By editor
Beaverhead County, Centennial Valley
The Centennial Valley is a high, remote, and intensely beautiful trench just north of the Idaho border, flanked by the Centennial Mountains and the Gravelly Range. At the heart of this valley lies Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1939 specifically to save the Trumpeter Swan from extinction, the refuge is a masterpiece of conservation and one of the most pristine wetland complexes in the Rocky Mountains.
The Trumpeter Swan, the heaviest flying bird in North America, remains the defining presence here. Their resonant, horn-like calls carry for miles across the marsh. But the refuge is equally vital for other species. In the wet meadows, Sandhill Cranes perform their leaping courtship dances. White-faced Ibis probe the shallows with their decurved bills, while Long-billed Dowitchers and Wilson's Phalaropes gather on the mudflats. The surrounding sagebrush slopes are hunting grounds for Golden Eagles and Prairie Falcons, making this a location of profound ecological density.
Visitor Access
Entry to the refuge is free. The roads are rough dirt and gravel; four-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended, and travel is impossible during prolonged rain or snowmelt. The visitor center is closed from November through May. Camping is available at Upper and Lower Red Rock Lake campgrounds ($7 per night). The area around Shambow Pond is closed year-round. Visitors must carry bear spray, as grizzly bears are present throughout the refuge.