Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge
Activity Details
| From Missoula: | 33.6 Miles |
| Activity Type(s): | Day Hikes Wildlife Viewing Hikes |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Description
Located along the meandering Bitterroot River and surrounded by majestic towering mountains, the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge offers spectacular viewing opportunities of the landscape and wildlife. The Refuge's location in the scenic and historic Bitterroot Valley of western Montana provides a haven for wildlife.
The Refuge was established in 1963 to provide habitat for migratory birds. The name of the Refuge honors the late U.S. Senator Lee Metcalf, who was a local high school graduate and had a lifelong commitment to conservation.
The mission of the Refuge is to manage habitat for a diversity of wildlife species with emphasis on migratory birds and endangered and threatened species, and to provide compatible human benefits associated with Refuge wildlife and wildlands.
Directions
From Missoula, take US 93 south about 30 miles to Stevensville. At the Stevensville cutoff road (269), turn east. Travel one mile to Eastside Highway (203) and again turn east. Travel a quarter-mile to Wildfowl Lane and turn north. The Refuge boundary is 2 miles from this intersection. Travel another 2 miles on this road to visit Refuge Offices and Visitor Center.