160-Acre Parcel Now Open to Recreation and Wildlife Protection
A significant conservation project in the Cabinet Mountains near Troy, Montana has secured public access to one of the region’s most scenic natural areas. The Falls Creek Project, completed earlier this year, transferred 160 acres of previously private timberland to the U.S. Forest Service, opening trails, fishing opportunities, and wilderness access to the public.
The effort was a partnership between the Kootenai National Forest and Vital Ground Foundation, a Missoula-based conservation organization. Vital Ground purchased the property using federal Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars and then transferred the land to the Forest Service for permanent protection and management. The previous owners were conservation-minded individuals who supported the project’s goals.
The parcel sits along the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area and provides a critical link between lower-elevation recreation and the higher, more rugged terrain above. Kootenai National Forest Supervisor Chad Benson said the location is strategically important: “This unique parcel, situated along the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, serves as a key link between lower elevation recreational opportunities and the higher, more rugged wilderness experience.”
Access and Recreation Opportunities
The project guarantees public access to Falls Creek Waterfall—the area’s largest waterfall—as well as Savage Lake, Falls Creek itself, and the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area. The Forest Service has constructed a hiking trail to the waterfall, making it accessible to visitors of varying skill levels. The land will be managed according to the Kootenai National Forest Plan and is now open to a wide range of recreational activities including fishing, hunting and angling for native trout, birding, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
The project has drawn support from across Montana’s political spectrum and from local organizations. Montana Senator Steve Daines and former Senator Jon Tester both endorsed the initiative. The Troy city council and mayor’s office voiced their backing, as did the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Collaborative, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Atira Conservation, onX, and The Weeden Foundation. More than 20 letters of support came from residents of the Savage Lake area.
Wildlife Conservation and Grizzly Recovery
Beyond recreation, the project serves critical conservation purposes. The Cabinet Mountains and Yaak Valley region is home to approximately 50 grizzly bears, along with moose, elk, wolves, wolverine, and populations of native trout. Expanding protected habitat supports long-term recovery of these species, particularly the threatened grizzly bears.
Mitch Doherty, Conservation Director for Vital Ground, highlighted the dual purpose of the project: “This project ensures that access will continue while also conserving an important area for grizzly bear recovery.”
The Land and Water Conservation Fund, which financed the acquisition, was established in 1964 and has supported conservation projects across the country for more than six decades. Congress secured permanent annual funding of $900 million for the program in 2020, ensuring its availability for future conservation work.
What Comes Next
The Forest Service will now manage the 160 acres as part of the broader Kootenai National Forest. The public can begin using the Falls Creek trail and other recreational access immediately. The agency plans to maintain infrastructure and monitor both public use and wildlife populations to ensure the site serves its dual purpose as a recreation destination and wildlife corridor. Future management decisions will align with the forest plan and input from local stakeholders.