Lee Metcalf Wilderness

The Lee Metcalf Wilderness now contains a total of 254,288 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. All of the wilderness is in the state of Montana.

Hiking access to Bear Trap Canyon is from the north end of the canyon only. To reach the trailhead, follow State Highway 84 west from Bozeman. Just before the highway crosses the Madison River, and directly across from the Red Mountain Campground, a gravel road intersects the highway on the left and leads upstream on the east side of the river to the trailhead.

Floating access is from the south end of the canyon, near the Madison Powerhouse. The boat launch provides access to a Class IV segment of whitewater river through the canyon --experienced boaters only. Floaters can reach the canyon from U.S. Highway 287, 7 miles north of Ennis, at McAllister. Turn east on a gravel road towards Ennis Lake, follow for approximately 7 miles -- past the lake, across a bridge, into the canyon, past the dam, to the powerhouse. Floaters should unload at the launch site, but park upstream in the Fall Creek parking area (interpretive site). Do not park at the powerhouse!