Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we encourage you to:

  • Check local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information
  • Follow current CDC safe practices by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick


Features

  • Bison Capture Operations - Postponed

    The National Bison Range will postpone bison capture this season in an effort to safeguard the health and safety of our staff and visitors.

  • Two mule deer bucks bedded in snow during snow storm. Photo by NBR volunteer Dave Fitzpatrick.

    Fall/winter road and access update

    The Bison Range is open daily from dawn to dusk. The Red Sleep Mountain Drive is closed for the season.

    Operating Hours >

  • Phased Re-opening of the National Bison Range

    We are excited to announce that on Monday, August 10, the National Bison Range will begin to make the refuge reaccessible to visitors! This will happen in phases, and the first phase will include reopening the auto tour. The Visitor Center will remain closed for now. We look forward to seeing you soon.

    Learn more about the phased re-opening plan >

Management and Planning News

Bison Capture Operations - Postponed

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages bison herds at the National Bison Range to maintain populations within an ecological carrying capacity, ensuring a healthy habitat buffer. Just as we place the health of the habitat and bison as a priority, we also must consider the health and safety of staff and visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the National Bison Range will postpone bison capture this season. We look forward to safely conducting our bison capture operations in the future.

National Bison Range Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Final Record of Decision

Badger with kit.spring 2011.150x120

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as part of its ongoing efforts to plan for the future of the National Bison Range, announces the availability of the national wildlife refuge’s final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and final Record of Decision (ROD). The final CCP will guide future management of the National Bison Range for the next 15 years.

Learn more

Wildlife Sightings

Picture of bighorn sheep on green hillside on National Bison Range. Most sheep are males or rams and have large curling horns. There are about 10 sheep in the photo.

Visitors and staff have been seeing lots of wildlife on the refuge.

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Noteworthy News

IMPORTANT NEWS!

A young bison calf, only a few days old, stands in front of its mother, its rusty red baby coat contrasting with the female’s dark brown hide. Photo taken on April 18, 2014 by Dave Fitzpatrick, Volunteer, NBR/USFWS

The National Bison Range Complex is in the process of developing comprehensive conservation plans to guide all management activities and programs of the national wildlife refuges and wetland management districts of the Complex.

Read More

About the Complex

Western Montana National Wildlife Refuge Complex

National Bison Range National Bison Range is managed as part of the Western Montana National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

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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.

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