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Leisure Time - Outdoor Activities If outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, skiing and hiking attracted you to the Bitterroot Valley, the following information and links will help you find the perfect place to enjoy leisure time. Whether your goal is bagging a trophy elk or spending an afternoon or a week on our blue-ribbon trout streams you will find tips on where to go, what you need for the trip and information on rules and regulations. FISHING LINKS: Right here on the Bitterroot River is some of the best trout fishing in the country. Fishermen have access to streams, rivers and mountain lakes. This fishing site gives you a great description of the Bitterroot river. If you scroll down the page you will be given specific information on areas to fish and directions for great fishing here in the Bitterroot Valley. For information specific to fishing in the Hamilton area, use this Fishing Guide provided by Montana's government web site. HUNTING LINKS: At the Bitterroot Valley's back door is a hunter's paradise. Big game species include elk, bear, white tail and mule deer, mountain lion and moose. Birds include pheasant, grouse, duck and geese. The Hunt Planner combines updated maps with hunting regulations and statistics. You can begin planning your hunt using either a regional map by species or go right to the hunting district information you're interested in. For additional information on hunting, go to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park’s home page. It has numerous tools and references available to you. TRAIL LINKS: If hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking or Llama treks interest you, the Bitterroot Valley's many trails will lead you through pristine portions of the Bitterroot National Forest and roads will take you off the beaten path to beautiful lakes, waterfalls and through the heart of the wilderness areas. SKIING LINKS: The Bitterroot Valley has downhill and cross country skiing available. Lost Trail Powder Mountain is a family owned downhill ski area approximately 45 minutes south of Hamilton. It usually accumulates the greatest snow depth in Montana making it one of the best downhill slopes in the state. When you ski Lost Trail you will enjoy the beauty and uncrowded slopes of the Rocky Mountain's hidden jewel and you will ski and snowboard some of the best powder to be found anywhere. Snowbowl is a downhill ski area in Missoula which is approximated 45 minutes north of Hamilton. This family friendly ski resort is big with 25 runs. You could ski or board here for a week from open to close and never take the same line twice. From top to bottom there's 2600 feet of continuous vertical. Snowbowl is built on two peaks connected by a skiable saddle, so with two high capacity, double lifts, it can easily service the entire 950 acres while keeping lift lines to a minimum. Chief Joseph Cross Country Ski Trail doesn't have a web site. It offer spectacular vistas at every turn and a warming hut and emergency caches located along 33 groomed and un-groomed trails. The trail is groomed weekly. It has eight loop trails which provide a variety of lengths and skill levels. The trail system starts on the north side of Highway 43 at Chief Joseph Pass. It has plowed parking for 55 to 60 vehicles. There are toilets and maps available at the trailhead. It is groomed by the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club. Pets are not allowed. The warming hut is open December 1 - Mid-April. CAMPGROUNDS: Angler's Roost is located in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley. It offers a variety of touring accommodations and services such as oversized pull thru RV sites with full hook-ups, riverside sites with fire pits, a hostel area frequented by bicyclists and traveling groups, and a more remote, wooded tent area enjoyed by many families. Black Rabbit RV Park is an Park along the Bitterroot River. It is located on Highway 93 (2101 first Street) just past the silver bridge as you enter the town of Hamilton. Use Bitterrootsites.com to obtain general camping information.