Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge covers 12,383 acres on the western edge of the Great Plains, near Great Falls, Montana. The lake is actually a 5,000 acre shallow marsh in a closed basin created by the last continental glacier to occupy the area. The gentle rolling refuge uplands are dominated by 6,000 acres of native short grass prairie. Approximately 700 acres of former crop land has been planted to dense nesting cover, a mix of tall growing grasses and legumes. Water for refuge marshes is supplied by natural runoff from the small Lake Creek watershed and by water pumped from Muddy Creek, a stream 15 miles west of the refuge. The refuge lands support a great variety of water birds with both nesting and migration habitat. Up to 100,000 ducks, 40,000 geese, 5,000 tundra swans, bald eagles and peregrines may be observed in migration. Refuge habitat annually produces up to 20,000 ducks, 500 Canada geese, 10,000 Franklin's gulls, white-faced ibis and other species. A 9 mile tour route is open to the public for wildlife observation. About 4,000 acres is open to public hunting of game birds.

There have been 199 species of birds sighted since 1961, which includes: the loon, American white pelican, great blue heron, snowy egret, trumpeter swan, Canada geese, mallards, red-breasted Merganser, osprey, bald eagle, Cooper's hawk, golden eagle, gyrfalcon, gray partridge, ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, mourning dove, snowy owl, burrowing owl, nighthawk, downy woodpecker, eastern kingbird, violet-green swallow, black-capped chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, rock wren, golden-crowned kinglet, robins, European starling, Macgillivray's warbler, song sparrow, red-winged blackbird, rosy finch, and American goldfinch.

Stop at information kiosk for leaflets or at refuge office during working hours; Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 4:00pm. The auto tour is open during the winter as weather permits. No camping, littering, driving off roadways, campfires, and damaging or collecting plant or animal life is allowed.

Site Links

Contact Info

Mailing Address:
922 Bootlegger Trail
Great Falls, MT 59404

Street Address:
922 Bootlegger Trail
Great Falls, MT 59404

Phone: 406-727-7400
Fax: 406-727-7432
http://bentonlake.fws.gov

Directions

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located 12 miles north of Great Falls. Drive north on Bootlegger trail 9.25 miles, turn left on the gravel refuge entrance road.

Hours and Season of Operation:

Season:
All Year
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 4:00pm

Activities Offered:

Bird Watching
wildlife Viewing