National Bison Range Visitors Center

   Bison were hunted almost to the point of extinction due to greed and a misguided government policy designed to eliminate the largest food source of Native Americans living in the plain states. The theory was that a lack of bison would force the Native Americas onto reservations and eventually they would assimilate into a farming and ranching lifestyle.

  By 1908 it was obvious that the few remaining bison had to protected. The Range was established as a home for a herd that grew from four calves brought over the mountains to the Flathead reservation by a member of the Pend d’Oreille tribe. The herd is still small with a total number between 350-500.

  The Range has a small visitor center with displays about the bison and the Native Americans who depended upon them. The only way to see the Range is by driving. There are a few short trails but hiking over the grasslands is not permitted. West Loop, a short 1 mile loop starts near the visitor center.  Prairie Drive is a 14 mile trip out and back that follows the Flathead River. Red Sleep Mountain Drive is 19 miles long and takes about 1 1/2 – 2 hours to complete. It’s one way until it joins Prairie Drive to complete the loop.

  Since we didn’t have a lot of time we only drove Prairie Drive. We saw few bison so we surmised that they were all at higher, cooler elevations on Red Sleep Mountain. We did see many other animals along the very scenic river valley.
 

The visitor center and two short trails -  a crushed stone, 1/3 mile loop at the visitor center and and a paved, 1/3 mile loop at the day area are accessible.


  The visitor center and day use parking lots have room for RVs. Trailers and RVs over 30’ are not permitted on Prairie Drive and Red Sleep Mountain Drive. West Loop has no restrictions.

  We stayed at the rest area along US 93, two miles north of Ravalli. It has long RV spaces and is quiet at night.
     
Range  47.36728, -114.2556