The range is located within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) and partially within the Cecil D. Andrus–White Clouds Wilderness.

[1] The White Cloud Mountains are located on National Forest land, with numerous trails in the area.

Camping is permitted anywhere on the national forest land and there are no fees to access the area.

Incumbent Republican governor Don Samuelson favored the mine, as it would generate an estimated $4 million in revenue to the state.

However, his Democratic opponent, Cecil Andrus, opposed the mine on conservation grounds.