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 some refer to as 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 horse-packing, hunting and fishing, backcountry skiing, and mountain climbing, but much of the interior has no trail. A primary access route into the area is along the Spotted Bear River.
Human use is high.