2020 Map of Bayhorse Lake

About this map

Challis National Forest dominates this high-elevation landscape in Custer County, where the terrain is defined by dramatic ridgelines and secluded alpine waters. The area is anchored by Bayhorse Lake and Little Bayhorse Lake in the southeast, while Buster Lake sits further west among the drainages of Aspen Creek. Movement through this backcountry relies on seasonal routes like the Mill Creek Road and the Custer Trail Road, which navigate the steep ascents toward Mill Creek Summit and Summit Rock. The map illustrates a high-country economy of land use, evidenced by the Beef Pasture-Bayhorse area and the sprawling Juliette Basin. These features, alongside landmarks like Buffalo Ridge and the Willow Patch, reflect a region shaped by both its challenging topography and its history of forest service management and ranching access.