lee metcalf national wildlife refuge

I love the LMNWR since moving to MT in mid 2014. It is a place for me to relax and meditate. There are many variety of critters that roam the refuge. I take my grandkids with me when they spend time with me (ages 9 & 6) and they too, love what they see at the refuge. Every season has something special to offer every person. Don't miss the chance to visit; it's in my back yard!

We love walking the dog here on days we don't have time to go on "a real hike". Mellow flat, some paved, trails. Natural settings, close to town, really great for what it is. Usually come across deer and various birds.

Nice trail. There is some significant erosion of the paved trail at the end, but the unpaved trails are a very nice alternative. Great variety of wildlife. Nice preserve.

Migration route which brings an incredible variety of birds into view on easily accessible paths. Plus a very fine education center which informs even the most educated border.

Really nice facility. Great walks around the area. It was really fun to see all the waterfowl and other birds.

Frequent running trial...often see geese, snow geese, deer, turkeys, blue herons, sand hill cranes and ducks. Love the peace and the respect of other visitors. I go at least weekly.

Located along the Bitterroot river, the refuge is a great place to observe birds and have a walk along the river. Go anytime during the year and the view will be different. Very good views of the Bitterroot Mountains reflected off some of the ponds.

The trail was eroded at the river and the alternate route was not clearly marked. Lots of unfriendly dogs off leash. Dog poop on trail. It looks like nobody works at this refuge. Need to remove dams from creek and restore free flow of stream. Too much man-made fences, dams, duck blinds, let it be natural.

A leisurely drive at sunset and we seen wild turkeys, pheasants, deer, geese, ducks, osprey and several birds. Just beautiful. Nature at it's finest!

The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is a nice quiet spot to stop over and catch your breath if you are headed up highway 93 toward Missoula or Glacier National Park. it is not a highly developed site so do not look for paved and manicured trails and sophisticated facilities. Refreshingly, you won't find crowds here either. The visitor center is staffed by very knowledgeable folks who can tell you what to look for in any given season. On my last visit with friends I saw an Osprey fishing and taking its catch to its nest. I also got a good long look at a Great Blue Heron. The place belongs to the wildlife and provides a serene place to see it.

Great place to visit. Just east of downtown on the East Side Highway. There is always wildlife to see, no matter the time of year. Many trails, knowledgeable staff.

We took a walk on a dirt trail that was poorly maintained. It had lots of weeds, holes in the trail and overgrown with vegetation. It was a hot day and very little shade- need more trees. The fence enclosures around everything was very unsightly.

The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge was my favorite place for photographing birds in the area of Missoula. A short drive from Missoula takes you to this great place for birding including nests for Osprey, Great Blue Heron, ducks, and black birds among others. In addition, I also spotted deer. Bring mosquito repellent especially later in the day near dusk. That is a definite must. Also bring water and a camera with a telephoto lens. The nests are a bit removed from the roadway but I was still able to get some great shots with a 100-400 mm lens.

There are lots of trails to ponds to view birds (no dogs). There are also trails in the grasses and along the river where dogs on leashes are welcome. There is a paved trail that is handicapped accessible to the river and through a riparian area. Lots of birds!

Wonderful wildlife area; free of charge and easy to get to. The paths are easy for walking right along the Bitteroot River.