Red Rock Lake Wildlife Refuge Scenic Tour
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- Things to See, Scenic Drives, Sightseeing and Scenic Tours
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At one time, only a handful of the beautiful and graceful trumpeter swans remained in the Montana- Wyoming-Idaho area. To prevent their extinction in the area, Red Rock Lakes Wildlife Refuge in the Centennial Valley was formed to offer the Trumpeters a refuge. Today, 400-500 swans call this area their home. Winter populations have been observed to reach as high as 1,500. Once you reach the refuge, the best place to observe the swans is in the open areas near Upper Red Rock Lake. April through September are the best viewing months. There are 18 other types of waterfowl at the refuge as well as moose, antelope, deer, and elk.
Depart from Dillon south on 1-15. Clark Canyon Reservoir is 21 miles from Dillon. Great fishing and boating here (many public campgrounds and one marina.) Camp Fortunate Historical Point from Lewis and Clark's journey.
Continue south on 1-15 and drive 14 miles to Dell, Montana. From here you could elect to take the Sheep Creek/Medicine Lodge Backcountry Byway that ends back on Hwy 324—roads permitting. Also at Dell is a historic hotel that has been renovated and the old schoolhouse that is now a cafe.
From Dell, travel 9 miles south to Lima. Lima is a
Red Rock Lake Wildlife Refuge Scenic Tour