Swan River National Wildlife Refuge

The Swan River National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Montana, 32 miles southeast of the town of Creston, in the serene and picturesque Swan Valley Mountain Range. The refuge boundary lies within the floodplain of the Swan River above Swan Lake and between the Swan Mountain Range to the east and the Mission Mountain Range to the west.

The valley was formed when glacial ice poured down the steep slopes of the Mission Range. The valley floor is generally flat, but rises steeply to adjacent forested mountain sides. Most of the refuge lies within this valley floodplain, which is composed mainly of reed canary grass. Deciduous and coniferous forests comprise the rest.

Swan River, which once meandered through the floodplain, has been forced to the west side of the refuge by deposits of silt, leaving a series of oxbow sloughs within the refuge floodplain.

Objectives of the refuge are to provide for waterfowl habitat and production and to provide for other migratory bird habitat. The refuge also provides a nesting site for a pair of southern bald eagles and a variety of other avian species.

In addition, deer, elk, moose, beaver, bobcat, black bear and grizzly bears are known to inhabit the area. There are no significant developments or facilities on the refuge and present management is directed at maintaining the area in its natural state.

Visitor Opportunities
Boating, waterfowl hunting, fishing, photography and wildlife observation are the recreation opportunities. Waterfowl hunters and fisherman need to check the current regulations available from Refuge staff or posted at the kiosk at the Parking area. Game fish common to Swan River NWR include yellow perch, bull trout, northern pike, kokanee salmon, largemouth bass, cutthroat, brook trout, and mountain whitefish.

Bog Road traverses the refuge from east to west. It is not recommended that vehicles drive past the parking area as the road is not maintained. However, the road is open for walking and provides access to the interior of the Refuge. There is no walking off the road except during waterfowl season. Boating access is available off the Refuge.

Bald eagles frequent the area as do northern harriers, Swainson's hawks, red-tailed hawks, and great-horned owls. Waterfowl species seen are tundra swans, Canadian geese, mallard, cinnamon teal, and common goldeneye. Bird lists are available at the kiosk or by writing the Refuge Manager. Other resident wildlife are coyotes, beaver, muskrat, and raccoons. White-tail deer is the most common big game species seen.

Management Programs
Swan River National Wildlife Refuge is composed primarily of reed canary grass. There are no water control facilities or developments on the Refuge. The forested areas (313 acres) are primarily old growth fir, spruce, cedar, and larch. Large cottonwood trees are found along the shores of Swan River. The forest acres are maintained in their natural state. For the last few years, no grazing or haying has occurred on the Refuge. When haying is done, it opens up the dense reed canary grass to provide additional waterfowl pair and brood habitat.

Directions
Swan River National Wildlife Refuge is 40 miles from Kalispell, Montana. Travel south from Kalispell on State Highway 35. At the town of Big Fork, travel south on State Highway 83. The Refuge entrance is one mile south of the town of Swan Lake.

780 Creston Hatchery Road
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 727-7400