Ready to get away from it all? Here in Western Montana when we want to truly go off the grid, we head into “The Bob.” Spanning 1.5 million acres across the Continental Divide, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex is the third-largest wilderness area in the lower 48—and one of the most remote and awe-inspiring natural treasures in Montana. Made up of the Bob Marshall, Scapegoat and Great Bear Wilderness areas, The Bob is home to rugged terrain, high alpine meadows and pristine rivers. If a backcountry experience is on your bucket list, this is the place.
PLAN AHEAD + BE PREPARED
Before you plan your trip, it’s important to know that this is true backcountry, and conditions can be demanding. Every backcountry experience requires the right planning, prep and gear, which is why we recommend going with a guide. They’ll not only help you stay safe and prepared, they can also enhance your understanding and enjoyment of this one-of-a-kind place. If you are an experienced backcountry traveler and plan to venture into The Bob without a guide, here’s a good list to help you plan ahead and be prepared—from choosing your gear, route and campsites to filtering your own water and being bear aware.
GUIDED HORSEBACK PACK TRIPS
One of the most popular ways to venture into the wild and rugged Bob Marshall landscape is to embark on a pack trip. On this type of guided adventure, you ride horseback while a string of mules carries your gear. Pack trips can last from just a few days to over a week, and mileage per day depends on the outfitter. Your guides set up camp at high-mountain campsites and prepare meals for you while you enjoy the incredible wilderness scenery.
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY HIKING TRIPS
Prefer to explore by foot? A backcountry hike into The Bob is a rewarding option. For a more comfortable experience, go with a guide on a stock-supported hiking trip—you hike, but horses or mules carry your gear, meaning you only need a light day pack. Guides set up camp and share insights about local geography, wildlife and plants along the way. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the backcountry without the weight of a full backpack.
GUIDED FLY-FISHING TRIPS
The Bob is chock-full of high alpine lakes and rivers. While some pack trips and backcountry hiking trips add fishing to the itinerary, you can also take a guided fly-fishing trip into The Bob, where remote and solitary trout waters offer an unrivaled angling adventure. Reel in a bull trout on the White River or the South Fork of the Flathead River. Note, all anglers must purchase a fishing license and conservation permit.
GUIDED HUNTING TRIPS
For the hunt of a lifetime, The Bob is one of the few places in Montana where you can rifle hunt elk during the peak of the rut. You can also hunt white-tailed and mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bears and mountain lions here. Guided hunts include horseback rides into remote base camps offering clean and comfortable accommodations—meals included—with access to multiple drainage areas for some of the best hunting in the West.
GUIDED VOLUNTEER ADVENTURES
Want to take your backcountry experience a step further? Join a volunteer trip with the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation. Whether you’re new to camping or a seasoned backpacker, you’ll help maintain trails and explore Montana’s remote backcountry for a day, a weekend or a week—while giving back to a place that gives so much.
BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS GUIDES + OUTFITTERS
The following guides and outfitters are ready to give you the quintessential Bob Marshall backcountry experience:
+ 406 Wilderness Outfitters: Pack Trips, Hunting Trips, Fly-Fishing Trips, Stock-Supported Hiking Trips
+ Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitters: Pack Trips, Hunting Trips
+ Cheff Ranch and Legacy Outfitters: Pack Trips, Hunting Trips
+ Dropstone Outfitting: Stock-Supported Hiking Trips
+ Mills Wilderness Adventures: Pack Trips, Hunting Trips, Fly-Fishing Trips (White River)
+ Rich Ranch: Pack Trips, Hunting Trips
+ Swan Mountain Outfitters: Pack Trips, Hunting Trips
Every backcountry experience requires the right planning, prep and gear, especially if you’re venturing into The Bob without a guide. From choosing your route and campsites to being bear aware and filtering your own water, here’s a good list to help you plan ahead and be prepared. As always, plan to Leave No Trace.
AN AERIAL VIEW + THE CHINESE WALL
A scenic charter flight with Montana Air Adventures offers a unique perspective without the multiday trek. Aerial Tours include the Chinese Wall, the most iconic feature in The Bob: a 12-mile-long limestone escarpment rising 1,000 feet above the forest along the Continental Divide. While experienced hikers can reach it by trail, a flight offers an unforgettable, bird’s-eye view of this massive geological marvel.
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents recreate responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
April 4, 2025
Related: Camping/RVing, Family Fun, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Montana, Outdoor Fun, Outfitters, Vacation
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