Bitterroot Valley
The complete outdoor recreation guide to the Bitterroot Valley, Bitterroot National Forest, Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Montana
According to Flathead Indian legend, the bitterroot flower, from which the valley, mountains, wilderness, national forest and river take their names, was created when one morning at dawn, the rising sun found an old woman weeping by the river for her starving people. The sun took pity on her and sent a beautiful guardian bird to comfort her. “Your tears will cause a new plant to rise,” said the bird. “The flower will have the white color of your hair and the rose of my wing feathers. Though you’ll find the root bitter from your sorrow, it will nourish you.”
And the Bitterroot has been nourishing minds, souls and bodies ever since people have discovered this magical place.
Bitterroot Valley, Montana
A place of stunning beauty along with endless recreational opportunities.
The Bitterroot Valley lies between the Bitterroot
and Sapphire Mountain ranges. The Bitterroot National Forest surrounds the Bitterroot Valley and contains the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness along the west side. The Bitterroot National Forest contains 1.6 million acres of outdoor playgrounds. The heavily glaciated, jagged, rocky peaks and deep canyons of the Bitterroot
Mountains contrast sharply with the more docile rolling hills of the Sapphire
Mountains to the east. Combined with the Frank
Church River of No Return Wilderness ( bordering the Selway-Bitterroot
Wilderness in Idaho) and the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness (on the southern end of the Bitterroot
Valley) the Bitterroot Valley is neighbor to the largest combination of unspoiled,
designated “Wilderness Areas” in the lower 48 States. All of this wilderness
adds up to some terrific big game hunting, upland bird hunting, waterfowl hunting, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, fly fishing, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and rock climbing opportunities.
The area surrounding
the Bitterroot Valley holds substantial populations of Elk & Whitetail Deer. There are also Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat and Mule Deer. The opportunities for bird watching, wildlife photography
and wildlife viewing are outstanding.
For the less adventurous, the communities in the Bitterroot Valley have unique bitterroot valley events throughout the year with a distinct western flavor.
While visiting the Bitterroot Valley your lodging choices are numerous. You can choose from hotels, bed & breakfasts, “Dude Ranches”, lodges, to primitive campgrounds. There are riverfront fishing lodges, “Wilderness” camping, Forest Service cabins, fine hotels and quaint bed & breakfasts. Whatever your flavor the Bitterroot Valley can accomodate you in western style.
