- Region
- MT, USA
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm permit requirements and current fo…
- Managed by
- U.S. Forest Service — Helena-Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests; Rocky Mountain, Lincoln, and Seeley Lake Ranger Districts.
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Photos of Scapegoat Wilderness
How to get there
Scapegoat Wilderness lies about 75 miles northeast of Missoula, Montana. Access is via Forest Service roads reached from U.S. Highway 287 and Montana highways 200 and 83. These highways are approach corridors, not trailheads; confirm the specific Forest Service road, trailhead location, and current road conditions with the managing ranger district before driving.
- U.S. Highway 287 approach corridor
One of the highway corridors used to reach Forest Service roads serving Scapegoat Wilderness. Select and verify a specific trailhead before departure rather than navigating to the wilderness boundary.
- Montana Highway 200 approach corridor
Forest Service roads off Montana Highway 200 provide approaches toward the wilderness. Confirm the road and trailhead appropriate to the planned itinerary with the managing ranger district.
- Montana Highway 83 approach corridor
Another highway corridor for reaching wilderness access via Forest Service roads. Check the chosen road’s current condition and its connection to the intended trail before setting out.
Sources: fs.usda.gov · University of Montana / federal agency partners · Wilderness Connect / federal wilderness boundary inventory · Wikipedia. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
MT, USA · United States
- Hunting
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Limestone ridges and river headwaters
Scapegoat Wilderness occupies 239,936 acres in Montana’s Helena-Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests. Designated in 1972 after a grassroots community effort, it shares its long northwest boundary with the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Together with Great Bear Wilderness, these areas form the more than 1.5-million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Scapegoat’s defining feature is the limestone cliff country around 9,204-foot Scapegoat Mountain, an extension of the Bob Marshall’s Chinese Wall. Rugged ridges descend into alpine meadows, forested hillsides, and timbered river bottoms. Elevations range from about 5,000 feet along the Blackfoot River to about 9,400 feet on Red Mountain. That vertical range matters when planning a trip: conditions in a sheltered river valley may differ substantially from those on an exposed ridge.
Backpacking and horseback travel
Backpacking and horse travel are established ways to explore Scapegoat. The Continental Divide Trail crosses the wilderness roughly north to south, while other trails generally follow its streams and rivers. The landscape includes the headwaters of the Dearborn River, South Fork of the Sun River, Landers Fork of the Blackfoot River, and North Fork of the Blackfoot River. These drainages offer useful geographic anchors for planning, but a river name alone is not enough to establish a trail itinerary. Choose a mapped trail, confirm its access, and check current conditions before committing to a loop or through-trip. Fourteen lakes and extensive streams add fishing possibilities. For a first visit, prioritize a route suited to the group’s experience rather than trying to combine river bottoms, high ridges, and distant headwaters in one trip.
Bear country and practical preparation
Scapegoat supports numerous grizzly bears as well as black bears, moose, elk, deer, mountain goats, mountain sheep, mountain lions, and wolverines. Treat food and other attractant storage as a central part of trip planning, not an afterthought at camp. Check the Forest Service’s current food-storage order and wilderness restrictions, including camping rules, before departure. Give wildlife space and avoid approaching animals for photographs. Potable water is not available; carry a treatment method for water collected from lakes and streams. Pack for changing mountain weather and the contrast between forested valleys and exposed alpine terrain. Confirm any permit requirements with the managing ranger district. Scapegoat is managed by the Rocky Mountain, Lincoln, and Seeley Lake Ranger Districts, so direct access and trail-condition questions to the district responsible for the chosen approach.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Scapegoat Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 47.3015, -112.8149
- Latitude (DMS)
- 47° 18′ 5.5″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 112° 48′ 53.8″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Scapegoat Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
The Scapegoat Wilderness is part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Located in Northwestern Montana on both sides of the Continental Divide, this large complex includes three Wilderness areas: the...
