Peaks
Quigg Peak
2,539 m
Park geography
Analyzing regional boundaries, forest land cover, and complex mountain topography
Comprehensive Geographic Profile and Terrain Mapping of Lolo National Forest in Montana
Lolo National Forest covers 8894.85 square kilometers of diverse mountainous terrain across Montana. This geography profile details the physical landscape, including major peaks like Quigg Peak, stream networks such as Rock Creek, and extensive temperate coniferous forests within its protected boundaries.
Related tags
national forestMontanaRocky Mountainswestern red cedarold-growth forest
A vast western Montana national forest of transitional ecology, tall western red cedars, and historic trails.
Lolo National Forest
Lolo National Forest is a large national forest in western Montana, with its western boundary running along the Idaho state line. Stretching across roughly 2 million acres of mountainous terrain west of the Continental Divide, the forest sits in a transitional zone where continental interior weather meets moist maritime air from the Pacific. This climatic blend gives Lolo an unusually diverse mix of plant and tree communities for a single national forest. The forest is defined by its mix of four designated wilderness areas, its deeply forested valleys, and its historic travel corridors. It surrounds the city of Missoula, Montana, where its headquarters are located, and reaches from the Northern Rockies ridges along the Idaho border into the headwaters of rivers that drain westward. The presence of the Lolo National Historic Trail, the Ninemile area, and the old Savenac nursery gives the forest a strong cultural and historical identity in addition to its ecological one. Lolo is particularly notable for the size of its western red cedar trees, which grow larger here than anywhere else in Montana. Together with larch, whitebark pine, and a variety of spruce and fir species, the forest hosts a wide range of wildlife, from grizzly bears and elk to bald and golden eagles. Its combination of scale, ecological diversity, and cultural heritage makes it one of the most significant national forests in the northern Rockies.
- Location
- United States of America
- Park type
- Protected area
- Established
- 1906
- Area
- 8,894.9 km²
- Highest point
- 2,800 m
Location overview
Administered within the United States of America and Montana
Geographic Setting and Regional Location of Lolo National Forest
Lolo National Forest spans recorded territory within the United States of America and the state of Montana. Administrative records confirm its sovereign country and regional membership status within the protected lands network.
- Countries
- United States of America
- Regions
- Montana
- Primary location
- Montana
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Boundary and coordinates
Mapped spatial outline and derived spatial dimensions
Lolo National Forest Boundary Map and Geographic Extent
Interactive mapped outlines establish clear spatial context for protected boundaries across the region. Accompanying measurements detail total geographic area and coordinate spans without survey precision.
- Boundary area
- 10,010.8 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 2,545.5 km
- Northernmost point
- 48.0085° N
- Southernmost point
- 46.3052° N
- Easternmost point
- 112.7244° W
- Westernmost point
- 115.7593° W
- Geographic centre
- 47.1489° N, 114.4674° W
- North–south span
- 189.4 km
- East–west span
- 230.1 km
Elevation and terrain
Mountain relief data and recorded natural features
Lolo National Forest Terrain and Elevation Summary
This elevation summary outlines the mountain terrain reaching up to two thousand eight hundred meters within Lolo National Forest. Linked feature cards supply names, types, and spatial relationships for recorded peaks and streams.
- Maximum elevation
- 2,800 m
- Highest point
- 2,800 m
Selected named natural features
Streams
Thompson Creek
Streams
Dick Creek
Streams
Rattlesnake Creek
Streams
Little Park Creek
Peaks
Marmot Peak
2,200 m
Environmental setting
Temperate mountain relief, dominant forest cover, and major aquatic systems
Lolo National Forest Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting
Stored classifications combine mountain relief, dominant forest cover, and major water bodies into complementary categories for reading the physical setting. Recorded attributes connect directly to relevant atlas destinations across the protected landscape.
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
- Water
- Major water bodies
- Forest cover
- Dense forest cover
- Seasonality
- Year-round
Landscape features
Mountains · Forest · Lakes · Rivers
Habitat types
Temperate coniferous forest · Montane forest
Park atlas
Compare regional mountain terrain and connected wilderness landscapes
Explore Parks Near Lolo National Forest and Surrounding Protected Areas
Visitors exploring Lolo National Forest can browse adjacent protected areas and neighboring mountain reserves. Comparing regional ecosystems highlights the diverse transition zones across the northern Rocky Mountains.
Protected landscapeMontana
Park boundaries overlap#1 closest
East
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest: Geographic Overview and Protected Area Map
Montana wilderness spanning the Continental Divide
Spanning from the rolling eastern plains to the crest of the Northern Rockies, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest serves as a massive protected landscape in central Montana. This forest system protects eight unique mountain ranges and critical wilderness corridors, offering a comprehensive look at the ecological transition zones of the American Mountain West.
