Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is a 28,460-acre wilderness area in Lewis and Clark County, Montana. It rises from about 3,705 to 7,970 ft. The nearest town is York, 8 miles away in a straight line.
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness map
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Agency fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.
Common questions
- The maximum group size at Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is 15.
- York, MT is the nearest town, 8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is about 7,970 ft, and its lowest about 3,705 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Moors Mountain, about 7,970 ft.
Who manages Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 28,460 | Not on record | 15 | Not on record | Helena Ranger District, 406-449-5201 |
Getting to Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
- York, MT is the nearest town, 8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Trailheads at Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
- Hunters Gulch Trailhead (0.73 mi outside the boundary, 4,087 ft), at 46.8194, -111.8167
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-30. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
- Moors Mountain summit
- Candle Mountain summit
- Sheep Mountain summit
- Picnic Canyon canyon
- Kennedy Spring spring
- Turnout Spring spring
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-30. Summit elevations measured on the USGS 3DEP elevation model, which can read a few feet under a surveyed summit height.
Public lands next to Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
- National forestGates of the Mountains Wilderness lies inside Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in Montana
- wilderness.net (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- apps.fs.usda.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
The sentences on this page are generated by software from the sourced records above, not written by hand. How this content is made.