Boating Regulations

Boating is limited to canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts, and other non-motorized vessels in designated areas. On the Upper Red Rock Lake, boating season is open from July 15 to freeze up. Boating is allowed on the Lower Red Rock Lake from September 1 to freeze up. Boat launching sites are available at both Upper and Lower Red Rock Lakes. (see Home Page Visitor Map).

Boaters are urged to use caution on Refuge waters as sudden storms, high winds, cold temperatures, low water levels, and muddy conditions are common. Be aware also that waterfowl hunting is allowed on the Lower Red Rock Lake.

On-board, approved flotation devices are required for each occupant.

Camping at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Two primitive campgrounds are maintained within the Refuge. The Upper Lake Campground has trees, toilets, potable spring water, fire rings, and picnic tables and is close to mountain hiking and aspen wildlife viewing. The Lower Lake Campground is an open grassland with toilets and fire rings, and is the best place to see water birds. There is no electrical power at either campground.

Wheelchair-accessible facilities and toilets are available at the headquarters and Upper Lake Campground. Camping is permitted for a maximum of 14 consecutive days at both campgrounds. Camping is not permitted outside established campgrounds. Fires are permitted only in campground grates. Firewood is not provided; however, dead or downed timber can be collected nearby. Chain saws are prohibited. The campground is rarely filled and fees are not charged. The Refuge does not take reservations; camping is on a "first come, first serve" basis. Please pack your trash.

Looking down at Lower Lake

Bicycles and Snowmobiles Bicycles can travel the existing roads. The low vehicle traffic makes for largely safe bicycling. Bicycles are not permitted on game trails in the backcountry. Winter use of snowmobiles is limited to the existing Red Rock Pass and Elk Lake Roads, which exist as primitive backcountry routes. Unlike snowmobiling in nearby Yellowstone National Park, the Refuge’s big game are hunted populations, and can be more sensitive to certain types of human contact than non-hunted animals. Winter uses are therefore limited.

Snowshoe tracks, Lone Willow Canyon

Guidelines for Photography
at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Red Rock Lakes NWR is located in a remote mountain valley in southwestern Montana. It offers good opportunities to photograph spectacular scenery, wildflowers, and wildlife. Because of the increasing requests for information on photography, we have prepared the following guidelines.

Photography is only allowed in areas open to the general public (see Home Page Visitor Map).

Refuge regulations prohibit any harassment of wildlife. Harassment includes (but is not limited to), causing wildlife to flush or run or to leave its nest or young. Do not approach nesting trumpeter swans or other birds. Many photographic opportunities are available from the roads.

Some wildlife (i.e., cow moose with calves) are potentially dangerous. Photographs of these animals should be taken from a distance. Wildlife here has not acclimated to humans, as in many National Parks. If these species feel threatened or startled, they may run (which is harassment) or they may attack. Use extreme caution.

Other information that you will need or find useful is contained in other refuge brochures, available on request from the Refuge.

If you have specific questions, please contact the Refuge Office at (406)276-3536.

In nature photography there is one hard-and-fast rule of which the photographer must at all times observe the spirit: The welfare of the subject is more important than the photograph. This is not to say that photography should not be undertaken because of a slight risk to a common species. But the amount of risk which is acceptable decreases with the scarceness of the species, and the photographer should always do his utmost to minimize it. "The Nature Photographer’s Code of Practices" by the Association of Natural History Photographic Societies