Lee Metcalf Wilderness

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Lee Metcalf Wilderness

If you are in southwest Montana and are searching for where to find BLM camping near me, the Lee Metcalf Wilderness is one possible option. You can camp for up to 14 days for free or at a minimal cost at this location in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, just like you can at other Bureau of Land Management campgrounds across Montana. This location is divided into four sections with the Bear Trap Canyon section managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the other three units managed by the National Forest Service under very similar rules.

Elk hunting is popular in this wilderness area that covers more than 259,000 acres, but you can find many other nearby activities, including fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Bear Trap Canyon is located less than 80 miles from Yellowstone National Park and less than 164 miles from Grand Teton National Park.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Beaverponds Trail #105

This trail starts off U.S. Route 2 in the Thompson Park Municipal Recreation Area. It winds through drainage areas from several old beaver ponds. While you can hike along this trail, it is especially popular with mountain bikers. In places, it runs along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

Length: 2.67 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Gold Creek Trail #152

This trail starts off Pioneers Mountain Scenic Byway #73. It begins by following Gold Creek, and you will walk across a puncheon bridge. Then, it runs across several creeks before running alongside a lodgepole pine forest and entering a meadow. Finally, you will climb steep hills, where you will want to turn around and admire the views of Gold Creek, which looks gold when viewed from above.

Length: 5.6 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Haystack Mountain #82

This hike begins off Forest Road #1538. The road to the trailhead requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle, so if you do not have one, you will need to add another mile to this hike. Once you reach the summit of this trail that runs steeply uphill, beautiful views of Boulder River Valley, Elk Park, and other vistas will be your reward.

Length: 3.6 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

Near Lee Metcalf Wilderness, you will find countless opportunities to fish in the Rock Creek, Madison, Big Hole, Beaverhead, Red Rock, Ruby, and Jefferson rivers. There are numerous mountain lakes, including Wade, Branham, and Elk lakes. Anglers often catch arctic grayling, westslope cutthroat, and bull trout. The nine miles of Madison River running through this wilderness is an ideal place to go whitewater rafting.

Climbing

Beehive Basin, about an hour south of Bozeman, is a fantastic place to go climbing. There are numerous routes up the southeast face of this basin. Usually, climbers scale the face and use the rappel guides to rappel back down near Mountain Village.

Wildlife Viewing

If you want to see elk, head to the area surrounding Wall Cabin in the spring and fall. Another fantastic place to see wildlife is the Cliff Point Campground, where you will often see animals coming in at night and in the morning to get a drink. You may see moose and otters in this area.

Picnicking

Several day-use areas in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest are great places for a picnic. Near Cameron, consider the Bear Creek Campground and Picnic Area. The Branham Lakes Campground and Picnic Area near Sheridan is another excellent choice.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping is not available at Lee Metcalf Wilderness, but there are sites nearby within Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. If you love RV camping by a lake, then consider Cliff Point Campground or Wade Lake Campground and Picnic Area. Note that both campgrounds have no cell service or hookups.

Free Camping

There are Bureau of Land Management free camping spots within Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest near Lee Metcalf Wilderness. One option is Cottonwood Campground. If this campground gets full, you can boondock in its two overflow campgrounds.

RV Rentals Near Lee Metcalf Wilderness Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Lee Metcalf Wilderness BLM trip

You will need to think about bear safety when visiting the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. There are special food storage requirements that you need to comply with when visiting this site. All food must be kept within 100 feet of a person. At night, all food must be kept in a hard-sided vehicle, like your RV, or suspended at least 10 feet off the ground. This requirement also includes pet food and personal hygiene products. Proper food storage containers can be obtained from the nearest ranger station, or you may find them near some campgrounds.

After cooking, be sure to burn any food off grills that you use, or move the grills inside at night to avoid attracting animals. It's also important to wash and change clothes so that no food odor remains on you.

BLM camping can be a fun experience because it offers a chance to explore an area without many people around. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

If you bring it into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, then you need to take it out. Over the last few years, bears have become a particular issue in this area. Protect them, yourself, and others by being sure that you clean up after yourself. Bears who are used to relying on human food lose their natural hunting instincts and become very aggressive. In addition to packing out trash, it's also important that you do not disturb the natural environment. Tread lightly, and be sure to stay on established trails when exploring.

Lee Metcalf Wilderness Location

Over 300 miles of trails and more than two dozen trailheads provide access to the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. From the west, you can access the area via U.S. Highway 287 from Ennis toward West Yellowstone. If you want to enter the east side of the wilderness, you can do so via U.S. Highway 191 between Bozeman and West Yellowstone.

Address: Cameron, MT 59720

Ready to visit Lee Metcalf Wilderness? 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.