Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we ask that you recreate responsibly.

  • Check alerts and local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information. Operations vary based on local public health conditions.
  • Consistent with CDC recommendations, all visitors (age 2 and older), who are fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask inside of federal buildings in areas of substantial or high community transmission.. All visitors who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick and continue to watch for symptoms of COVID-19 and follow CDC guidance on how to protect yourself and others.


Features

  • Ring-necked pheasant in the prairie grass

    Fall Hunting Update

    Benton Lake will be open for hunting from September 30 to November 30. Call for the latest information.

    Fall Hunting Update

  • A colage of different pictures of plants and wildlife at Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge

    Refuge Gallery

    You will not believe how much plant and animal diversity can be found at Benton Lake!

    Check Out Our Photo Galleries

  • New_grouse_194x116

    Sharp-tailed Grouse Camera

    The Benton Lake NWR staff recently installed a live web camera on the sharp-tailed grouse lek at the Refuge. The best time to see birds on the lek is early in the morning around sunrise.

    Sharp-tailed Grouse Live Camera

  • Two waterfowl floating in the water.

    Birding Benton Lake

    Approximately 240 species of birds have been recorded on the refuge

    Birding Benton Lake

  • A group of children sitting on the grass being taught by a teacher

    Environmental Education

    Benton Lake NWR is a great place for kids to explore. Check out all the resources we have for kids!

    Just For Kids

Other Items Of Interest

Sharp-tailed Grouse Camera

New_grouse_194x116

The Benton Lake NWR staff recently installed a live web camera on the sharp-tailed grouse lek at the Refuge. The best time to see birds on the lek is early in the morning around sunrise.

Sharp-tailed Grouse Live Camera

Getting There

The road to the refuge.

To get to the Refuge, follow Highway 87 (Havre Highway) north out of Great Falls for about a mile and turn left onto Bootlegger Trail. Go about 9 miles to the well-marked Refuge entrance on the left.

Visitor Center Hours

The Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

The visitor center is open from 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday. The center is closed on weekends and Federal Holidays.

Current Tour Route Conditions

Benton Lake Auto Tour Route

Call the Refuge office at 406-727-7400 for current tour route conditions.

Tour Route Information
Refuge Happenings

Refuge Hunting Information

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For more information on 2018 hunting updates click on the link below.

2018 Fall Hunting Update

About the Complex

Western Montana National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Western Montana National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

NWRS Logo

The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
Follow NWRS Online