Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Madison County, Montana.
Lee Metcalf Wilderness is a protected mountain area in Montana that divides into four separate sections totaling around 254,000 acres. The land features jagged mountain ranges, alpine lakes nestled between peaks, extensive forests, and exposed rocky ridges that create a rugged and complex terrain.
Congress designated this wilderness in 1983 to honor Lee Metcalf, a Montana congressman who fought to protect these mountain lands from development. The creation reflected growing efforts in that era to safeguard the northern Rocky Mountain region.
Native people lived in these mountains for generations, and signs of their presence remain visible through archaeological sites scattered throughout the region. Visitors walking the trails can sense the deep connection these communities had with the land.
Visitors need permits for camping and fishing, and no motorized vehicles are allowed to keep the land in its natural state. Come prepared with proper gear and supplies since the remote location offers few services and mountain weather can change quickly.
This area has one of the densest populations of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states, making it a rare stronghold for this powerful predator. Alongside wolves, mountain lions, and Canadian lynx, it remains one of the few places where large predators still roam in significant numbers.
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