- Area
- 11,000 km²
- Established
- 1897
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
Protected landscapeMontana
Park boundaries overlap#2 closest
Northwest
Kootenai National Forest: Geography and Protected Land Map for Northwestern Montana
Northern Rockies mountain ranges and watershed analysis.
Spanning over two million acres, Kootenai National Forest represents a critical protected landscape in the Northern Rockies. This atlas entry details the interplay between the Cabinet Mountains, regional river systems like the Kootenai and Clark Fork, and the dense conifer forests that define this uniquely wet corner of Montana.
- Area
- 8,900 km²
- Established
- 1907
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
Wildlife reserveMontana
Park boundaries overlap#3 closest
Northeast
Mission Mountains Wilderness: A Rugged Protected Area in the Montana Rocky Mountains
Glacial topography and high elevation alpine ecosystems
Mission Mountains Wilderness is a defining landmark in northwestern Montana, characterized by a steep and narrow mountain spine that rises abruptly above the Flathead Valley. The area protects a full spectrum of ecosystems, from dense coniferous forests to exposed talus slopes and alpine tundra. With its glacially carved cirques and deep U shaped valleys, this wilderness functions as a key component of a larger, jointly managed regional conservation landscape in the United States.
- Area
- 298.97 km²
- Established
- 1975
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Protected landscapeMontana
Mapped location lies within the park boundary#4 closest
Southeast
Rattlesnake National Recreation Area: Geography and Protected Landscape Analysis
A mapped Northern Rockies gateway in western Montana
The recreation area encompasses 28,000 acres of forested mountain terrain, montane wetlands, and creek-carved valleys located just north of Missoula. This protected landscape is defined by its diverse trail network and significant ecological systems, including the rare Sphagnum bogs of Shoo Fly Meadows. The area provides essential habitat for grizzly bears, elk, and bull trout while framing a transition zone into the remote backcountry of the surrounding national forest.
- Area
- 110 km²
- Established
- 1980
- Relief
- Mountain
- Scope
- Terrestrial
Wildlife reserveMontana
Park boundaries overlap#5 closest
East
Rattlesnake Wilderness: Exploring the Protected Landscapes and Geography of Montana
Rugged alpine terrain and roadless mountain wilderness in the Northern Rockies.
Located in the Lolo National Forest of western Montana, Rattlesnake Wilderness protects an essential network of forested slopes, alpine ridges, and drainage headwaters. This roadless wildlife reserve provides an ecologically intact landscape that serves as a core component of the northern Rockies wilderness system, offering a clear view into the rugged relief of the Rattlesnake Mountains and their significant influence on local watersheds.
- Area
- 133.45 km²
- Established
- 1980
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
Protected landscapeIdaho
About 39 km away#6 closest
Northwest
Idaho Panhandle National Forests: Mapping the Inland Pacific Northwest Protected Landscapes
Geographic analysis of mountain ranges and river valley ecosystems
Spanning over 2.5 million acres, the Idaho Panhandle National Forests comprise a massive, interconnected network of mountain ranges, pristine lakes, and river corridors. This detailed look at the geography examines the structural backbone of the Selkirk, Cabinet, and Bitterroot ranges, highlighting the diverse ecological gradients and protected wilderness areas that characterize this significant portion of the inland Northwest.
- Area
- 13,000 km²
- Established
- 1912
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
Protected landscapeIdaho
69 km away#7 closest
South
Salmon, Challis National Forest: Geography and Protected Land Map in Central Idaho
Extensive alpine ridges and wild river corridors
Spanning over 4.2 million acres, Salmon, Challis National Forest is a foundational protected landscape in Idaho. This area includes the highest peaks in the state, such as Borah Peak, and holds the majority of the Frank Church, River of No Return Wilderness. Utilize this atlas resource to examine the intricate mountain topography, expansive river systems, and the contiguous wild corridors that define this significant portion of the northern Rockies.
- Area
- 17,142.2 km²
- Established
- 1908
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate
Wildlife reserveMontana
75 km away#8 closest
East
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness: Montana Protected Landscape and Geographic Overview
Explore Missouri River canyon boundaries and local terrain
Gain insight into the geological drama of Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, a protected reserve in Montana. This atlas entry focuses on the limestone canyon walls and historic river corridors that define the regional geography, offering a structured look at its protected boundaries and terrain.
- Area
- 115.59 km²
- Established
- 1964
- IUCN
- Ib
- Relief
- Mountain
MoriAtlas Explorer
Deepen Your Knowledge of Lolo National Forest and Montana Mountain Geography
Explore the structured data and map context for Lolo National Forest with MoriAtlas. Trace the boundaries of its wilderness areas, examine its unique ecological transitions, and understand how this protected territory fits into the broader geography of the northern Rockies.
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