About Benton Lake Wetland Management District
The Benton Lake Wetland Management District contains 23 Waterfowl Production Areas totaling over 16,000 acres. These WPAs are scattered throughout 8 counties (Cascade, Choteau, Glacier, Hill, Pondera, Powell, Teton, Toole) and include many great hunting locations and bird watching sites. The District was established in 1975 and includes 3 conservation areas, and 4 distinct easement programs.There are several types of Refuge System lands within the wetland management district:Waterfowl production areas, which are acquired in fee-titlePerpetual wetland easements, which protect privately owned wetlands from being drained, filled, or leveled, while the landowner keeps all other rightsPerpetual grassland easements, which protect privately owned rangeland and hay land from conversion to cropland, and the landowner keeps all other rightsPerpetual Farmers Home Administration conservation easements, which help farmers reduce their debt load on farmland and protect wetlands and grasslandsPerpetual conservation easements, which primarily protect wetland and grassland habitats and prevent property from being subdivided for residential, commercial, or industrial purposesA grassland and wetland parcel leased from the State and managed similarly as a waterfowl production fee-title unit
How to Get There
The Benton Lake Wetland Management District headquarters is located on the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge approximately 12 miles north of Great Falls, MT. We have an additional field office in the Blackfoot Valley. Please call us or stop by if you have questions or would like more information about our Waterfowl Production Areas.Blackfoot Valley field office (Blackfoot, H2-O, Kleinschmidt, and Upsata Lake WPAs):H2-0 Waterfowl Production Area967 Marsh LaneHelmville, MT 59843406-793-0050 (phone)406-793-0051 (fax)
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Benton Lake Wetland Management District
Heading to Benton Lake Wetland Management District? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Benton Lake Wetland Management District?
No central reservation system listed for Benton Lake Wetland Management District. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1297) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Benton Lake Wetland Management District?
The Benton Lake Wetland Management District headquarters is located on the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge approximately 12 miles north of Great Falls, MT. We have an additional field office in the Blackfoot Valley. Please call us or stop by if you have questions or would like more information about our Waterfowl Production Areas.Blackfoot Valley field office (Blackfoot, H2-O, Kleinschmidt, a…
How do I contact Benton Lake Wetland Management District?
You can reach the park at phone: 406-727-7400 or email: bentonlake@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
