Helena National Forest Hosts Open House and Guided Winter Treks

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest invites the public to an open house at Moose Creek Cabin on Sunday, Jan. 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. Attendees can join an interpretive hike or snowshoeing trek depending on conditions, and each session will include a short presentation and hot drinks. Guided departures are scheduled at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. from the cabin.

The event is designed to connect local residents with the forest's management of forest products and recreational opportunities. For Lewis and Clark County, such events serve both educational and economic purposes: they can help residents better understand how public lands contribute to local jobs and seasonal tourism, and they can encourage safe, informed use of trails and campgrounds during winter months.

Moose Creek Cabin is accessible from Helena by taking U.S. Highway 12 West for about 7 miles to Rimini County Road, then following Rimini Road South approximately 4 miles to the cabin. The cabin sits on the east side of the road just past the entrance to Moose Creek Campground; parking is available to the north of the cabin. Organizers ask attendees to register in advance or email Elizabeth.A.Burke@usda.gov for more information.

Because the event falls in early January, winter road and trail conditions will determine whether participants hike or snowshoe. Residents planning to attend should expect typical cold-weather conditions at higher elevations and plan layered clothing, footwear suitable for snow or ice, and transportation that can handle winter roads. The open house format allows staff to describe seasonal access, trail maintenance priorities and how recreational use interfaces with forest product management.

For Helena and surrounding communities, the open house is part of a broader trend of public lands engagement that supports outdoor recreation spending, local small businesses and community stewardship. By making forest management practices more transparent and offering hands-on experiences, the forest aims to foster safer recreation and informed participation in decisions that affect trails, campgrounds and resource use.

Advance registration is requested; contact Elizabeth.A.Burke@usda.gov for details and to reserve a spot.