Reserve is located along Big Muddy Creek near the North Dakota border in northeast Montana and was named because the town was established on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Reserve is located just a few miles from Brush Lake State Park, Homestead Lake, and Medicine Lake Wilderness Area, where thousands of migrating waterfowl make their summer home. A self-guided hiking and a 14-mile driving tour around the wildlife refuge are some popular options for visiting the refuge.