One of the many popular spots in Mission Valley Montana is located between the St. Ignatius Mission and The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is the CSKT Bison Range.
The CSKT Bison Range is a historical wildlife conservation area home to roughly 350 bison. It was originally founded in 1908 as the National Bison Range on land belonging to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). In recognition to their historical claim to both the land and the bison herd, the Bison Range was officially restored to the CSKT by Congress in 202 as part of Public Law 116-260. As of 2022, the Bison Range is fully owned and managed by the CSKT Natural Resource Department.
Visitors to the Bison Range can enjoy a self-directed driving tour along two scenic drives. Our main tour road is Red Sleep Drive, which goes over Red Sleep Mountain. Combined with the lower Prairie Drive, it forms a 19 mile, 2 hour loop. Red Sleep Drive is only open during the summer (May-Oct) and has two walking trails. The drive includes scenic views of the valley as well as possibly spotting bears, birds, and other interesting species.
General Information
Pay fees at the Visitor Center.
Visitor Center
The best place to start your visit is at the Visitor Center. Here you will find informative displays and handouts, restrooms, videos, a bookstore, and staff to answer your questions. Pay entrance fees here.
Auto Tours
Prairie Drive/West Loop: a 5-mile gravel road that travels through the flats. It is open to trailers and large RVs. It goes by the Bison Display Pasture. Plan for 1/2 hour. Open year round.
Red Sleep Mountain Drive: a 19-mile, one-way, gravel road which gains 2,000 feet. There are many switchbacks and 10% grades along the drive. Allow 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Open mid-May to late October.
Walking Trails:
Hiking is limited on the Range to a few short walking trails. A mile-long Nature Trail is located at the Picnic Area and 1/4-mile Grassland Trail is at the Visitor Center. The 1/2-mile Bitterroot Trail and 1-mile High Point trail are both located off the Red Sleep Mountain Drive.
Picnic Area
The Range has a picnic area near Mission Creek. There are tables, grills, water, and accessible toilets. A covered pavilion is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no garbage cans, so please pack out all trash.
How to get here from:
Missoula: Travel north on US Highway 93 to Ravalli, turn left(to the west) on to State Highway 200, travel approximately 5 miles to the junction of Highways 200 and 212, turn right(to the north) and travel approximately 5 miles to the entrance of the Range at Moiese.
Kalispell: Travel south on US Highway 93 or State Highway 35 to Polson, then travel Highway 93 through Pablo and Ronan to the junction of Highway 93 and State Highway 212, travel 12 miles (through Charlo) to the entrance of the Range at Moiese.
The west: Travel Highway 200 through Dixon to the junction of Highways 200 and 212, turn left(to the north) and travel approximately 5 miles to the entrance of the Range at Moiese.
CSKT Bison Range
https://www.bisonrange.org
58355 Bison Range Rd
Charlo, MT 59824
(406) 644-2211
bisonrange@cskt.org