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| Bull bison (Courtesy of National Bison Refuge) |
Even in the winter, the National Bison Range
near Ravalli, Mont., is a great place to view a wide variety of indigenous Northwest wildlife and
native grassland species–as well as one of the largest bison herds in
the United States.
The National Bison Range is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Established in 1908 it is one of the oldest Wildlife Refuges in the nation.
The Refuge was established to support a population of American bison and is home to about 350-500 of these animals. Other large wildlife found on the Range include elk, white-tail and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep and black bear. Because of its open grasslands, the Bison Range is an incredible place for the public to enjoy some excellent wildlife observation and photography.
Start at the Visitor Center that features interpretive displays and orientation videos, as well as, a bookstore and restrooms. Staff answer questions.
The Range is part of the U.S. Fee System and accepts and sells the Federal Recreational Area Passes and Federal Waterfowl Stamps. It also accepts the older Golden Passes.
Contact information:
National Bison Range
58355 Bison Range Road
Moiese, MT 59824
(406) 644-2211
URL: www.fws.gov/bisonrange/
Winter Hours (mid-October to mid-May)
Visitor Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed weekends and holidays.
Winter Drive open daily 7 a.m. to dark (weather and road conditions permitting).
Just 30 miles from the National Bison Range is a wonderful place for a dip in hot springs.
Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort has six mineral pools open to both lodge guests and day users. The water contains Silica, Sulfate, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium and Iron for soaking and swimming.
There are four soaking pools range in temperature from 60-106 degrees Farenheit. The two swimming pools typically range from 80-95 degrees F.
The water is natural, chemical free and flows through continuously.
Pool hours: Adult lodging guests may use the pools from 7 a.m.–11 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
Day passes are available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. On busy days, Quinn’s reserves the right to allocate pool use for day passes to 3-hour sessions to prevent overcrowding.
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| (by Julianne G Crane) |
Rates: $10 per person per session.
Contact information:
Quinn’s Hot Springs
190 Quinn’s Canyon Road / Hwy. 135 (Exit 33, I-90)
Paradise, Montana
800.628-0212
406.826-3150
URL: www.QuinnsHotSprings.com
To read more by Julianne G Crane go to RVWheelLife.com
