Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana.
Limestone cliffs rise perpendicularly from the Missouri River, forming a narrow passage of 150 yards wide through solid rock formations.
The area received its name when Meriwether Lewis documented the passage through these formations during the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805.
Mann Gulch within this wilderness became the subject of Norman Maclean's literature after a devastating fire claimed thirteen firefighters' lives in 1949.
The wilderness spans 28,562 acres with 53 miles of trails, accessible through multiple entry points in the Beaver Creek drainage system.
Natural springs emerge directly from the rock walls at water level, while the 1918 construction of Holter Dam raised the river by 14 feet.
Location: Montana
Operator: United States Forest Service
Address: Helena, MT 59602, USA 59602 Helena 59602 Helena
Website: https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=200
GPS coordinates: 46.88500,-111.89900
Latest update: May 14, 2025 02:23
Montana's natural and historical sites feature lakes, mountains, distilleries, and abandoned mines. The state's attractions include thermal springs, rock formations, Buddhist gardens, historic bridges, and dams. Visitors can find mining ruins, historic prisons, carousels, and wildlife viewing areas across diverse landscapes.
Montana features national parks, lakes, glaciers, and mountain roads. This area includes notable geological sites, natural history museums, historic mining towns, and memorials of the first peoples. The state also houses wildlife conservation centers, underground caves, and freshwater springs. Visitors can discover gold rush heritage through Victorian architecture and old mining towns.
Cathedral of Saint Helena
34.4 km
Hauser Dam
13.4 km
Holter Dam
14.4 km
Canyon Ferry Dam
29.4 km
Confederate Memorial Fountain
34.2 km
Temple Emanu-El
34.4 km
Hardy Bridge
31.8 km
Tower Rock State Park
34.5 km
Helena Montana Temple
29.4 km
Helena Civic Center
34 km
Black Sandy State Park
15.5 km
Kluge House
33 km
W.C. Child Ranch
35.3 km
Hauser Mansion
34.1 km
Lewis and Clark County Hospital Historic District
31.1 km
Porter Flats Apartments
34.7 km
Olsen House
34.3 km
Morris Silverman House
34.5 km
T. H. Kleinschmidt House
34.6 km
Great Northern Carousel
33.7 km
Robert and Elizabeth Fisk House
34.6 km
Young Women's Christian Association
33.9 km
Montana Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building
34.4 km
Mann Gulch Wildfire Historic District
1.3 km
Wick-Seiler House
34.3 km
St John's Lutheran Church (Helena)
33.6 km
Former Montana Executive Mansion
34.7 km
Craig Bridge
21.6 kmReviews
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