In Ravalli County, wildlife watching and cultural history meet in a wide variety of settings. The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge draws your attention to the river and waterfowl, while Painted Rocks offers a reservoir whose name is associated with colorful lichens. Museums and trails provide further perspectives, from architectural history and exhibitions to the region’s geological past. When choosing your experiences, you can follow your interests in wildlife, history, or outdoor activities.
Nature and Waterfowl
The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge lies between the Bitterroot Mountains and the Sapphire Mountains and includes a section of the Bitterroot River. Activities offered there include wildlife watching and photography, as well as fishing and hunting. Environmental education and informative interpretive programs are also available. The refuge is open for day use from sunrise to sunset; check for possible temporary closures before you travel.
You can watch waterfowl at the ponds beside the visitor information area. Binoculars and spotting scopes are available to borrow there; check the availability of loaner equipment before your visit. This gives you a specific spot for birdwatching and a practical way to get a closer look at the ponds.
Painted Rocks Reservoir lies in the West Fork Valley of the Bitterroot Mountains and offers opportunities for boating, camping, and fishing. Conditions for accessing the water vary by season. The reservoir is also a seasonal destination for waterfowl: during spring and fall migration, it serves as a resting area. In this way, the observation opportunities at the refuge complement the migration periods when Painted Rocks is important for waterfowl.
The name Painted Rocks refers to green, yellow, and orange lichens covering gray and black granite and rhyolite cliffs along West Fork Road. Here, the place name connects with a direct view of the distinctive rock faces.
Museums and Architectural History
The Ravalli County Museum presents local and Montana history through permanent exhibits, changing exhibits, and outdoor and virtual exhibits. The museum is located in the former Ravalli County Courthouse. The building was constructed in 1900 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It is also located at the convergence of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, the Nee-Me-Poo National Historic Trail, and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The types of exhibits and the historic location offer different ways to explore: you can discover regional history in the galleries while also taking in the architectural history of the former courthouse. As exhibits may change, check the current program before your visit.
The Daly Mansion offers a different architectural scale: it has more than 50 rooms and 24,000 square feet across three stories, as well as a full basement. Seasonal tours take place Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., subject to volunteer tour guide availability. Check availability before your visit. The number of rooms and the tours give you two specific points to consider when choosing whether to focus on the building itself or a guided visit.
Lake Como and the Trails Through the Landscape
Lake Como marks approximately the southernmost point reached by the glacial Lake Missoula. This geological context gives the lake a second point of interest beyond its role as a trailhead. Lake Como is a trailhead for the Lake Como National Recreation Trail. The Lake Como National Recreation Loop Trail is suitable for hiking and mountain biking. If you’d like to explore the landscape on foot or by mountain bike, you’ll find two clearly named activities here.
Blodgett Canyon also features a distinctive landscape: it consists mainly of multi-pitch rock towers and a smaller cliff near the parking area. The Blodgett Overlook Trail is 3 miles long and rated easy to moderate. It offers a view of Blodgett Canyon that extends to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The length and difficulty give you a clear point of reference, while the view links the canyon with the wilderness beyond.
Geographic and Outdoor Recreation Highlights
Lost Trail is located on the Continental Divide along Highway 93, where Montana and Idaho meet. At Chief Joseph Pass, there are more than 13 miles of groomed ski trails. These two details offer different points of reference: Lost Trail is described by its location at the state border, while the length and groomed condition of the trails are the focus at Chief Joseph Pass.
For a regional route, the Bitterroot Trail is a 50-mile paved path that runs from Missoula to Hamilton along the Bitterroot River.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Darby, Hamilton, Judith Basin County, Custer County, Madison County, Missoula County, Carter County, Gallatin.
For the main travel overview: Montana.
