Wildlife Refuge Bison Range

Address

58355 Bison Range Rd
Moiese, MT 59824 View on Map TripAdvisor Own or manage this business?

Website https://bisonrange.org/ Email bisonrange@cskt.org Phone 406-644-2211

Overview Service & Activities

About The Bison Range is a historical wildlife conservation area that is home to roughly 350 bison. In 2020, they incorporated it into the Montana Water Rights Protection Act. In 2022, they officially restored it to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. Originally, the Flathead Indian Reservation was home to the Pablo-Allard bison herd up until the beginning of the 20th century. However, after the Allotment Act was passed, the U.S. Federal government ordered the local tribal members to remove their bison herd to make room for non-tribal settlers. Several years later, the American Bison Society petitioned the government to protect the remaining bison. As a response, the U.S. Federal government stole approximately 18,500 acres from the Salish, Qlispe, and Kootenai tribes to establish the Bison Range. Many of the bison that were reintroduced to the Bison Range were either from the original Pablo-Allard herd or their descendants. Today, the range is home to many native Montana species including native birds, deer, elk, pronghorns, bears, and many more. You can find out more about the animals that live on the Bison Range and the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes by visiting our website or our Facebook page. The Bison Range is a self-directed driving tour with two scenic drives. The primary drive is Red Sleep Drive, a 2 hour, 19 mile loop that goes up and over Red Sleep Mountain. It is only open during the summer (May-Oct) and has two walking trails. Visitors can usually enjoy seeing scenic views of the valley as well as possibly spotting bears, birds, and other interesting species. The second drive is Prairie Drive, which is the lower half of the Red Sleep Drive loop and is open all year. This is a 14 mile drive that goes out to a turnaround area and comes back to the entrance. Prairie drive goes along the scenic Mission Creek and is usually the best place to spot bison, elk, deer, and pronghorn. Fees: Day Pass Price: $20 per vehicle Commercial Day Pass*: $60 per vehicle Annual Pass Price: $60 per vehicle (expires at the end of the calendar year) CSKT Tribal Members: FREE * Required for all company owned vehicles offering private tours through the Bison Range as part of a paid service. Drivers are responsible for purchasing the correct pass and failure to do so will be considered a violation of Bison Range regulations Educational Annual Pass The ED Annual Pass is only available for organizations that provide educational or care-giving services for specific groups of people, such as students or residents. The pass is a flat fee that covers all vehicles operated by the organization within its class or lower and is valid for one year from purchase date. Any vehicle over 30ft is still subject to road restrictions based on weather condition and must be approved by Bison Range staff before entering the scenic drives. All vehicles must adhere to Bison Range regulations. ED Annual Passes are by application only, please email bisonrange@ckst.org to apply. Class A (Vehicles of any size): $40 Class B (Vehicles with 15 Seats or Less): $35

Contact

MAILING ADDRESS 58355 Bison Range Rd
Moiese, MT 59824

CONTACT 406-644-2211

FAX 406-644-2661

Details

SEASON All Year

HOURS Nov-April: 8am-6pm May-Oct: 7am-8pm All times unless otherwise stated

SPECIAL DIRECTIONS From Missoula: Travel north on US Highway 93 to Ravalli, turn left (to the west) on to State Highway 200, travel approximately 5 miles to the junction of Highways 200 and 212, turn right (to the north) and travel approximately 5 miles to the entrance of the Range at Moiese. From Kalispell: Travel south on US Highway 93 or State Highway 35 to Polson, then travel Highway 93 through Pablo and Ronan to the junction of Highway 93 and State Highway 212, travel 12 miles (through Charlo) to the entrance of the Range at Moiese. From the west: Travel Highway 200 through Dixon to the junction of Highways 200 and 212, turn left(to the north) and travel approximately 5 miles to the entrance of the Range at Moiese.