Benton Lake
Plan Your Visit
National Wildlife Refuges are your public lands. You are invited to visit and learn what they have to offer for both your recreation and your spirit. You are invited to enjoy the signs, sounds, and smells of a prairie marsh. Recreation is geared toward wildlife oriented activities such as wildlife observation, photography, and limited hunting for waterfowl and upland game birds. Follow the 9-mile self-guided wildlife drive through the Refuge and keep all your senses sharp. You never know what gifts nature will offer today.
A pass is not required to visit Benton Lake NWR.
Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
Volunteers play a vital role in helping the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fulfill its mission of conserving, protecting, and enhancing America's fish and wildlife and their habitats. They perform various tasks including conducting surveys, leading tours, assisting with biological monitoring, and maintaining refuge facilities.
Services
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues permits under various wildlife laws and treaties to safeguard wildlife and promote conservation efforts. If you are interested in a special use permit for Benton Lake NWR, please contact the Refuge Manager at (406)727-7400. Additionally, a pass is not required to visit the refuge.
About
Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 6,000 acres of wetlands and nearly 6,000 acres of native mixed-grass prairie in Montana's Prairie Pothole Region. Established in 1929, it serves as a crucial breeding and migration site for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. The refuge is managed within the Western Montana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, focusing on restoring wetland health and preserving native prairie landscapes.