The Rocky Mountain Front
Montana's southwest visitor's region extends beyond the typical geographic boundaries, encompassing Lewis and Clark and Powell counties. While these counties are traditionally considered part of northwest Montana, they extend well into the Bob Marshall complex, making them part of the southwest tourism province.
The Bob Marshall Country comprises over 1.6 million acres of federally designated wilderness, including the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness areas, along with an additional 1 million acres of public lands managed as wilderness. This vast expanse of wildlands is a national treasure and a key attraction for visitors to the region.
The Montana Rocky Mountain Front is also included in this geography. This area marks the convergence of the northern Great Plains and the Northern Rockies, creating a stunning landscape where grasslands meet towering mountains. Augusta, a vibrant ranching town often referred to as the gateway to the Bob Marshall Wilderness, lies within this region, along with the Sun River, which flows beneath the shadow of the majestic mountains.
Iconic features such as the Chinese Wall and Scapegoat Mountain are part of this historic and renowned landscape. The headwaters of several significant rivers, including the North and South Forks of the Sun River, the Dearborn River, the North Fork of the Blackfoot River, Monture Creek, and the Danaher River, originate here.
Moreover, approximately 180 miles of the Continental Divide Trail traverse this expansive area of southwest Montana, offering outdoor enthusiasts unparalleled opportunities for hiking and exploration amidst breathtaking natural scenery.
Montana's southwest visitor's region extends beyond the typical geographic boundaries, encompassing Lewis and Clark and Powell counties. While these counties are traditionally considered part of northwest Montana, they extend well into the Bob Marshall complex, making them part of the southwest tourism province.
The Bob Marshall Country comprises over 1.6 million acres of federally designated wilderness, including the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness areas, along with an additional 1 million acres of public lands managed as wilderness. This vast expanse of wildlands is a national treasure and a key attraction for visitors to the region.
The Montana Rocky Mountain Front is also included in this geography. This area marks the convergence of the northern Great Plains and the Northern Rockies, creating a stunning landscape where grasslands meet towering mountains. Augusta, a vibrant ranching town often referred to as the gateway to the Bob Marshall Wilderness, lies within this region, along with the Sun River, which flows beneath the shadow of the majestic mountains.
Iconic features such as the Chinese Wall and Scapegoat Mountain are part of this historic and renowned landscape. The headwaters of several significant rivers, including the North and South Forks of the Sun River, the Dearborn River, the North Fork of the Blackfoot River, Monture Creek, and the Danaher River, originate here.
Moreover, approximately 180 miles of the Continental Divide Trail traverse this expansive area of southwest Montana, offering outdoor enthusiasts unparalleled opportunities for hiking and exploration amidst breathtaking natural scenery.