The Pryor Mountains

Nestled between the Beartooth, and Bighorn Mountains and the land of the Crow hide the Pryor Mountains. Never covered by glaciers, the area hosts unique ecological systems of plants and animals that seem from both the north and the south. Jagged limestone canyons rip through the land and beckon to the adventurer as those same canyons did to the first people who migrated from the north and found shelter in the numerous caves. Vision quest sites of the old people are still used by the Crow who search for spiritual guidance. Wild horses carry the genes of their Spanish forefathers. Tough as the terrain, the horses still survive the icy bite of winter winds. For us today, a special area to learn, to explore, to experience and to conserve.

The Pryor Mountains are managed by the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the Crow Tribe of Indians. The result is fractured protection complicated by this chopped-up management. The Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management fielded planning teams over the past decade to chart the future conservation of the Pryors.  Our Montana working with the Pryors Coalition was deeply involved. Roads and trails were walked, cultural sites were identified, ecologists were consulted, meetings were attended, testimony was given and many written comments were delivered to the agencies.

The agency plans were finalized and our positive impact was evident, much success! Areas with Wilderness qualities were expanded. Diligence, monitoring and cooperative relationships with the agencies and the Crow Tribe of Indians are still critical.

 Excellent information is available on the website developed by the Pryors Coalition (pryormountains.org). This website can be very helpful to those who wish to explore, learn more or visit the Pryor Mountains.