Scapegoat Wilderness

Scapegoat Wilderness is a 259,785-acre federally protected Wilderness Area in Montana, managed by the Forest Service. It is primitive backcountry where roads, motors, and mechanized travel are prohibited—the landscape exists in its natural state, free from development and machinery. The terrain offers opportunities for backpacking and hiking across non-motorized trails and cross-country travel through undeveloped country.

Visiting means embracing the rules and ethics of wilderness travel. Leave No Trace principles are essential: pack out everything you pack in, camp on durable surfaces away from water sources, and travel quietly to preserve solitude and wildlife. There are no facilities, marked campsites, or services inside the boundary. Access is typically via trailheads on the periphery; the season is short, with summer and early fall offering the most reliable conditions. Spring and late fall snowfall and difficult travel make those months unpredictable. Winter travel requires snow-travel skills and cold-weather gear.