600 Acres of National Forestland Secured at Montana’s Boulder Lakes, Preserving Backcountry Recreation

Updated Nov. 20, 2025: Adds comment from Sen. Daines. 

MADISON COUNTY, Mont. — Hunters, anglers, hikers and campers in Montana’s Tobacco Root Mountains will continue to have access to recreational opportunities thanks to swift action by The Conservation Fund, which just added nearly 600 acres of land to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. The property provides habitat for a variety of species and is the gateway to Lower and Upper Boulder Lakes, which deliver unparalleled high-elevation fishing opportunities. 

“Montanans love our public lands, and The Conservation Fund recognizes that we all have a role to play in protecting them for future generations,” says Gary Sullivan, Montana state director for The Conservation Fund.

Access to the lakes winds about four miles through alpine forest and granite basins, offering a moderate hike with sweeping mountain scenery. The high-elevation lakes support native trout populations and provide reliable late-season hunting opportunities in the rugged Tobacco Root backcountry. 

The previous landowner allowed road access to Boulder Lakes across their land through an informal agreement. When they decided to sell the property, The Conservation Fund stepped in to buy the site in 2024 to ensure that this critical inholding would continue to be managed for public access as public land — now, and for generations to come. 

This transaction was funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was permanently funded in 2020 by the Great American Outdoors Act and reinvests a small percentage of offshore energy revenues — not taxpayer dollars — to permanently protect conservation and recreation access projects that support critical natural resources, wildlife habitats, historic sites and working lands. LWCF funds were provided with the support of the United States congressional delegations representing this project area: U.S Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke. 

“As a lifelong sportsman, protecting and promoting access to Montana’s beautiful public lands has always been one of my top priorities. I was proud to pass the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020 which permanently reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and I’m thrilled to see that access to the Boulder Lakes will be provided.  I commend the Conservation Fund for their work on this project, so that Montana’s great outdoors are accessible for all to enjoy,” says Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont.

“Connecting Montana’s patchwork of public and private lands is the kind of problem the Land and Water Conservation Fund was created to solve,” says Sullivan. “We applaud Montana’s congressional delegation for supporting this project and look forward to partnering with them on many more.” 

About The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org. 

Contact
Media Contact: media@conservationfund.org