By editor
Flathead County, Kalispell
Tucked into the eastern outskirts of Kalispell, the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area is a four hundred and forty-two acre remnant of the wild riparian forests that once lined the rivers of the Flathead Valley. Bordered by the Stillwater River, it is a dense, tangled sanctuary of mature cottonwoods, spruce, and thick underbrush.
This is a place of shadows and song. The old-growth cottonwoods provide critical nesting cavities for Wood Ducks, Vaux's Swifts, and a variety of owls. A large Great Blue Heron rookery is located on one of the river islands. In the spring, the dense shrub layer is alive with migrating and breeding songbirds, including Red-eyed Vireos, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Northern Waterthrushes. Because the habitat is so dense, birding here requires patience and a reliance on ear-birding.
Visitor Access
Managed cooperatively by Flathead Audubon and Montana Audubon, the area requires a Montana Conservation License for entry ($8 for residents, $10 for non-residents). It is open year-round for walk-in use only. The first six hundred feet of the main trail from the Treasure Lane entrance is wheelchair accessible. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground, muddy conditions in the spring, and dense vegetation.