Summary
Russell National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area in the state of Montana that covers over 1.1 million acres of land. The refuge offers a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, and hiking.
One of the main reasons to visit the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge is to see the diverse range of wildlife that calls the area home. Bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep are just a few of the animals that visitors might spot. The refuge is also home to over 250 bird species, including bald eagles, great blue herons, and sandhill cranes.
The area is also rich in history and culture, with numerous Native American tribes having lived in the area for thousands of years. Visitors can learn more about this history at the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, which is located within the refuge boundaries.
Some specific points of interest to see within the refuge include the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center, Hell Creek State Park, and the Fort Peck Dam and Lake area. Visitors can also take guided tours and hikes to explore the area more fully.
The best time of year to visit the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and wildlife is abundant. However, visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions, as summer temperatures can be hot and winter temperatures can be cold and snowy.
Weather Forecast
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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