The upper Middle Fork of the Flathead River rises here and runs Wild and Scenic through the area for about 50 miles, raging below cliff faces and over boulder-strewn rapids in what is sometimes called Montana's wildest waterway. Trout fishing in the Flathead River and in many streams rates as excellent. Elevations range from 4,000 feet on the Middle Fork to 8,705 feet on Great Northern Mountain. More than 300 miles of trails provide access to virtually unlimited backpacking and horsepacking, hunting and fishing, backcountry skiing and mountain climbing opportunities, and much of the interior is wildly without trails. A primary access route into the area is along the Spotted Bear River.
Human use is high.
From Hungry Horse, MT, on the northern end of Hungry Horse Reservoir, take Forest Service Road 895 south along the west side of the reservoir approximately 55 miles to the Spotted Bear Ranger Station. July through September. Flathead National Forest 1935 Third Ave. Click here to find out how. Copyright Rodale, Inc. 2001.