History of Flathead National Forest

The rugged, beautiful wilderness found in the protected parks and forests around Flathead Lake is part of what makes the area so extraordinary. At more than twice the size of Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest is one of northwestern Montana’s largest and most influential protected landscapes. The interesting history of Flathead National Forest is intertwined with Montana’s proud traditions of indigenous presence, pioneering, and conservation.

Where is Flathead National Forest?

Flathead National Forest is a 2.4-million-acre national forest in Northwest Montana. Parts of Flathead National Forest border Flathead Lake while other sections border Glacier National Park. You can see a map of Flathead National Forest land here. 

Indigenous People

Indigenous tribes, mostly the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreille, have resided in the Flathead National Forest for thousands of years, long before the arrival of European and American settlers. They used the forests, rivers, and mountain passes for hunting, fishing, trade, and seasonal migration.

Exploration and Exploitation

In the 19th century, Montana’s history was shaped by an era of pioneering, as explorers travelled west to conquer the vast wilderness and extract valuable resources from the region. Fur trappers came first, followed by miners, prospectors, homesteaders, and loggers. With the arrival of the Great Northern Railway in the late 1800s, the demand for timber increased. The boom in the logging industry caused a rapid growth in the population of settlers, resulting in the formation of towns.

A Focus on Conservation

By the late 1800’s, concern was rising within the US Congress that the nation’s wild landscapes were being overexploited. Thus, they began granting protected status to some of these spaces, and in 1897, the two forest reserves that would later become known as the Flathead National Forest were established. Then, in 1906, the forest came under the protection of the newly formed U.S. Forest Service.

While exploring the south fork of the Flathead River in the 1920s, Bob Marshall, a senior official in the US Forest Service and an important figure in the history of Flathead National Forest, felt that the area, and others like it in the country, should remain permanently free of all development, including roads. He used his authority to block road construction and advocate for protections for roadless lands in the Flathead. His work helped create the Wilderness Act of 1964, which established the Bob Marshall Wilderness (known as “the Bob” by locals) and the Great Bear Wilderness. Today, this region is the fifth-largest roadless wilderness in the lower 48 states.

Exploring Flathead National Forest

To discover the most remote and untouched areas of the forest, you’ll have to leave the car behind! Hiking is a great option, but exploring the forest by boat is an immersive and unforgettable experience. While motorized boats are only permitted on the larger lakes within the protected area, sailing allows you to appreciate the history of Flathead National Forest by cruising on the quieter, more secluded waters. Check out these sailboat rental options, and if you’re curious about learning to sail on the Flathead, we offer ASA sailing courses for those new to sailing as well as for sailors with experience!