1988 Map of Swan Peak

About this map

The Swan Range and Mission Range dominate this landscape, framing the narrow valley where the Swan River flows north toward Swan Lake. Mapping by the U.S. Geological Survey in the late 1980s reveals a region defined by its protected lands, including the vast Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Swan River State Forest. The settlement at Condon serves as a primary waypoint along the river corridor, while the Swan River National Wildlife Refuge preserves the marshlands at the southern tip of the lake. Evidence of remote access is found at the Spotted Bear Airport and the Meadow Creek Landing Strip, essential for managing the surrounding Flathead National Forest. This era of the survey highlights the intricate drainage systems feeding into the South Fork Flathead River, showing the importance of timber and conservation management in western Montana.