Quick Tips
- Use GPS maps
- Carry extra fuel, water and food
- Watch for early snow storms
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-130" | 150"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | N/A | 110"+ |
| Elk | N/A | 300"+ |
On The Ground
This district is in Jefferson County north of Butte and west of Interstate 15. Deer Lodge National Forest offers thousands of acres of public access. Near Boulder are some sections of BLM lands that provide additional public access. The Continental Divide establishes the western boundary.
Whitetail bucks can be found along Bison Creek and Boulder River and the creeks that flow into these drainages. Look for mature mule deer bucks up along the Continental Divide until the snow depth forces them lower. Bull’s may be close to the Boulder River all year round taking advantage of the lush grasses or up in the mountain slopes and basins on the eastern side of the divide.
Terrain
Thunderbolt Mountain sits along the Continental Divide at an elevation of 8,597 feet and joins a number of peaks that are between 7,000 and 8,500 feet. The Boulder River and Basin Creek are the main drainage carrying rain and snowmelt to the Jefferson River some miles to the east. Cataract Basin, Occidental Plateau, Bluebird Flats, Champion Pass, Boulder Chief Park and many named gulches help define the landscape. Many of the mountains have been mined leaving behind large areas of tailings and rocky slopes.
Roughly 275 square miles
81.1% public land
Elevations from 5,100-8,700 feet
Vegetation
Dense forest of spruce, fir and pine cover the mountain slopes. Exposed ridges have clusters of mountain mahogany, sagebrush, bitterbrush and other mountain shrubs. Aspen grooves can be found nestled in moist basins and draws. Boulder River is lined with willows, stands of cottonwoods and hay fields. Below 6,000 feet are short grasses mixed with areas of pinyon/juniper and sagebrush.
Access
A good system of Forest Service roads make access into the district possible with either two wheel drive with high clearance or four wheel drive in dry weather. Heavy snow or rain will make secondary roads hard to travel without the aid of four wheel drive. Roads to National Forest campgrounds along the Boulder River can be reach by cars and suv’s. Boulder River Road, Basin Creek, Lowland Road and Kit Carson Road are maintained dirt roads that connect to many secondary Forest Service roads.
Use Continental Scenic trail to access the highest peaks
Camping and Lodging
Deerlodge National Forest offers a number of developed campgrounds along the Boulder River, Basin Creek and Lowland Road. Camping in an area, campsite or developed campground is limited to 16 accumulated days within any 30 day period. Butte, located along Interstate 94 and 15 provides a wide variety of motels, cafés and restaurants, services including medical facility, a regional airport and gas and diesel. Boulder is a smaller community on Interstate 15 providing limited food, motels and gas or diesel.
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