Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Distance
- Roadside; no foot trails open in core
- Elevation gain
- None
- Season
- Year-round
- Managed by
- USFWS
- Permit
- Not required
- Access road
- Paved; access from US 93 and Old US 93
Ninepipes National Wildlife Refuge protects roughly two thousand acres of wetland in the south Mission Valley, between Charlo and Ronan. The refuge is on the Pacific Flyway and is a stop for migrating waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and shorebirds. Resident species include red-tailed hawks, marsh wrens, great blue herons, and a wintering bald eagle population.
The refuge interior is largely closed to entry to protect ground-nesting birds, especially during the March-through-July nesting season. The auto tour route along the south edge of the refuge stays open and gives the best year-round access. Several pullouts on Old US 93 give long views over the ponds and grassland.
The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana, listed in the business directory, sits on the same road and pairs naturally with a refuge visit. November and March are the strongest migration windows. No fee, no permit, daylight hours only.
Features
Current conditions, hours, and permit rules change. Always check the authoritative source before going. See the full permits and licenses guide →