By editor
Lake County, Mission Valley
Formerly known as the National Bison Range, this massive reserve is now managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Rising sharply from the floor of the Mission Valley, the range encompasses nearly nineteen thousand acres of Palouse prairie, Douglas fir forest, and steep, rocky canyons. While famous for its large mammals, it is also an exceptional birding location.
The steep elevation gradients mean a birder can start the day watching Western Meadowlarks and Grasshopper Sparrows in the valley grasslands, and end it listening to Townsend's Solitaires and Clark's Nutcrackers in the high timber. The rocky outcrops are excellent for Canyon Wrens and Rock Wrens. Raptors are abundant, with Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and Prairie Falcons hunting the open slopes.
Visitor Access
The Bison Range is a fee-use area; day passes are $20 per personal vehicle (Federal Park Passes are not accepted). The range features two spectacular, steep, and winding auto tour routes: the short Prairie Drive and the long, high-elevation Red Sleep Drive. Red Sleep Drive is closed during the winter months due to snow and ice. Visitors must remain in or immediately adjacent to their vehicles, except at designated walking trails and picnic areas.