Bob Marshall Wilderness: Visitor Use Patterns Study

About

The Bob Marshall Study launches in the summer of 2026, and is a complex project that aims to understand visitation to the 1.5 million acres of designated Wilderness in western Montana. The Complex includes the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Great Bear Wilderness, and Scapegoat Wilderness and is characterized by extensive backcountry trail systems and more than 110 ungated access points.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to generate representative visitation estimates and associated economic contribution metrics to support management planning across the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Research Objectives

• Generate representative visitation estimates across selected access points
• Estimate economic contributions associated with BMWC visitation
• Provide data that supports management planning and decision-making

If you visit the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex during summer 2026, you may encounter one of our surveyors, data collectors, or traffic counters. We greatly appreciate those who participate in our data collection efforts, as well as everyone enjoying these public lands! 

Have a question about the project? Reach out to us!

Emma Keinath-Lopez | emma.keinath-lopez@umconnect.umt.edu | 508-662-7777