The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Lewis and Clark SRMA covers thousands of acres in the Salmon River, Bitterroot, and Lemhi ranges. The Salmon River meanders through this property. The Bureau of Indian Affairs administers the northern part, and there are several Bureau of Land Management campgrounds nearby to consider. These free or low-cost campgrounds offer excellent opportunities to stay in the area for up to 14 days. This area sits immediately to the west of Glendive, Montana, and straddles the Idaho/Montana state line.
The Kinney Coulee Trail at Makoshika State Park starts off a dirt road near Radio Hill Junction. Follow the trail into the coulee while enjoying rock formations, including caprock. This loop trail has a strong descent at its beginning and a strong ascent at its end.
Length: 1 mile
Intensity: Moderate
The Cap Rock Trail at Makoshika State Park starts at the Cap Rock Trail parking lot about 2.5 miles from the park's entrance. This rugged trail runs through streams, pinnacles, and caprocks. You can see a natural bridge from this loop trail.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Glendive Historic Trail in Glendive, Montana, runs through some of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Start this trail in Eyer Park west of the Bell Street Bridge. Follow city sidewalks and streets to explore the Kendrick and Meade Avenue neighborhoods.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
You may want to consider starting your fishing expedition near Salmon, Idaho. The Salmon River meanders through the second-largest gorge in North America in the Lewis and Clark SRMA, and it is a fantastic place to go steelhead trout fishing. The river also is a great place to go rafting. If you are looking for a family-friendly area, consider the Salmon area, but if you are ready for challenging conditions, head west of North Fork.
The Lemhi Range is an exciting place to go rock climbing, with the East Ridge being one of the most classical climbs in Idaho. This climb starts a little south of Diamond Peak, which is the fourth-highest mountain in the state. Top ropes may be necessary for some locations while most of the climb can be done without their help. This is especially a popular location in the winter when many people choose to climb the route using an ice axe.
The Redfish Lake Recreation Complex is a great area to view wildlife. This complex is enormous, so follow some of the trails to see deer, bighorn sheep, and black bears. Consider taking a canoe out on the lake that takes its name from the salmon, which used to use this as a breeding ground. Stop at the visitor center to learn more about the efforts to stock the fish in this area.
Consider taking a drive along the Mesa Falls Scenic Highway. Stop at the Mesa Falls Visitor Center to have a picnic. This site is home to the last two waterfalls in Idaho where the water has not been used for irrigation or energy production. There are picnic tables and trails to hike to get a closer view of the waterfalls.
BLM RV camping is not available at Lewis and Clark SRMA. When doing an Internet search for "BLM camping near me," consider options within the Sawtooth National Forest near Livingston. One possible choice is the North Fork Campground, where camping is available from May to October. This campground is very near the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
There are Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities near Lewis and Clark SRMA. One possible option is the Warm Slough Campsite, which the Henry Fork borders on three sides. If you have children, they will love floating on paddleboards at this location near Rexburg. Since it is a circle drive featuring campsites with fire rings and picnic tables all along it, any size RV should easily be able to use this location for BLM RV camping.
BLM camping is a fun adventure, but you will want to take time to prepare before you arrive. If you plan on fly-fishing, you will need to bring your gear. It is usually best to use what the fish are eating naturally during that time of year. Consider using nymph stoneflies in the spring or salmon flies in the summer.
Remember to watch the weather, especially since it may be difficult to get weather alerts on your cellphone in this remote location. Many campgrounds close as early as September. Much of the area has a few days of snow followed by temperatures warm enough to melt some of it. Then it may freeze on the roads, causing ice that can be very difficult to see.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
You will find trash service very limited or nonexistent in most areas of the Lewis and Clark SRMA. Therefore, it is essential to think about how you will transport your trash to dispose of it properly. While camping, keep all debris inside a vehicle so that it does not attract wild animals at night.
The Lewis and Clark SRMA covers thousands of acres. A great way to approach your visit is to start at Discovery Hill, near the town of Salmon. From downtown Salmon, go north two miles on St. Charles Road. Once the road becomes gravel, you will see an information kiosk and a trailhead.
Address: Discovery Hill, Salmon, Idaho 83467
Ready to visit Lewis and Clark SRMA? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step-guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