Key takeaways
- Region: MT, USA
- Country: United States
- Good for: hiking
- Coordinates: 47.302, -112.815
Intended uses
hiking
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Scapegoat Wilderness
- Hunting
Seasons, tags, and the units that hold animals.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Scapegoat Wilderness
Limestone ridges and river headwaters
Scapegoat Wilderness occupies 239,936 acres in Montana’s Helena-Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests. Designated in 1972 after a grassroots community effort, it shares its long northwest boundary with the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Together with Great Bear Wilderness, these areas form the more than 1.5-million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Scapegoat’s defining feature is the limestone cliff country around 9,204-foot Scapegoat Mountain, an extension of the Bob Marshall’s Chinese Wall. Rugged ridges descend into alpine meadows, forested hillsides, and timbered river bottoms. Elevations range from about 5,000 feet along the Blackfoot River to about 9,400 feet on Red Mountain. That vertical range matters when planning a trip: conditions in a sheltered river valley may differ substantially from those on an exposed ridge.
Backpacking and horseback travel
Backpacking and horse travel are established ways to explore Scapegoat. The Continental Divide Trail crosses the wilderness roughly north to south, while other trails generally follow its streams and rivers. The landscape includes the headwaters of the Dearborn River, South Fork of the Sun River, Landers Fork of the Blackfoot River, and North Fork of the Blackfoot River. These drainages offer useful geographic anchors for planning, but a river name alone is not enough to establish a trail itinerary. Choose a mapped trail, confirm its access, and check current conditions before committing to a loop or through-trip. Fourteen lakes and extensive streams add fishing possibilities. For a first visit, prioritize a route suited to the group’s experience rather than trying to combine river bottoms, high ridges, and distant headwaters in one trip.
Bear country and practical preparation
Scapegoat supports numerous grizzly bears as well as black bears, moose, elk, deer, mountain goats, mountain sheep, mountain lions, and wolverines. Treat food and other attractant storage as a central part of trip planning, not an afterthought at camp. Check the Forest Service’s current food-storage order and wilderness restrictions, including camping rules, before departure. Give wildlife space and avoid approaching animals for photographs. Potable water is not available; carry a treatment method for water collected from lakes and streams. Pack for changing mountain weather and the contrast between forested valleys and exposed alpine terrain. Confirm any permit requirements with the managing ranger district. Scapegoat is managed by the Rocky Mountain, Lincoln, and Seeley Lake Ranger Districts, so direct access and trail-condition questions to the district responsible for the chosen approach.
Route options
- Continental Divide Trail
The Continental Divide Trail travels roughly north to south through Scapegoat Wilderness. Use current maps and district trail information to select a section and establish its entry and exit points; do not assume a convenient loop or road connection.
- North Fork of the Blackfoot River headwaters
A drainage-based trip-planning option within the Lolo National Forest portion of Scapegoat, rather than a specified trail itinerary. The wilderness contains these headwaters, and its trails generally follow streams and rivers. Confirm a mapped route and suitable access with the managing district.
Sample itineraries
- Forest and River Day Hike · 1 day
Choose an out-and-back on a maintained trail through Scapegoat's forested river country. Confirm a suitable trailhead and current conditions with the managing ranger district. Set the turnaround by daylight and conditions rather than trying to reach the high ridges.
- Continental Divide Trail Backpack · 3 days
Use the Continental Divide Trail through Scapegoat as the basis for a three-day backpacking plan. Have the managing district help identify an appropriate segment, access points, and camping options. Match the route to the group's ability; this is a planning framework, not a verified three-day traverse.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; conditions vary with elevation
Plan for lingering mountain snow and cold, wet conditions. Snowmelt can complicate travel along streams and river bottoms. Confirm trail conditions before choosing a route toward the alpine meadows or ridges.
Summer
Summer; confirm high-country conditions
Exposed ridges and alpine meadows require weather protection even when lower forested valleys are warm. Carry layers and check forecasts before committing to high terrain. Treat water collected from lakes and streams.
Fall
Fall; plan around daylight and weather
Prepare for colder nights and possible snow at higher elevations. Keep daily objectives conservative as daylight decreases. Forested river routes and high ridges can require very different clothing and travel plans.
