About Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge has often been called the most beautiful National Wildlife Refuge in the United States. The rugged Centennial Mountains, rising roughly 10,000 feet and running from east to west, provide a dramatic backdrop for this extremely remote Refuge in Southwest Montana's Centennial Valley.The Refuge encompasses primarily high mountain and high elevation wetland-riparian habitat - the largest in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and is located near the headwaters of the Missouri River. Numerous creeks flow into the Refuge creating Upper Red Rock Lake, the River Marsh, and Lower Red Rock Lake. The snows of winter replenish the Refuge’s lakes and wetlands that provide secluded habitat for many waterfowl, shorebirds, and wetland birds including trumpeter swans, white-faced ibis, and black-crowned night herons. The Refuge also includes wet meadows, riparian creek edges, willow fen, cool season grasslands, sage-steppe, and mountain forest habitats. This diversity provides habitat for other species such as sandhill cranes, long-billed curlews, bald and golden eagles, hawks, warblers, moose, elk, badgers, bears, wolves, mountain lions, martens, pronghorn, and native fish such as Arctic grayling and westslope cutthroat trout. Over 60% of the Refuge is designated as wilderness. Some important information about the Refuge wilderness:Established 197632,350 acresWhy Wilderness? The Wilderness Act of 1964 created the National Wilderness Preservation System "in order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization, does not occupy and modify all areas in the United States, and its possession, leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition..."For more information about Red Rock Lakes Wilderness, visit: Wilderness Connect
How to Get There
Red Rock Lakes Refuge can be reached from the west on Interstate 15 in Montana (turn at the Monida Exit 0 off-ramp towards South Valley Road). From the east, take US 20 in Idaho and exit at the Red Rock Road and follow the signs west to the Refuge. The distance to the Refuge Headquarters is about 28 miles from either direction. The road is a wide dirt and gravel road maintained only from about May through October. Access is limited or impossible due to snow after these dates. Careful consideration should also be taken if it has been rainy. Large motorhomes are not recommended due to rough road conditions in some places.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge? 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 Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1578) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge?
Red Rock Lakes Refuge can be reached from the west on Interstate 15 in Montana (turn at the Monida Exit 0 off-ramp towards South Valley Road). From the east, take US 20 in Idaho and exit at the Red Rock Road and follow the signs west to the Refuge. The distance to the Refuge Headquarters is about 28 miles from either direction. The road is a wide dirt and gravel road maintained only from about May…
How do I contact Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 406-276-3536 or email: Redrocks@fws.gov .
References & Official Resources
