National Wildlife Refuge

Authorized Public Uses

Lost Trail

Welcome

Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge 

(NWR) is the 519th refuge inducted into 

the National Wildlife Refuge System. We 

invite the public to the Refuge for hunting, 

wildlife observation, wildlife photography, 

environmental education, and access to 

adjacent State and Plum Creek Timber 

Company (PCTC) lands. Public use and 

access is permitted as described in this 

leaflet.

General Information

This 8,905-acre Refuge, established in 1999, 

is managed for the benefit of migratory 

birds and resident wildlife species. The 

Refuge shares portions of its boundary 

with PCTC, the Montana Department of 

Natural Resources and Conservation 

(DNRC), and private landowners.

Directions

The Refuge can be reached via 

Highway 2 by going west from Kalispell 

approximately 20 miles to Marion. Turn 

right at Marion onto Pleasant Valley Road. 

After approximately 1.3 miles, the blacktop 

road will fork. Stay right; continue on 

Pleasant Valley Road for an additional

161⁄2 miles; the Refuge headquarters is 

located north of Pleasant Valley Road.

Parking on the Refuge

■ Parking is allowed in designated 

parking areas only, as identified 

on the map.

■ Blocking roads or gates is prohibited.

State Land

Four parcels of State land within the 

“executive boundary” of the Refuge are 

owned and managed by the DNRC. These 

parcels are not part of the Refuge and are 

open to public recreation according to 

State law. A Recreational Use License is 

required and can be obtained from any 

authorized Montana Fish, Wildlife and 

Parks license agent.

Authorized Public Uses

■ Visitors are allowed to observe or 

photograph wildlife, hike, cross-country 

ski, or snowshoe throughout the 

Refuge, except in the seasonally 

Closed Area from September 1 

through December 10 (see map).

■ PCTC’s “Open Lands Policy” 

provides recreational rules and 

guidelines for PCTC lands; copies 

are available at any PCTC office.

■ Mountain bike (non-motorized) 

and horseback riders must remain 

on Refuge roads as shown on the 

map. Horse or pack stock users 

must use weed-free hay only.

■ Regulations and further information 

are available at the Refuge 

headquarters. 

To Protect You and the Refuge

■ Shooting into a closed area is 

prohibited.

■ Persons possessing, transporting, or 

carrying firearms on National Wildlife 

Refuge System lands must comply with 

all provisions of State and local law. 

Persons may only use (discharge) 

firearms in accordance with refuge 

regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific 

refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32).

■ Pets must be on a leash and attended at 

all times.

■ Motorized vehicle use is allowed 

on the North 1019 Road, Orr Road, 

Pleasant Valley Road, and the Dahl 

Lake spur road (except during 

September 1 - December 10 closure). 

■ Off-road vehicle travel is prohibited. 

■ Collecting, injuring, disturbing, 

destroying, or harming animals, animal 

parts (including horns), or plants is not 

permitted unless authorized.

■ Open fires are prohibited.

■ Overnight camping is prohibited.

Refuge Hunting Regulations

Hunting on the Refuge, except in the 

designated Closed Area, is permitted 

for elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, 

turkey, and mountain grouse. Refuge 

regulations prohibit hunting or shooting 

any other animals, including coyotes, 

gray wolves, or ground squirrels. The 

Closed Area is outlined on the map. 

This area is closed to all public access 

from September 1 through December 

10. All State of Montana hunting 

regulations apply; in addition, the 

following Refuge regulations apply:

■ The first week of both archery and general 

deer and elk season are open to youthonly (ages 12-15) hunting. A non-hunting 

adult at least 18 years of age must 

accompany the youth hunter in the field.

■ Guiding or outfitting is prohibited.

■ Hunters need to obtain a Refuge 

retrieval permit before retrieving 

game from within the Closed Area.

■ Portable or temporary blinds or 

tree stands are permitted, but must 

be removed on a daily basis.

■ Mountain bike (non-motorized) and horse 

or pack stock users must remain on 

Refuge roads as shown on the map, and 

respect the seasonally Closed Area.

■ Dogs may not be used for hunting.

■ Trapping is not permitted.

■ When hunting grouse or turkey on 

the Refuge, only a shotgun no larger 

than a 10-gauge and federally approved 

non-toxic shot may be used.

Accessibility Information 

Equal opportunity to participate in and 

benefit from programs and activities of the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available 

to all individuals regardless of physical 

or mental ability. Dial 711 for a free 

connection to the State relay service for 

TTY and voice calls to and from the speech 

and hearing impaired. For information 

or to address accessibility needs, please 

contact the Refuge staff at 406 / 858 2216, 

or the U.S. Department of the Interior, 

Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C 

Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

This goose, designed by 

J.N. “Ding” Darling, is 

the symbol of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Lost Trail

National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge boundaryPlum Creek Timber Company landState DNRC landsClosed Area Sept. 1 through Dec. 10Areas open to authorized public usesPrivate Land (PVT)

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Public Hunting AreaAreas behind this sign are open to public hunting for deer, elk, turkey, and mountain grouse only.

Refuge Signs And Their MeaningRefuge BoundaryAreas behind this sign are open to permitted activities only.Regulations and further information are available at the Refuge headquarters.

No HuntingAreas behind this sign are closed to hunting.

Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge6295 Pleasant Valley RoadMarion, MT 59925406 / 858 2216406 / 858 2218 faxhttp://www.fws.gov/losttrailU.S. Fish and Wildlife Servicehttp://www.fws.govFor Refuge Information1 800 / 344 WILD

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks490 N. MeridianKalispell, MT 59901406 / 752 5501http://fwp.mt.govPlum CreekTimber CompanyP.O. Box 8990Kalispell, MT 59904406 / 751 2400

Montana Department of Natural Resourcesand Conservation2250 Hwy 93 NorthKalispell, MT 59901406 / 751 2240http://dnrc.mt.govFor State relay serviceTTY / Voice: 711April 2013