Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area

Helena, MT

Phone: 406-449-5490

Additional Information:
  • Big Game
  • Camping
  • Elk Hunting
  • Hiking
  • Lewis And Clark
  • Wildlife Viewing

The Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area covers 28,465 acres and is managed by the Helena National Forest. It was Meriwether Lewis who was responsible for naming the landmark and was the first to leave a record of his passage "from the singular appearance of this place I called it the gates of the mountains." The Gates of the Mountains, as it is known today, is one of the most widely recognized landmarks of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

There are approximately 53 miles of trails in this 28,562 acre Wilderness area, some of which are located in lower and dryer elevations making it suitable for spring trips when other areas are still under snow. This network of trails can be reached from several access points, most of which are in the Beaver Creek drainage, both above and below the old town of Nelson. Water can be scarce in the Wilderness. The trails go through timbered areas as well as some large parks. Information and images provided by Wilderness.net

In the area

Places to Stay
See and Do
Events
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  1. Log Gulch Campground
    Log Gulch Campground
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  2. Holter Lake Recreation Area
    Holter Lake Recreation Area
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  3. Departure Point
    Departure Point
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  4. Wolf Creek Bridge Fishing Access Site
    Wolf Creek Bridge Fishing Access Site
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  5. Wolf Creek Angler Lodging & Flyshop
    Wolf Creek Angler Lodging & Flyshop
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  6. Missouri River Ranch
    Missouri River Ranch
    Craig, MT
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  7. Wolf Creek Retreat
    Wolf Creek Retreat
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  8. Craig Fishing Access Site
    Craig Fishing Access Site
    Craig, MT
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  9. Montana's Wolf Creek Lodge
    Montana's Wolf Creek Lodge
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  10. CrossCurrents Fly Shop Lodging
    CrossCurrents Fly Shop Lodging
    Craig, MT
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  11. The Trout Shop Lodge
    The Trout Shop Lodge
    Craig, MT
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  12. Coulter Campground
    Coulter Campground
    Helena, MT
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  13. Missouri River Lodge
    Missouri River Lodge
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  14. 7R Guest Ranch
    7R Guest Ranch
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  15. End of the Line Sportsman's Retreat
    End of the Line Sportsman's Retreat
    Craig, MT
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  16. Stickney Creek
    Stickney Creek
    Craig, MT
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  17. Spite Hill Fishing Access Site
    Spite Hill Fishing Access Site
    Craig, MT
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  18. Rocking Z Guest Ranch
    Rocking Z Guest Ranch
    Wolf Creek, MT
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  19. Two Feathers Lodge
    Two Feathers Lodge
    Craig, MT
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  20. Flatwater Lodge
    Flatwater Lodge
    Craig, MT
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