Rising 7,000 feet above the plains (as much as the Tetons rise above Jackson Hole), the Crazy Mountains have numerous peaks over 10,000 feet, including 11,201 foot Crazy Peak. The range also harbors 30 alpine lakes and even a few small glaciers. The range is well known for its geological radiating volcanic dike system and heavily glaciated peaks and valleys. Portions of the range are considered sacred to the Crow Tribe. The Crazy Mountains have been included in previous wilderness bills.

The Custer Gallatin National Forest recommended no wilderness in the Crazy Mountains. Part of their rationale is that there are checkerboard inholdings in the range. However, the Custer Gallatin National Forest identified 90,690 acres as roadless, but split this into two units for no apparent reason. This is considerably less than the 135,500 acres the Forest Service identified as roadless in the 1980s. Conservationists should insist that at least 90,690 acres be recommended for wilderness with the caveat that private inholdings should be aggressively removed through land trades or purchase.