Native Americans who live in the area Flathead National ForestThe North Fork Road located in the Flathead National Forest LocationMontana USANearest cityColumbia Falls MontanaCoordinates48 02 N 113 48 W 48 033 N 113 800 W 48 033 113 800 Coordinates 48 02 N 113 48 W 48 033 N 113 800 W 48 033 113 800Area2 404 935 acres 9 732 43 km2 1 EstablishedFebruary 22 1897 2 Governing bodyU S Forest ServiceWebsiteFlathead National ForestA trail bridge over Bear Creek Contents 1 Description 2 Ecology 3 Activities 4 Points of interest 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksDescription EditThe forest lies primarily in Flathead County about 73 of its acreage but smaller areas extend into five other counties In descending order of land area they are Powell Missoula Lake Lewis and Clark and Lincoln counties Forest headquarters are located in Kalispell Montana There are local ranger district offices in Bigfork Hungry Horse and Whitefish 3 The Flathead National Forest is bordered by Glacier National Park and Canada to the north the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Glacier to the east the Lolo National Forest to the south and the Kootenai National Forest to the west The wilderness areas in the forest are the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area Great Bear Wilderness Area and Mission Mountains Wilderness Area Other specially designated areas in the forest include Flathead Wild and Scenic River Jewel Basin Hiking Area and the Coram Experimental Forest Some 270 000 acres 1 100 km2 of non federal land are also included in the boundaries drawn for the national forest This includes private land commercial forest and part or all of Swan River State Forest Stillwater State Forest and Coal Creek State Forest The forest contains 1 700 miles 2 700 km of roads many of them primitive fire roads and 2 800 miles 4 500 km of hiking trails Approximately 38 miles 61 km of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail are located within the Flathead National Forest Ecology EditThe forest is located in the Rocky Mountains with elevations ranging from 4 500 to 8 500 feet 1 400 to 2 600 m The forest provides habitat for approximately 250 species of wildlife and 22 species of fish This includes bald eagle wolverine beaver elk porcupine cougar moose bobcat white tailed deer coyote grizzly bear timber wolf two species of fox mountain goat Canadian lynx woodchuck bighorn sheep and bull trout Activities EditCommercial activities in the non wilderness sections of the forest include timber harvesting two downhill ski resorts and a small amount of cattle grazing 4 Individuals can pick less than 10 US gallons 38 L of berries without a permit Larger amounts of berries firewood and Christmas tree cutting and mushroom or mineral gathering in wilderness areas require permits While camping is allowed almost anywhere within national forests without a permit Flathead National Forest also has 31 campgrounds with some facilities The largest campground has only 40 sites and 2 campgrounds have only one site each 5 Most campgrounds do not have running water There are also 14 cabins for rent in the forest 6 Points of interest EditHungry Horse Dam is a 564 foot 172 m tall dam that creates the 34 mile 55 km long Flathead Reservoir 7 8 Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex spans over 1 5 million acres 6 100 km2 comprising the Bob Marshall Wilderness the Great Bear Wilderness and the Scapegoat Wilderness Whitefish Mountain Resort is a ski resort located on Big Mountain in the Flathead National Forest Chinese Wall is a 22 mile 35 km long 1 000 foot 300 m tall escarpment located in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex 9 Big Creek Ranger Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Coram Experimental Forest is an 800 acre 3 2 km2 experimental western larch forest located in the Flathead National Forest See also EditList of forests in MontanaReferences Edit Land Areas of the National Forest System PDF U S Forest Service January 2012 Retrieved June 25 2012 The National Forests of the United States PDF ForestHistory org Retrieved June 25 2012 USFS Ranger Districts by State PDF Archived from the original PDF on 2012 01 19 Retrieved 2009 04 14 Flathead National Forest Land Management Plan PDF USDA Retrieved 2019 06 04 Campground Directory PDF Flathead National Forest Retrieved 2019 06 04 Cabin Rentals Flathead National Forest Retrieved 2019 06 04 Montana Hungry Horse Dam U S National Park Service www nps gov Retrieved 2021 01 07 Hungry Horse Reservoir Montana Retrieved 2021 01 07 Chinese Wall Genuine Montana Retrieved 2021 01 07 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flathead National Forest category Official website Pacific Northwest Trail Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Flathead National Forest amp oldid 1126027600, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.