Unit 304 District 304 (Region 3)
Wilderness elk and mountain goats in the Spanish Peaks, from Beartrap Canyon to Big Sky.
Spanish Peaks / Madison Range — Region 3 · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
439
sq mi
Public land
80%
approx.
Elevation
4,800–11,015
feet
Motorized
wilderness
access
Overview
District 304 (Spanish Peaks) spans the northern Madison Range across Madison and Gallatin Counties, running from Norris and the lower Madison's Beartrap Canyon east to the Gallatin River and south toward Big Sky. Its heart is the Spanish Peaks portion of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness — high granite peaks, alpine lakes, and deep timbered drainages inside the Custer Gallatin National Forest. This is trophy-caliber, largely roadless mountain country where elk, mule deer, mountain goats, and moose share rugged habitat, and much of the elk hunting is limited-permit. Public land is abundant, but it is steep, remote, and hard-earned.
Terrain
Dramatic vertical relief from the lower Madison River canyon near 4,800 ft up to glaciated granite peaks above 11,000 ft (Gallatin Peak) in the Spanish Peaks.
Cover: Sagebrush and grassland on the lower Madison benches, Douglas-fir and lodgepole across the mid-elevations, spruce-fir subalpine forest, and alpine tundra, talus, and cliffs up high.
Landmarks: Spanish Peaks · Lee Metcalf Wilderness · Gallatin Peak · Beartrap Canyon (lower Madison River) · Gallatin River · Big Sky / West Fork Gallatin · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Access
Dominated by Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Spanish Peaks Unit), so public access is excellent — but the wilderness core is foot-and-horse only. BLM manages the Beartrap Canyon Wilderness reach of the lower Madison. Private ranchland lines the Madison and Gallatin valley edges and canyon mouths; some parcels are enrolled in FWP's Block Management program, and DNRC state trust ground is open with a conservation/recreation permit. Trailheads off the valley floors are the way in.
Managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, BLM, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management
Access points: Spanish Creek trailhead (Custer Gallatin NF) · Gallatin Canyon / US 191 trailheads · Beartrap Canyon (lower Madison) BLM access · Norris / Highway 84 corridor · Big Sky / West Fork Gallatin approaches
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common trophyThe marquee draw — elk range the Spanish Peaks timber and high basins, with quality bulls in the wilderness backcountry. Much of the opportunity is limited-permit.
- →Backpack or pack in to high wilderness basins away from trailhead pressure
- →Bugle and glass timbered parks in the September archery rut
- →Follow snow lines in late season as elk shift toward lower winter range
- →Expect to earn it on foot in steep, roadless country
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer occupy everything from lower sage benches to alpine basins, with mature bucks holding in the high, broken wilderness country.
- →Glass alpine basins and rocky rims for high-country bucks
- →Work timbered stringers between open slopes
- →Hunt lower sage and canyon breaks in late season snow
Mountain Goat
limited trophyThe Spanish Peaks hold mountain goats on their cliffs and alpine crags — a prized limited-permit tag in classic goat terrain.
- →Glass high rock faces, ledges, and talus near the peaks
- →Plan a serious backcountry approach and technical, steep terrain
- →Judge horns carefully before committing to a stalk
Moose
limited qualityShiras moose use willow bottoms, wet drainages, and subalpine meadows; a coveted limited-permit species.
- →Hunt willow flats and beaver-pond complexes along the creeks
- →Glass wet meadows and drainage heads at dawn and dusk
Whitetail Deer
limited opportunityWhitetail hold in the lower Madison and Gallatin river bottoms and ag edges, thinning fast as the ground rises into the range.
- →Still-hunt river-bottom cottonwood and brush
- →Hunt ag-and-cover edges during the November rut
- →Focus low; whitetail don't climb into the wilderness core
Bighorn Sheep
limited qualityBighorn sheep use rugged escape terrain in the lower Madison canyon country; a rare, tightly limited tag.
- →Glass rocky canyon walls and rims in the Beartrap/lower Madison area
- →Expect very limited permits and long glassing days
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bear work berry brush, avalanche chutes, and timbered slopes across the range; good spring and fall opportunity.
- →Glass green-up avalanche paths in spring
- →Key on berry patches and mast in fall
- →Identify species and color phase carefully — grizzlies share this range
Cougar
common qualityStrong lion numbers track the deer and elk herds; a winter hound-and-snow pursuit.
- →Cut fresh tracks along ridges and roads after snow
- →Follow deer and elk wintering areas at lower elevations
Pro tips
- →Get well past the trailheads — the wilderness core rewards those who backpack or pack in
- →Watch snow lines late in the season to intercept elk and deer moving to lower ground
- →Know your limited-permit status before you plan; much of the elk and all goat/sheep hunting is draw-only
- →Study the wilderness boundary for motorized and access rules before you go
- →Plan pack-out logistics in advance — this is steep, roadless country far from the road
Watch out for
- !Lee Metcalf Wilderness is foot-and-horse only — no motorized or mechanized access
- !Grizzly bears are present in the Madison Range (part of the Greater Yellowstone landscape) — carry bear spray and hunt as if in grizzly country
- !Extremely steep, high terrain with hard pack-outs and fast-changing alpine weather
- !Valley and canyon-mouth private ground requires Block Management or landowner permission
Logistics
Bozeman is the full-service hub (airport, lodging, groceries, gas, FWP regional office) with Big Sky, Gallatin Gateway, Norris, and Ennis providing closer fuel and limited services. Reaching the hunting is the challenge: plan for trailhead-based backcountry trips on foot or horseback into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, and budget serious time for access and pack-outs.
Nearest towns: Big Sky, Bozeman, Norris, Ennis, Gallatin Gateway
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Montana sources:
Research sources: MTFWP 2026-2027 Legal Descriptions (HD 304 Spanish Peaks) · MTFWP Region 3 (Southwest Montana) · USFS Custer Gallatin National Forest / Lee Metcalf Wilderness
FAQ
- How big is Unit 304 in Montana?
- Unit 304 (District 304 (Region 3)) covers about 439 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,800 to 11,015 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 304?
- Approximately 80% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Custer Gallatin NF, USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, BLM, MT DNRC state trust, private ranch + Block Management. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 304?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Goat, Moose, Whitetail Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Black Bear, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Montana agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
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