Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Acquires 572 Acres in Tobacco Root Mountains

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has completed the acquisition of a 572‑acre inholding in the Tobacco Root Mountains, securing new public access and protecting key wildlife habitat in a high‑demand recreation area. The purchase was finalized on Aug. 3, 2026, using fiscal year 2026 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) dollars. The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit organization, partnered with the Forest Service and played a crucial role in facilitating the transaction with local landowners, first purchasing and protecting the land to make the Forest Service’s acquisition possible. The acquisition builds on previous conservation successes in the Tobacco Root Mountains under the same partnership, including the Westphal Parks property (589 acres) acquired with fiscal 2024 LWCF funds and the Boulder Lakes Access project (583 acres) purchased with fiscal 2025 LWCF funds. “The Tobacco Root Mountains are a remarkable landscape that provides critical habitat for wildlife and offers generations of Montanans opportunities to hunt, fish, hike and experience the outdoors. Conserving these lands marks an investment in our state’s natural beauty and the places that our local communities know and love,” said Gary Sullivan, Montana senior advisor at The Conservation Fund. Located at the headwaters of the South Boulder River drainage, the newly acquired parcel eliminates a large private inholding and opens an additional 572 acres of public land for year‑round recreation. The area is known for its alpine lakes and extensive backcountry trail opportunities that attract both motorized and nonmotorized users. By securing access via the McGovern Creek Trail to the existing Curly Lake Trail system, the Forest now offers expanded opportunities for hiking, skiing, camping, horseback riding, hunting, wildlife viewing, ATV riding and biking. “I am very proud of the numerous acquisitions in the Tobacco Roots in recent years. Adding this land to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is a win for the recreating public. This all happens because of partner organizations like The Conservation Fund and willing landowners with a conservation vision”, said Tim Lahey, Butte district ranger.  The property also lies within a key grizzly bear connectivity corridor linking the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems. The land provides important summer range for elk, mule deer and moose, as well as year-round habitat for mountain goats and numerous migratory bird species. Acquiring the parcel prevents future development that could fragment habitat in this sensitive landscape. For more information about the Mammoth acquisition, contact the Butte Ranger District at 406‑494‑2147.About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with Tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.