Bison Range Auto Tour and Picnic

Estimated travel from Missoula : 50+ miles, 50+ minutes.

Meet at the visitor center at 10:00 AM. The Bison Range is a pay-to-enter fee use area. We can consolidate people in cars and then go in to pay the $20 per-vehicle fee.

We will tour the refuge by car caravan, and perhaps a few very short walks; then have lunch in the picnic area. Bring your own lunch, and maybe something to share.

We hope to observe wildflowers, birds, and large mammals (Elk, Whitetail Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, and maybe even Black Bear!) And red dogs. We will view the awesome Mission Mountains, and ponder the geological forces that created them.

Bring binoculars and field guides if you wish.

As of December 2020, the Bison Range is maintained in a federal trust ownership with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).

Here are a few useful websites to check out prior to the trip.

We highly recommend you look at these.

*CSKT website for National Bison Range (includes history).
https://bisonrange.org/

*Please read the visitor information page to be aware of what is prohibited and permitted on the refuge.
https://bisonrange.org/bison-range-information-hours-of-operation/

*Map plus some information. You may wish to print this before arriving
https://www.bisonrange.org/maps/https://www.bisonrange.org/maps/

Be aware that at some points along the Red Sleep Mountain Drive the road is gravel, narrow, and has some steep (10%) grades.

*Wikipedia page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bison_Range

YOU MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED TO ATTEND

RSVPs are suggested, so that we will be looking for you at the visitors' center.