Features

  • Ring-necked pheasant in the prairie grass

    Fall Hunting Update

    Benton Lake will be open to hunting from Sept 30 to Nov 30; however, hunting units may change. Call for latest information.

    More Information

  • 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

  • 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

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

Hunting at Benton Lake

A man and a child in a canoe in the marsh with hunting gear on.

Click the link for more information about hunting on Benton Lake NWR.

Hunting Information
Refuge Happenings

Cooperative Agriculture Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking agricultural producers for a Cooperative Agricultural Program at Benton Lake NWR Complex. The producer(s) will have use of potential haying land on the complex for a period of five years (2018 - 2022).

BNL Cooperative Haying Opportunity 2018

About the Complex

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Benton Lake 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
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