Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in northeastern Montana, spanning over 16,000 acres of wetlands, grasslands, and forests.
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Summary
The refuge was established in 1941 as a migratory bird sanctuary and is now home to a diverse range of wildlife species, including elk, moose, black bears, and a variety of waterfowl.
Visitors to the refuge can enjoy a range of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. The refuge offers several scenic trails for hiking that provide visitors with stunning views of the surrounding landscape and wildlife. The lake is also a popular spot for fishing, with a variety of fish species present, such as northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch.
One of the most significant points of interest in the refuge is the Hewitt Lake Dam, which was constructed in 1943 to provide water for the various wildlife species residing in the area. Other notable features include the refuge's extensive wetlands, which provide critical habitat for a variety of migratory bird species, and the stunning views of the Rocky Mountains that can be seen from certain parts of the refuge.
The best time to visit Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild, and wildlife sightings are plentiful. During the summer, visitors can expect warmer temperatures and higher levels of activity in the refuge's various recreational areas.
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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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