Winter
Winter; verify access and snow conditions
Treat this rugged mountain landscape as a winter backcountry undertaking. Cold, snow, and limited daylight demand additional equipment and experience. Confirm access and consult avalanche information before considering steep, snow-covered terrain.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; conditions vary with elevation | Plan for lingering mountain snow and cold, wet conditions. Snowmelt can complicate travel along streams and river bottoms. Confirm trail conditions before choosing a route toward the alpine meadows or ridges. |
| Summer | Summer; confirm high-country conditions | Exposed ridges and alpine meadows require weather protection even when lower forested valleys are warm. Carry layers and check forecasts before committing to high terrain. Treat water collected from lakes and streams. |
| Fall | Fall; plan around daylight and weather | Prepare for colder nights and possible snow at higher elevations. Keep daily objectives conservative as daylight decreases. Forested river routes and high ridges can require very different clothing and travel plans. |
| Winter | Winter; verify access and snow conditions | Treat this rugged mountain landscape as a winter backcountry undertaking. Cold, snow, and limited daylight demand additional equipment and experience. Confirm access and consult avalanche information before considering steep, snow-covered terrain. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm permit requirements and current food-storage, camping, and wilderness restrictions with the Rocky Mountain, Lincoln, or Seeley Lake Ranger District before departure.
Official source: Flathead National Forest | Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex · Verified November 4, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Grizzly and black bears inhabit Scapegoat. Carry accessible bear spray, keep distance from wildlife, and follow current food and attractant storage requirements.
- Massive limestone cliffs and rugged ridge tops create serious fall exposure. Stay within the group's terrain skills and avoid unplanned cliff descents.
- Elevation ranges from roughly 5,000 to 9,400 feet. Carry protection against cold and changing mountain weather, even for lower-elevation starts.
- Potable water is not available. Treat lake and stream water rather than assuming clear water is safe to drink.
- Numerous streams and river bottoms require careful route assessment. Avoid crossings that exceed the group's ability, especially during snowmelt.
What to pack for Scapegoat Wilderness
- Topographic map and compass
- Offline navigation with backup power
- Headlamp
- First-aid kit and emergency shelter
- Waterproof shell
- Insulating layers
- Warm hat and gloves
- Footwear suited to rugged trails
- Water treatment and carrying capacity
- Accessible bear spray
- Food and attractant storage equipment that meets current agency requirements
Scapegoat Wilderness FAQ
- Where is Scapegoat Wilderness?
- Scapegoat lies in Montana within the Helena-Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests. It shares its northwest boundary with Bob Marshall Wilderness and forms part of the larger Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
- What defines the landscape?
- The limestone cliffs of 9,204-foot Scapegoat Mountain dominate a landscape of rugged ridges, alpine meadows, forested hillsides, and timbered river bottoms. Red Mountain reaches about 9,400 feet. Fourteen lakes and extensive streams add water-focused trip possibilities.
- How should an access point be chosen?
- Forest Service roads off U.S. Highway 287 and Montana highways 200 and 83 provide regional access. Confirm the actual trailhead, road conditions, and route with the managing ranger district before driving; a location inside the wilderness is not necessarily an access point.
- Are bicycles or motor vehicles allowed?
- Motorized and mechanized transportation, including bicycles, is generally prohibited in wilderness. Hiking and horseback travel are established ways to explore Scapegoat. Check current wilderness restrictions before planning a stock trip.
- Who manages Scapegoat and provides trip information?
- The Rocky Mountain, Lincoln, and Seeley Lake Ranger Districts manage Scapegoat. Contact the district responsible for the planned route to confirm trail conditions, access, and current camping and food-storage requirements.
- Does the Continental Divide Trail pass through?
- Yes. The Continental Divide Trail travels roughly north to south through Scapegoat Wilderness. Select a segment using current maps and district guidance rather than assuming the full wilderness crossing fits a short backpacking trip.