Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge is located in northeastern Montana and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and mammals such as moose, elk, and coyotes.
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Summary
There are several reasons to visit the refuge, including birdwatching, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
One of the main points of interest at Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge is the Bowdoin Lake, which provides an important habitat for many species of waterfowl and shorebirds. Visitors can hike along the shoreline or rent a kayak or canoe to explore the lake's many coves and inlets.
Another interesting feature of the refuge is the prairie dog towns, where visitors can observe these social creatures as they scurry about their burrows and call out to one another.
The best time of year to visit Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and summer months when the weather is mild and many species of birds and mammals are active. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers a variety of activities during the fall and winter seasons, such as hunting and ice fishing.
Overall, Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge is a great destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore Montana's diverse wildlife and natural habitats.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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