U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service logo National Wildlife Refuge System Logo Celebrating a Century of Conservation
Banner graphic displaying the Fish & Wildlife Service logo, the National Wildlife Refuge System logo and the Celebrating a Century of Conservation tagline
Lost Trail
National Wildlife Refuge		 A large wetland blankets part of the valley floor. A variety of plants thrive in the moist ground along the shores of the wetland.
6295 Pleasant Valley Road
Marion, MT   59925
E-mail: bisonrange@fws.gov
Phone Number: 406-644-2211
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://www.fws.gov/losttrail		 Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge is located in Pleasant Valley. This valley was formed during the Pleistocene by glacial and sedimentation activity.
Blue horizontal line
  Overview
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located in the west-central portion of Flathead county in the serene and picturesque mountain drainage known as Pleasant Valley. The Refuge was acquired in August 1999. Prior to acquisition, Refuge lands were privately owned and managed as a cattle and horse ranch known as Lost Trail Ranch.

Because the Refuge is relatively new, many public use activities are limited at this time. Refuge policy and regulations require the development of various public use plans before activities can be allowed. These plans will receive public input during the administrative planning process. Public use activities that are currently allowed include hunting, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education.


Getting There . . .
Lost Trail NWR can be reached via Highway 2 by traveling west from Kalispell approximately 20 miles to Marion. Turn north at Marion onto Pleasant Valley Road. After approximately 1.3 miles, take the right fork and continue on the blacktop until reaching the graveled road; continue on the gravel road for approximately 13 miles. The Refuge Headquarters is located north of the county road.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip code


Google Maps opens in a new window

NOTE: When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.

These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

horizontal line

Wildlife and Habitat
Wetland habitats consist of sub-irrigated wet meadows composed primarily of reed canary grass.

Learn More>>


History
In 1996, the Montana Power Company (MPC) purchased Lost Trail Ranch to mitigate for wildlife losses and impacts on the Flathead Waterfowl Production Area from past and future operations of Kerr Dam.

Learn More>>

    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Hunting
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
 Learn More >>

Dark blue horizontal line

Managment Activities

Lost Trail NWR is managed as a satellite unit of the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge. To enhance wildlife habitat and to satisfy mitigation requirements, the Refuge worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to successfully restore wetlands on the Refuge. The Refuge also partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Landmark Volunteers to remove interior fences that hindered wildlife movement. An invasive plant control program is helping to reduce and eliminate common tansy and spotted knapweed and restore native plants.