Page 8 - Vista 2020
lorence The town of Florence, named for the wife of lumber titan A.B. Hammond, sits at the northern edge of Ravalli County on Highway 93. The prominently Irish-settled area had previously been referred to as One Horse. Hammond was instrumental in the development of the timber industry in the Bitterroot and also brought the railroad into the area. The town of Florence was established in 1888. It later merged with a northern neighbor called Carlton. Today, the school district is called FlorenceCarlton. During its heyday as a farming area as many as 100 carloads of wheat a day were shipped out of Florence. Surrounded with stunning scenery, the Florence area has ample opportunity for outdoor recreation, including hunting, hiking, biking and wildlife observation.
Bass Creek Recreation Area
The 1,600 acre Bass Creek Recreation Area south of Florence provides a number of options for getting outdoors. More than 50,000 people visit the area annually. Bass Creek contains six trailheads, ranging from quarter-mile loops to longer routes over 7.5 miles long. The trails are also a popular destination for horseback riders. It is the perfect stop to use the picnic tables for a meal while enjoying the stunning nature of the Bitterroot. The Charles Waters Campground has 26 paved campsites, electric hook-up, water, and vault toilets for those wishing to stay overnight. Bass Creek Recreation Area is located four miles south of Florence on Highway 93. Call 406-777-5461 or drop by a ranger station for more information.
