New Cooperative Access Project in North Valley County

Carroll MT Properties, the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation have teamed together to improve access to over 30,000 acres of public lands and to provide new access to 9,000 acres of private lands. This agreement, which begins with the start of the big game rifle season, provides public hunting access to the heart of the Deep Creek and Willow Creek watersheds in the northern portion of Valley County on the former Hinsdale Livestock Company lands.

The agreement provides an access point off of Rock Creek Road, and one on the Thoeny Road, that connect a through route across this area. BLM staff has signed the open routes and access points within the project area.

Carroll MT Properties has graciously opened their private lands north of the Bitter Creek Wilderness Study Area for the general public to access a vast amount of BLM and DNRC lands during this hunting season, stated Pat Gunderson, BLM’s Glasgow Field Manager. In addition, approximately 9,000 acres of private lands will be opened to public hunting. Gunderson stresses that it is crucial for hunters using this area to follow BLM and DNRC restrictions for off-road travel and road closures on public and private lands. This is critical to maintaining this cooperative agreement for future years.

Access points are located on Rock Creek Road north of Hinsdale, approximately 3 miles north of the Jensen Road turnoff and on the Thoeny Road, approximately 6 miles west of the Golden Valley Road. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Glasgow BLM Field Office at (406) 228-3750.