Rattlesnake Wilderness Map

The Rattlesnake Wilderness Map produced by the US Forest Service contains the most up-to-date information on access roads, trails, campsites, terrain, and points of interest within the Rattlesnake Wilderness and National Recreation Area. All wilderness maps contain contour lines, and the vast majority contain a topographic quad index, planning tips and contact phone numbers.

The southern boundary of the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness (RNRAW) is just four miles north of Missoula, Montana. The National Recreation Area (NRA) receives heavy human use, but primarily in the South Zone, within about three miles of the main trailhead. Far fewer people venture into The Rattlesnake Wilderness which is in the more remote northern portion of the RNRAW. A primitive road leaves the main trailhead into the RNRAW along Rattlesnake Creek and head up a NRA corridor to within about three miles of a scenic Wilderness cluster of high alpine lakes. Near the NRA entrance at about 3,600 feet, the elevation rises to 8,620 feet on McLeod Peak and a picturesque mountain setting.

Deer, elk, coyotes, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black bears, grizzly bears, moose, and mountain lions reside in the Rattlesnake. Birds include eagles, hawks, ospreys, and wide variety of songbirds. Most of the wilderness lies in the Northern Continental Divide Grizzly Bear Recovery Area. Grizzly bears, while not common are regularly reportedly in the upper Wilderness. Bear proof food storage is required in all of the NRA and wilderness.

The northern boundary of the wilderness abuts the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Indian Reservation, upon whose sacred ground only tribal members are allowed.

Wilderness information courtesy of Wilderness.net