Summary
It covers over 2.2 million acres and is home to a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears and wolves. There are several reasons to visit the forest, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife watching.
One of the most popular attractions in the forest is Yellowstone National Park, which is located on its southern border. Visitors can also explore the forest's many trails, including the Continental Divide Trail and the Gallatin Crest Trail. Other points of interest include the Hyalite Reservoir, the Gallatin River, and the Spanish Peaks.
Gallatin National Forest has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 10,000 years. The forest was officially established in 1899 and has been managed by the US Forest Service ever since.
The best time of year to visit the forest depends on what activities you plan to do. Summer is a popular time for hiking, camping, and fishing, while fall is a great time to see the changing colors of the leaves. Winter offers opportunities for skiing and snowmobiling, and spring is a good time for wildlife watching.
Overall, Gallatin National Forest is a beautiful and diverse destination with something to offer for every type of outdoor enthusiast.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Big Springs Campground
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Big Springs
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Firehole Meadows
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Firehole Falls
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Buffalo Lake
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Imperial Meadows
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