Basics
- Length:
- 49 miles (78 km)
- Time:
- 1.5 hours
- Fees:
- All campgrounds are designated fee sites ($7.00 per night-1998).
Description
The rugged ridge of the Pioneer Mountains cuts the big sky of Montana over the beautiful Pioneer Valley, where little has changed since the days of the westward exploration. The Pioneer Valley Scenic Byway will take you back through the homesteading history of Montana.
Humans are no strangers to the Pioneer Valley Scenic Byway, with Indians, trappers, and mountain men all using the area at some point. The first homesteaders would only arrive in the late 1800's, though, and they would need all their strength and skill to survive the harsh winters, dry summers, flash floods, and swarms of insects that plagued their efforts at farming or ranching. Historical markers tell the stories of George Pettengill, the "Wild Man" of Wise River, or Joe Maurice, the one eyed Belgian who stuck it out after losing his family. Visit their graves and learn about life on the frontier.
Despite the harsh conditions, many varieties of wildlife thrive in the habitats along the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway, from the mountain goats on the high peaks of the Pioneer Mountains to the trout swimming in the Wise River. Rounder, forested hills balance the ragged peaks of the Pioneer Mountains with the green valley floor, providing a varied landscape.
Fishing the Wise River is a popular pastime along the Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway, and miles of mountain trails open up for the adventurous hiker. The byway remains unplowed in the winter, allowing snowmobile riders to experience the byway in a completely different medium.
Tourism Resources
Helpful Links
Tourism Resources
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (MT)
Montana's largest National Forest covers 3.32 million acres in the southwest corner of the state. A great spot for winter and summer recreation and nature viewing, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has it all.
